Maximum residue level for recombinant equine chorionic gonadotropin (reCG)
- Veterinary residues
Summary
The European Union (EU) has decided that recombinant equine chorionic gonadotropin (reCG), a biological substance primarily used in veterinary medicines for treating horses, does not require a maximum residue level (MRL). This applies to its use in all food-producing species.
EU decides no MRL is required for recombinant equine chorionic gonadotropin (reCG)
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1806 of 24 July 2026 amending Regulation (EU) No 37/2010 as regards the classification of the substance recombinant equine chorionic gonadotropin with respect to its maximum residue limit in foodstuffs of animal origin
Update
The European Union (EU) has decided that recombinant equine chorionic gonadotropin (reCG), a biological substance primarily used in veterinary medicines for treating horses, does not require a maximum residue level (MRL). This applies to its use in all food-producing species.
Impacted Products
Foods of animal origin
What is changing?
The EU has decided that reCG, an active substance primarily used in veterinary medicines for the treatment of horses, does not require an MRL. It is therefore classified as “No MRL required” in the list of pharmacologically active substances (Regulation 37/2010, Annex, Table 1). This classification applies to all food-producing species.
Why?
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) evaluates biological substances under the EU’s residue control framework. Following a 2025 application for evaluation from Syn Vet-Pharma Ireland Limited, the EMA’s Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products (CVMP) concluded that no further MRL assessment was necessary because reCG is similar to naturally occurring substances and is expected to follow the same degradation process in the human digestive tract (CVMP 2026).
Timeline
The Regulation applies from 13 August 2026.
Background
A list of pharmacologically active substances that can be used in veterinary medicines for food-producing animals is set out in Regulation 37/2010. This list includes a classification regarding MRLs. Substances are assessed according to the risk principles set out in Regulation 2018/782.
Resources
CVMP (2026) Recombinant equine Chorionic Gonadotropin (reCG): Summary of assessment, 16 April.
Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/782 establishing the methodological principles for the risk assessment and risk management recommendations referred to in Regulation (EC) No 470/2009
Commission Regulation (EU) No 37/2010 on pharmacologically active substances and their classification regarding maximum residue limits in foodstuffs of animal origin
Sources
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1806 as regards the classification of the substance recombinant equine chorionic gonadotropin with respect to its maximum residue limit in foodstuffs of animal origin
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EU decides no MRL is required for recombinant equine chorionic gonadotropin (reCG)
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1806 as regards the classification of the substance recombinant equine chorionic gonadotropin with respect to its maximum residue limit in foodstuffs of animal origin
What is changing and why?
The EU has decided that a maximum residue limit (MRL) does not need to be set for recombinant equine chorionic gonadotropin (reCG), a substance mainly used in veterinary medicines for the treatment of horses. This decision applies to all food-producing species.
Timeline
The Regulation applies from 13 August 2026.
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.