Maximum residue levels for dithiocarbamates
- Food safety
- Pesticide MRLs
Summary
The European Union (EU) is withdrawing its proposal to amend the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for dithiocarbamates.
The EU is currently working on analytical methods that can discriminate between the dithiocarbamate pesticides. The EU currently sets MRLs for the dithiocarbamates as a group that includes maneb, mancozeb, metiram, propineb, thiram, and ziram.
EU withdraws proposal to amend MRLs for dithiocarbamates
Withdrawn Draft Commission Regulation amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for dithiocarbamates in or on certain products
Draft Annex
Update
The European Union (EU) is withdrawing its proposal to amend the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for dithiocarbamates.
The EU is currently working on analytical methods that can discriminate between the dithiocarbamate pesticides. The EU currently sets MRLs for the dithiocarbamates as a group that includes maneb, mancozeb, metiram, propineb, thiram, and ziram.
What is changing?
The EU has withdrawn its 2024 proposal to amend the MRLs for dithiocarbamates. The European Commission informed the World Trade Organization Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO SPS) Committee about this withdrawal in April 2026 (G/SPS/N/EU/788/Add.1).
Why?
Several pesticides belong to the dithiocarbamates group, including maneb, mancozeb, metiram, propineb, thiram, and ziram. The analytical method used to quantify the presence of these substances is based on their conversion into carbon disulfide (CS2), so a single MRL is established for the group (although a specific MRL also exists for thiram, see Maximum residue levels for thiram).
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA 2023) reviewed the MRLs for dithiocarbamates including products where Codex MRLs (CXLs) or import tolerances exist and are considered safe. CS2 can occur naturally in some plants. In some cases, EFSA used monitoring data from organic products to identify the natural CS2 content in certain plants, which is unrelated to (and should not be confused with) the use of pesticides.
The EU’s 2024 proposal followed a comprehensive review of the MRLs for dithiocarbamates, undertaken by the EU as part of its regular review of MRLs.
The EU has now decided that there is a need to distinguish between the dithiocarbamates, but that this will require new analytical methods (European Commission 2025, 2026).
Timeline
EU reference laboratories are working on developing new analytical methods for dithiocarbamates. No timetable has been given for the development of a new proposal regarding MRLs for dithiocarbamates.
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
EFSA (2023) Review of the existing maximum residue levels for dithiocarbamates according to Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. EFSA Journal, 21(5): 7987.
European Commission (2025) Summary Report. Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed: Section Phytopharmaceuticals – Pesticide Residues. 17 - 18 February 2025. Summary Report.
European Commission (2026) Summary Report. Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed: Section Phytopharmaceuticals –Residues, 5–6 February 2026.
Sources
Withdrawn Draft Commission Regulation as regards maximum residue levels for dithiocarbamates in or on certain products
Draft Annex
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.
EU withdraws proposal to amend MRLs for dithiocarbamates
Withdrawn Draft Commission Regulation as regards maximum residue levels for dithiocarbamates in or on certain products
Draft Annex
What is changing and why?
The European Union (EU) has withdrawn its proposal to amend the MRLs for dithiocarbamates. (The proposal was initially notified to the World Trade Organisation in 2024.) The EU is currently working on developing analytical methods that can discriminate between the dithiocarbamate pesticides. The EU currently sets MRLs for the dithiocarbamates as a group that includes maneb, mancozeb, metiram, propineb, thiram, and ziram.
Timeline
EU reference laboratories are working on developing new analytical methods for dithiocarbamates. No timetable has been given for the development of a new proposal regarding MRLs for dithiocarbamates.
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.