Maximum residue levels for carbofuran
- Pesticide MRLs
Summary
The European Union (EU) has notified the World Trade Organization Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO SPS) Committee of a draft proposal to reduce the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for carbofuran on cotton seeds to the limit of determination (LOD) (G/SPS/N/EU/943). (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.)
EU to lower MRL for carbofuran in cotton seeds to limit of determination
Draft Commission Regulation 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 (PLAN/2025/2832)
Update
The European Union (EU) has notified the World Trade Organization Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO SPS) Committee of a draft proposal to reduce the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for carbofuran on cotton seeds to the limit of determination (LOD) (G/SPS/N/EU/943). (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.)
Impacted Products
Cotton seeds
What is changing?
The EU proposes to lower the MRL for carbofuran on cotton seeds from 0.1 mg/kg to the LOD (0.02 mg/kg).
Why?
Where pesticides are no longer approved in the EU, MRLs are reduced to the LOD unless there are MRLs set by Codex Alimentarius (CXLs) or requests for import tolerances that have been evaluated to be safe by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA 2025). Carbofuran is not approved in the EU and the existing CXL for cotton seeds was revoked in 2024.
Timeline
The new MRL is expected to apply from September 2027.
Recommended Actions
Suppliers to the EU market of cotton seeds should look for alternative chemical and non-chemical solutions to the use of carbofuran.
Competent authorities of countries that are members of the WTO can submit comments on the EU’s proposal by emailing the EU SPS Enquiry Point until 30 June 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.
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
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EU to lower MRL for carbofuran in cotton seeds to limit of determination
Draft Commission Regulation as regards maximum residue levels for carbofuran, imazalil, mandipropamid, propaquizafop, quizalofop-P-ethyl and quizalofop-P-tefuryl in or on certain products
Draft Annex (PLAN/2025/2832)
What is changing and why?
The European Union (EU) proposes to lower the maximum residue level (MRL) for carbofuran on cotton seeds from 0.1 mg/kg to the limit of determination (LOD) of 0.02 mg/kg. (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.)
Carbofuran is not approved in the EU, and the Codex Alimentarius MRL on which the EU MRL was based was revoked in 2024.
Actions
Suppliers to the EU market of cotton seeds should look for alternative chemical and non-chemical solutions to the use of carbofuran.
Competent authorities of countries that are members of the World Trade Organization can submit comments on the EU’s proposal by emailing the EU SPS Enquiry Point until 30 June 2026.
Timeline
The new MRL is expected to apply from September 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.