Maximum residue levels for deltamethrin

Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/1342 of 21 May 2024 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for deltamethrin, metalaxyl, thiabendazole and trifloxystrobin in or on certain products

Corrigendum to Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/1342 of 21 May 2024 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for deltamethrin, metalaxyl, thiabendazole and trifloxystrobin in or on certain products

Update

The European Commission has decided to amend the maximum residue limits (MRLs) for deltamethrin on a wide range of products. For kiwi fruits, potatoes, cabbages, escaroles, globe artichokes, beans, oilseeds, and spices, the MRL is reduced to the limit of determination (LOD) of 0.01–0.05 mg/kg. (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.)

Impacted Products

Citrus fruits, grapefruits, oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins, tree nuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, cashew nuts, chestnuts, coconuts, hazelnuts/ cobnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nut kernels, pistachios, walnuts, pears, plums, blackberries, dewberries, raspberries, kiwi fruits, mangoes, papayas, potatoes, tomatoes, sweet peppers/ bell peppers, okra/ lady’s fingers, melons, watermelons, head cabbages, lettuces, escaroles/ broad-leaved endives, witloofs/ Belgian endives, chives, celery leaves, parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, basil and edible flowers, laurel/ bay leaves, tarragon, globe artichokes, beans, oilseeds, linseeds, peanuts/ groundnuts, sesame seeds, cotton seeds, pumpkin seeds, safflower seeds, poppy seeds, borage seeds, hemp seeds, castor beans, sunflower seeds, mustard seeds, gold of pleasure seeds, oil palms kernels, oil palms fruits, kapok, chamomile, hibiscus, rose, jasmine, lime/ linden, strawberry, rooibos, maté, cocoa beans, carobs, hops, spices, anise, black caraway/ black cumin, celery, coriander, cumin, dill, fennel, fenugreek, nutmeg, cinnamon, mace, allspice/ pimento, Sichuan pepper, caraway, cardamom, juniper berry, peppercorn, vanilla, tamarind, cloves, capers, saffron, sugar beetroots

What is changing?

The European Commission has lowered the MRLs for deltamethrin to the LOD of 0.01–0.05 mg/kg on kiwi fruits, potatoes, cabbages, escaroles, globe artichokes, oilseeds, and spices. It has also amended the MRLs for other products as summarised in Table 1.

Why?

The European Food Safety Authority assessed deltamethrin MRLs for various products based on available information (EFSA 2020, 2022a, 2022b, 2022c). For products where complete information was provided, EFSA recommended maintaining the existing MRLs.

For products where data gaps were not addressed, and for products with identified risks, EFSA suggested setting new, lower MRLs.

EFSA recommended new, higher MRLs for mangoes and papayas to prevent trade barriers, based on data submitted by the applicants.

Timeline

The new MRLs will apply from 11 December 2024. Products (except pears, potatoes, and lettuces) exported before 11 December 2024 that comply with the old MRLs will not be removed from the EU market after that date, even if they do not comply with the new MRLs.

Recommended Actions

Exporters of kiwi fruits, potatoes, cabbages, escaroles, globe artichokes, beans, oilseeds, and spices should review their current use of deltamethrin and look for possible alternative solutions or applications for further import tolerances.

Exporters of other affected products should assess whether current agricultural practices can comply with the proposed reduced MRLs.

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

Sources

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Regulation

Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/1342 as regards maximum residue levels for deltamethrin, metalaxyl, thiabendazole and trifloxystrobin in or on certain products

What is changing and why?

The EU is amending the MRLs for deltamethrin as summarised in Table 1.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) assessed the deltamethrin MRLs for various products based on available information.

Actions

Suppliers of kiwi fruits, potatoes, cabbages, escaroles, globe artichokes, oilseeds, and spices in particular should review their current use of deltamethrin and look for possible alternative solutions.

Timeline

The new MRLs will apply from 11 December 2024. Products (except pears, potatoes, and lettuces) exported before 11 December 2024 that comply with the old MRLs will not be removed from the EU market after that date, even if they do not comply with the new MRLs.

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