Maximum residue levels for endosulfan

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 endosulfan on tea, soyabeans, cotton seeds, and certain spices to the limit of determination (LOD). (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.) A reduction in current LODs on other products is also proposed.

Impacted Products

Grapefruits, oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins, almonds, Brazil nuts, cashew nuts, chestnuts, coconuts, hazelnuts/cobnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nut kernels, pistachios, walnuts, apples, pears quinces, medlars, loquats/Japanese medlars, apricots, cherries (sweet), peaches, plums, table grapes, wine grapes, strawberries, blackberries, dewberries, raspberries (red and yellow), blueberries, cranberries, currants (black, red, white), gooseberries (green, red, yellow), rose hips, mulberries (black and white), azaroles/Mediterranean medlars, elderberries, dates, figs, table olives, kumquats, carambolas, kaki/Japanese persimmons, jambuls/jambolans, kiwi fruits, litchis/lychees, passionfruits/maracujas, prickly pears/cactus fruits, star apples/cainitos, American persimmons/Virginia kaki, avocados, bananas, mangoes, papayas, granate apples/pomegranates, cherimoyas, guavas, pineapples, breadfruits, durians, soursops/guanabanas, potatoes, cassava roots/manioc, sweet potatoes, yams, arrowroots, beetroots, carrots, celeriac/turnip rooted celeries, horseradishes, Jerusalem artichokes, parsnips, parsley roots, radishes, salsifies, swedes/rutabagas, turnips, garlic, onions, shallots, spring onions/green onions, Welsh onions, tomatoes, sweet peppers/bell peppers, aubergine/eggplants, okra/ladies’ fingers, cucumbers, gherkins, courgettes, melons, pumpkins, watermelons, sweetcorn, broccoli, cauliflowers, Brussels sprouts, head cabbages, Chinese cabbages/pe-tsai, kales, kohlrabis, lamb’s lettuces/corn salads, lettuces, escaroles/broad-leaved endives, cresses and other sprouts and shoots, land cresses, Roman rocket/rucola, red mustards, baby leaf crops, spinaches, purslanes, chards/beet leaves, grape leaves, watercresses, witloofs/Belgian endives, chervil, chives, celery leaves, parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, basil and edible flowers, laurel/bay leaves, tarragon, beans, peas, lentils, asparagus, cardoons, celeries, Florence fennels, globe artichokes, leeks, rhubarbs, bamboo shoots, palm hearts, cultivated fungi, wild fungi, mosses and lichens, algae and prokaryotes, lupins/lupini beans, linseeds, peanuts/groundnuts, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, rapeseeds/canola seeds, mustard seeds, pumpkin seeds, safflower seeds, borage seeds, gold of pleasure seeds, hemp seeds, castor beans, soyabeans, cotton seeds, olives for oil production, oil palm kernels and fruits, kapok, barley, buckwheat and other pseudocereals, maize/corn, common millet/proso millet, oats, rice, rye, sorghum, wheat, tea, 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, sugar canes, chicory roots, (swine, cattle, sheep, goat, equine, poultry, other farmed terrestrial animals); milk (cattle, sheep, goat, horse), bird eggs (chicken, duck, geese, quail), honey

What is changing?

The EU is discussing the reduction of MRLs for endosulfan as summarised in Table 1.

Why?

The endosulfan MRLs 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 there is insufficient toxicological data for tea, soybeans, cotton seeds, and spices to allow a complete exposure assessment (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 tea, soybeans, cotton seeds, and the spices listed in Table 1 should review their existing use of endosulfan 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

Sources

Tables & Figures

Source: based on PLAN/2025/1425 Rev0