Maximum residue levels for carbendazim
- Pesticide MRLs
- Pesticides
Summary
The European Union (EU) has reduced the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for carbendazim to the limit of determination (LOD) on all products. (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.)
EU reduces carbendazim MRLs to limit of determination on all products
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/1546 of 8 July 2026 amending Annexes II, III and V to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for benomyl, carbendazim and thiophanate-methyl in or on certain products
Update
The European Union (EU) has reduced the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for carbendazim to the limit of determination (LOD) on all products. (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.)
Impacted Products
All products
What is changing?
The EU has lowered the MRLs for carbendazim to the LOD (0.01–0.05 mg/kg) on all products. The changes are summarised in Table 1. The European Commission has also adopted the new residue definitions for carbendazim proposed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA 2024). The previous EU definition of carbendazim included benomyl, but the EU has now set separate MRLs for the two substances (see Maximum residue levels for benomyl).
Why?
Carbendazim is no longer authorised in the EU as there has been no application for reapproval.
The European Food Standards Authority (EFSA 2021) suggested reducing the MRLs for carbendazim to the LOD, except on certain products where levels are considered to be safe. It proposed increased MRLs on lemons, limes, and mandarins, aligning with good agricultural practices (GAPs) observed in South Africa; and a lower MRL considered to be safe for carbendazim on okra/lady’s fingers, also derived from GAPs in non-EU countries. However, the GAPs previously submitted are no longer authorised in South Africa. In addition, there are concerns about the risks of combined residues from carbendazim and thiophanate-methyl.
Timeline
The new MRLs apply from 29 January 2027.
Products put on the EU market before 29 January 2027 that comply with current EU MRLs may remain on the market after that date, even if residues in the products exceed the new MRLs.
Exception: due to concerns about risks to the consumer, grapefruits, oranges, papayas, and mangoes that exceed carbendazim MRLs may not remain on the market after 29 January 2027, even if they were compliant with current MRLs when put on the market before that date.
Recommended Actions
Suppliers of all products to the EU market should seek chemical and non-chemical alternatives to the use of carbendazim.
Background
In September 2024, the European Parliament rejected a European Commission Regulation that proposed to reduce the MRLs for carbendazim to the LOD on all products except lemons, limes, mandarins, and okra (see Maximum residue levels for benomyl, carbendazim, thiophanate-methyl, cyproconazole, and spirodiclofen). The European Parliament requested the Commission to withdraw its draft Regulation and present a new one, setting the MRLs for carbendazim on all products to the LOD.
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 (2021) Reasoned opinion on the toxicological properties and maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the benzimidazole substances carbendazim and thiophanate-methyl. EFSA Journal, 19(8): e06773.
EFSA (2024) Updated reasoned opinion on the toxicological properties and maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the benzimidazole substances carbendazim and thiophanate-methyl. EFSA Journal, 22(2): e8569.
European Commission (2025a) Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed: Section Phytopharmaceuticals – Pesticide Residues, 17–18 February 2025. Summary Report.
European Commission (2025b) Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed: Section Phytopharmaceuticals – Pesticide Residues, 23–24 June 2025. Agenda.
Sources
Regulation (EU) 2026/1546 as regards maximum residue levels for benomyl, carbendazim and thiophanate-methyl in or on certain products
Tables & Figures
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EU reduces carbendazim MRLs to limit of determination on all products
Regulation (EU) 2026/1546 as regards maximum residue levels for benomyl, carbendazim and thiophanate-methyl in or on certain products
What is changing and why?
The European Union (EU) has reduced the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for carbendazim to the limit of determination (LOD) on all products. (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.)
Actions
Suppliers of all products to the EU market should seek chemical and non-chemical alternatives to the use of carbendazim.
Timeline
The new MRLs apply from 29 January 2027.
Products put on the EU market before 29 January 2027 that comply with current EU MRLs may remain on the market after that date, even if residues in the products exceed the new MRLs.
Exception: due to concerns about risks to the consumer, grapefruits, oranges, papayas, and mangoes that exceed carbendazim MRLs may not remain on the market after 29 January 2027, even if they were compliant with current MRLs when put on the market before that date.
Tables & Figures
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.