Maximum residue levels for carbofuran
- Pesticide MRLs
Summary
The European Union (EU) is discussing lowering the maximum residue level (MRL) for carbofuran in cotton seeds to the limit of determination (LOD, the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods).
EU discusses lowering the MRL for carbofuran in cotton seeds to the LOD
Draft Commission Regulation (EU) 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 carbofuran, imazalil, mandipropamid, propaquizafop, quizalofop-P-ethyl and quizalofop-P-tefuryl in or on certain products
Draft Annex V (PLAN/2025/2832)
Update
The European Union (EU) is discussing lowering the maximum residue level (MRL) for carbofuran in cotton seeds to the limit of determination (LOD, the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods).
Impacted Products
Cotton seeds
What is changing?
The EU is discussing lowering the MRL for carbofuran in cotton seeds from 0.1 mg/kg to the LOD (0.02 mg/kg).
Why?
Carbofuran is not approved in the EU and there are no import tolerances requested for cotton seeds.
Timeline
The MRL under discussion is expected to apply from mid-2027.
Recommended Actions
Suppliers to the EU market of cotton seeds should start to explore alternative chemical and non-chemical solutions to the use of carbofuran.
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.
The EU takes into account Codex MRLs (CXLs) established by Codex Alimentarius. In November 2024, the Codex Alimentarius Commission revoked some CXLs for the active substance carbofuran (EFSA 2025).
Resources
EFSA (2025) Assessment of fall-back MRLs for revoked CXLs previously implemented in the EU legislation. EFSA Journal, 23(3): e9299
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 discusses lowering the MRL for carbofuran in cotton seeds to the LOD
Draft Commission Regulation (EU) as regards maximum residue levels for carbofuran, imazalil, mandipropamid, propaquizafop, quizalofop-P-ethyl and quizalofop-P-tefuryl in or on certain products
Draft Annex V (PLAN/2025/2832)
What is changing and why?
The European Union (EU) is discussing lowering the maximum residue level (MRL) for carbofuran in cotton seeds from 0.1 mg/kg to the limit of determination (0.02 mg/kg). Carbofuran is not approved in the EU and there are no import tolerances requested for cotton seeds.
Actions
Suppliers to the EU market of cotton seeds should start to explore alternative chemical and non-chemical solutions to the use of carbofuran.
Timeline
The MRL under discussion is expected to apply from mid-2027.
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.