Maximum residue levels for azoxystrobin
- Pesticide MRLs
Summary
The EU has increased the maximum residue level (MRL) for azoxystrobin on melons and watermelons. This follows MRL increases on papaya and chicory roots in October 2024, and on hops in April 2024.
EU raises MRL for azoxystrobin on melons and watermelons
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1305 of 2 July 2025 amending Annexes II, III and IV to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for amidosulfuron, azoxystrobin, hexythiazox, isoxaben, picloram, propamocarb, sodium silver thiosulfate and tefluthrin in or on certain products
Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/2633 of 8 October 2024 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for azoxystrobin, famoxadone, flutriafol, mandipropamid and mefentrifluconazole in or on certain products
Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/1078 of 15 April 2024 amending Annexes II and IV to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for azoxystrobin, flonicamid, isofetamid, mefentrifluconazole, metazachlor, pyrimethanil and quartz sand in or on certain products
Update
The EU has increased the maximum residue level (MRL) for azoxystrobin on melons and watermelons. This follows MRL increases on papaya and chicory roots in October 2024, and on hops in April 2024.
Impacted Products
Papayas, melons, watermelons, chicory roots, hops, lamb’s lettuces, corn salads, lettuces, escaroles, broadleaved endives, cresses, sprouts and shoots, land cresses, Roman rocket, rucola, red mustards, baby leaf crops
What is changing?
The MRL for azoxystrobin on melons and watermelons has now been raised from 1 to 6 mg/kg (Regulation 2025/1305).
In October 2024, the MRL for azoxystrobin on papayas was raised from 0.3 to 4 mg/kg, and on chicory roots from 0.09 to 1 mg/kg (Regulation 2024/2633).
In April 2024, the MRL for azoxystrobin on hops was raised from 30 to 40 mg/kg (Regulation 2024/1078).
Why?
Following an application for an import tolerance on melons and watermelons, EFSA (2024) concluded that the proposed MRLs are acceptable for consumer safety.
On 2 December 2023, the Codex Alimentarius Commission adopted new Codex maximum residue limits (CXLs) for azoxystrobin on papayas and on chicory roots, for which the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA 2023a) did not identify risks to consumers in the EU.
Following a request for modification of the MRL for azoxystrobin in hops, EFSA (2023b) concluded that the proposed MRL is acceptable for consumer safety.
Timeline
- The new MRLs on melons and watermelons apply from 23 July 2025.
- The MRLs on papayas and chicory roots apply since 29 October 2024.
- The MRL on hops apply since 6 May 2024.
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 (2020) Evaluation of confirmatory data following the Article 12 MRL review and modification of the existing maximum residue levels for azoxystrobin. EFSA Journal, 18(8): 6231.
EFSA (2023a) Scientific support for preparing an EU position in the 54th Session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR). EFSA Journal, 21(8): 8111.
EFSA (2023b) Modification of the existing maximum residue level for azoxystrobin in hops. EFSA Journal, 21(8): 8124.
EFSA (2024) Setting of import tolerances for azoxystrobin in melons and watermelons. EFSA Journal, 22: e9130.
Sources
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EU raises MRL for azoxystrobin on melons and watermelons
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1305
Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/2633
Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/1078
What is changing and why?
The European Union (EU) has increased the maximum residue level (MRL) for azoxystrobin on melons and watermelons from 1 to 6 mg/kg.
In October 2024, the MRL for azoxystrobin on papayas was raised from 0.3 to 4 mg/kg, and on chicory roots from 0.09 to 1 mg/kg. This followed the evaluation of newly adopted Codex MRLs for which the European Food Safety Authority did not identify risks to EU consumers.
In April 2024, the MRL for azoxystrobin on hops was raised from 30 to 40 mg/kg.
Timeline
The new MRL on melons and watermelons applies from 23 July 2025.
The MRLs on papayas and chicory roots has applied since 29 October 2024.
The MRL on hops has applied since 6 May 2024.
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.