Maximum residue levels for diazinon
- Food safety
- Pesticide MRLs
Summary
The European Union (EU) is discussing reducing the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for diazinon on certain products to the limit of determination (LOD) of 0.01 mg/kg. (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.) There will be particular impacts on cranberries, pineapples, radishes, kohlrabies, hops, spices, sugar beet roots, and animal products. A reduction in current LODs on some other products is also proposed.
EU discusses reduction of diazinon MRLs to 0.01 mg/kg
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 azocyclotin, chlorfenapyr, cyhexatin, diazinon, dicofol, endosulfan, fenarimol, fenpropathrin and profenofos in or on certain products
Draft Annex
Update
The European Union (EU) is discussing reducing the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for diazinon on certain products to the limit of determination (LOD) of 0.01 mg/kg. (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.) There will be particular impacts on cranberries, pineapples, radishes, kohlrabies, hops, spices, sugar beet roots, and animal products. A reduction in current LODs on some other products is also proposed.
Impacted Products
Almonds, Brazil nuts, cashew nuts, chestnuts, coconuts, hazelnuts/cobnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nut kernels, pistachios, walnuts, cranberries, pineapples, radishes, garlic, onions, shallots, spring onions/green onions, Welsh onions, sweet peppers/bell peppers, sweet corn, Chinese cabbages/pe-tsai, kohlrabies, linseeds, peanuts/groundnuts, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, rapeseed/canola seeds, soybeans, mustard seeds, cotton seeds, pumpkin seeds, safflower seeds, borage seed, gold of pleasure seeds, hemp seeds, castor beans, olives for oil production, oil palm kernels, oil palm fruits, kapok, hops, anise/aniseed, black caraway/black cumin, celery, coriander, cumin, dill, fennel, fenugreek, nutmeg, allspice/pimento, Sichuan pepper, caraway, cardamom, juniper berry, peppercorn (black, green, white), vanilla, tamarind, liquorice, turmeric/curcuma, sugar beet roots, muscle (swine, cattle, sheep, goat, poultry), fat (swine, cattle, sheep, goat), liver, kidney (swine, cattle, sheep, goat), edible offals (poultry), milk (cattle, sheep, goat, horse), bird eggs (chicken, duck, geese, quail), honey and other apiculture products
What is changing?
The EU is discussing the reduction of MRLs for diazinon as summarised in Table 1.
Why?
The MRLs for diazinon that have been in place since the adoption of Regulation 396/2005 have never been reviewed. Following a series of evaluations and a stakeholder consultation (see EFSA invites submission of data to support review of certain MRLs), the European Food Safety Authority has concluded that the existing MRLs are not substantiated (EFSA 2023).
Timeline
This Regulation is still under discussion. It is expected to be adopted in 2026, with new MRLs applying from late 2026 or early 2027.
Recommended Actions
Suppliers to the EU market of cranberries, pineapples, radishes, kohlrabies, hops, spices, sugar beet roots, and animal products should review their existing use of diazinon and start to seek alternative (chemical or non-chemical) solutions in anticipation of the MRL reductions.
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.
For further information on the EU’s process and principles for setting MRLs, see Regulation of pesticide residues in the EU - Questions and Answers.
Resources
EFSA (2023) Targeted review of maximum residue levels (MRLs) for diazinon. EFSA Journal, 21(11): e8426.
Sources
Draft Commission Regulation as regards maximum residue levels for azocyclotin, chlorfenapyr, cyhexatin, diazinon, dicofol, endosulfan, fenarimol, fenpropathrin and profenofos in or on certain products
Draft Annex
Tables & Figures
Source: based on PLAN/2025/1425 Rev0
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EU discusses reduction of diazinon MRLs to 0.01 mg/kg
Draft Commission Regulation as regards maximum residue levels for azocyclotin, chlorfenapyr, cyhexatin, diazinon, dicofol, endosulfan, fenarimol, fenpropathrin and profenofos in or on certain products
Draft Annex
What is changing and why?
The European Union (EU) is discussing the reduction of diazinon maximum residue levels (MRLs) on several products, with the most significant impact on cranberries, pineapples, radishes, kohlrabies, hops, spices, sugar beet roots, and animal products (see Table 1). This is because the European Food Safety Authority has concluded that the existing MRLs are no longer substantiated. Diazinon has never been approved for use within the EU.
Actions
Suppliers to the EU market of cranberries, pineapples, radishes, kohlrabies, hops, spices, sugar beet roots, and animal products should review their existing use of diazinon and start to identify alternative pesticides.
Timeline
This Regulation is still under discussion. It is expected to be adopted in 2026, with new MRLs applying from late 2026 or early 2027.
Tables & Figures
Source: based on PLAN/2025/1425 Rev0
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.