Maximum residue levels for acetamiprid
- Pesticide MRLs
Summary
The European Union (EU) has raised the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for acetamiprid on plums, linseeds, poppy seeds, mustard seeds, gold of pleasure seeds, soyabeans, and honey (Regulation 2025/1212).
This follows MRL reductions in January 2025 (Regulation 2025/158) on many products, with reductions to the limit of determination (LOD) on asparagus, bananas, chards, currants, escaroles, lettuces, and spinach. (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.)
EU amends acetamiprid MRLs for plums; linseeds; poppy, mustard, and gold of pleasure seeds; soybeans; and honey
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1212 of 24 June 2025 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for acetamiprid in or on certain products
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/158 of 29 January 2025 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for acetamiprid in or on certain products
Update
The European Union (EU) has raised the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for acetamiprid on plums, linseeds, poppy seeds, mustard seeds, gold of pleasure seeds, soyabeans, and honey (Regulation 2025/1212).
This follows MRL reductions in January 2025 (Regulation 2025/158) on many products, with reductions to the limit of determination (LOD) on asparagus, bananas, chards, currants, escaroles, lettuces, and spinach. (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.)
Impacted Products
Apples, pears, quinces, medlars, apricots, cherries, peaches, plums, table grapes, wine grapes, blackberries, raspberries (red, yellow), blueberries, cranberries, gooseberries (green, red, yellow), currants (black, red, white), elderberries, table olives, bananas, tomatoes, sweet peppers/ bell peppers, cucumbers, courgettes, melons, pumpkins, watermelons, broccoli, cauliflowers, head cabbages, lamb’s lettuces/ corn salads, Roman rocket/ rucola, lettuces, escaroles/ broad-leaved endives, red mustards, spinaches, chards/ beet leaves, asparagus, poppy seeds, mustard seeds, gold of pleasure seeds, soybeans, bovine liver, bovine edible offals (other than liver and kidney), honey
What is changing?
The EU amended the MRLs for acetamiprid in January and June 2025, as summarised in Table 1.
Why?
Following a request by the European Commission to review the toxicological properties and MRLs for acetamiprid, the European Food Safety Authority identified a lower acceptable daily intake (ADI) and a lower acute reference dose (ARfD) (EFSA 2024a). For products where the existing MRLs caused the new ARfD to be exceeded, EFSA suggested lower MRLs that pose no health risks for the consumer.
EFSA evaluated requests for MRL modifications on plums, linseeds, poppy seeds, mustard seeds, gold of pleasure seeds, and honey, and concluded that they were acceptable with regard to consumer safety (EFSA 2022). In 2024, Codex Alimentarius adopted a maximum residue limit (CXL) of 0.01mg/kg for soybean which EFSA reviewed and concluded to be safe for consumers (EFSA 2024b).
Timeline
The MRLs adopted under Regulation 2025/158 apply from 19 August 2025. Suppliers exporting products before 19 August 2025 must ensure that these products already comply with the new MRLs if they are expected to remain on the market after 19 August 2025.
The MRLs adopted under Regulation 2025/1212 apply from 20 August 2025.
Recommended Actions
Suppliers to the EU market of asparagus, bananas, chards, currants, escaroles, lettuces, and spinach should review their current use of acetamiprid and seek alternative solutions. Suppliers of other affected products should review their use of acetamiprid and assess whether any changes will be needed to existing good agricultural practices (GAP).
A new review of this substance will be carried out in February 2027. Suppliers should continue to monitor levels of acetamiprid and the GAP for its use in apples, pears, quinces, apricots, sweet peppers, cucumbers, and courgettes, so that data can be submitted to the Commission before 24 September 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.
Resources
EFSA (2022) Modification of the existing maximum residue levels for acetamiprid in honey and various oilseed crops. EFSA Journal, 20(8): 7535.
EFSA (2024a) Statement on the toxicological properties and maximum residue levels of acetamiprid and its metabolites. EFSA Journal, 22(5): e8759.
EFSA (2024b) Scientific support for preparing an EU position in the 55th Session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR). EFSA Journal, 22(7): e8841.
Sources
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 amends acetamiprid MRLs for plums; linseeds; poppy, mustard, and gold of pleasure seeds; soybeans; and honey
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1212 as regards maximum residue levels for acetamiprid in or on certain products
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/158 as regards maximum residue levels for acetamiprid in or on certain products
What is changing and why?
The European Union (EU) has raised the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for acetamiprid on plums, linseeds, poppy seeds, mustard seeds, gold of pleasure seeds, soyabeans, and honey (Regulation 2025/1212).
This follows MRL reductions in January 2025 (Regulation 2025/158) on many products, with the most significant reductions on asparagus, bananas, chards, currants, escaroles, lettuces, and spinach. For these products, the MRLs are reduced to the limit of determination (LOD, the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods).
The changes to MRLs are set out in Table 1.
Actions
Suppliers to the EU market of asparagus, bananas, chards, currants, escaroles, lettuces, and spinach should review their current use of acetamiprid and seek alternative solutions. Suppliers of other affected products should review their use of acetamiprid and assess whether any changes will be needed to existing good agricultural practices (GAP).
A new review of this substance will be carried out in February 2027. Suppliers should continue to monitor levels of acetamiprid and the GAP for its use in apples, pears, quinces, apricots, sweet peppers, cucumbers, and courgettes, so that data can be submitted to the Commission before 24 September 2026.
Timeline
The MRLs adopted under Regulation 2025/158 apply from 19 August 2025. Suppliers exporting products before 19 August 2025 must ensure that these products already comply with the new MRLs if they are expected to remain on the market after 19 August 2025.
The MRLs adopted under Regulation 2025/1212 apply from 20 August 2025.
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.