Maximum residue levels for acequinocyl
- Food safety
- Pesticide MRLs
Summary
The European Union (EU) is discussing an increase in the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for acequinocyl on blueberries, cranberries, currants, and gooseberries. This follows an increase in the MRL for strawberries in February 2026.
EU discusses increases to MRLs for acequinocyl on blueberries, cranberries, currants, and gooseberries
Draft Commission Regulation amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for acequinocyl, deltamethrin, dodine, maleic hydrazide, pinoxaden and prothioconazole in or on certain products
Draft Annex [PLAN/2025/3053]
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/140 of 22 January 2026 amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for acequinocyl, chlormequat, metalaxyl-M, pyraclostrobin, sulfoxaflor and trifloxystrobin in or on certain products
Update
The European Union (EU) is discussing an increase in the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for acequinocyl on blueberries, cranberries, currants, and gooseberries. This follows an increase in the MRL for strawberries in February 2026.
Impacted Products
Blueberries, cranberries, currants, gooseberries, strawberries
What is changing?
The EU is discussing increasing the MRLs for acequinocyl on blueberries, cranberries, currants (black, red, and white), and gooseberries (green, red, and yellow) from the limit of determination (LOD) of 0.01 mg/kg to 2 mg/kg. (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.)
In February 2026, the EU increased the MRL for acequinocyl on strawberries from 0.01 to 0.3 mg/kg.
Why?
Following an application for a change of MRLs by the producer of acequinocyl, the European Food Safety Authority evaluated the requested changes and concluded that they do not pose a risk for consumers (EFSA 2025b).
Timeline
The new MRLs on blueberries, cranberries, currants, and gooseberries are expected to apply in the second half of 2026.
The new MRL on strawberries applies from 11 February 2026.
Background
MRLs are set in accordance with the rules set out in Regulation 396/2005. For information on current MRLs for other substances, please consult the EU Pesticide Residues database. For further information on the setting of import tolerances, see Pesticide residue import tolerance MRLs explained.
The change to the MRL on strawberries in February 2026 followed a review by EFSA (2025a).
Resources
EFSA (2025a) Modification of the existing maximum residue level for acequinocyl in strawberries. EFSA Journal, 23(1): e9207.
EFSA (2025b) Modification of the existing maximum residue level for acequinocyl in various crops. EFSA Journal, 23(12): e9810.
Sources
Draft Commission Regulation as regards maximum residue levels for acequinocyl, deltamethrin, dodine, maleic hydrazide, pinoxaden and prothioconazole in or on certain products
Draft Annex [PLAN/2025/3053]
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/140 as regards maximum residue levels for acequinocyl, chlormequat, metalaxyl-M, pyraclostrobin, sulfoxaflor and trifloxystrobin in or on certain products
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.
EU discusses increases to MRLs for acequinocyl on blueberries, cranberries, currants, and gooseberries
Draft Commission Regulation as regards maximum residue levels for acequinocyl, deltamethrin, dodine, maleic hydrazide, pinoxaden and prothioconazole in or on certain products
Draft Annex [PLAN/2025/3053]
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/140 as regards maximum residue levels for acequinocyl, chlormequat, metalaxyl-M, pyraclostrobin, sulfoxaflor and trifloxystrobin in or on certain products
What is changing and why?
The European Union (EU) is discussing increasing the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for acequinocyl on blueberries, cranberries, currants, and gooseberries from the limit of determination (LOD) of 0.01 mg/kg to 2 mg/kg. (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.) An application for a change of MRLs by the producer of acequinocyl was evaluated by the European Food Safety Authority, and the requested changes were found to be safe for consumers.
In February 2026, the EU increased the MRL for acequinocyl on strawberries from 0.01 (LOD) to 0.3 mg/kg.
Timeline
The new MRLs on blueberries, cranberries, currants, and gooseberries are expected to apply in the second half of 2026.
The new MRL on strawberries applies from 11 February 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.