Maximum residue levels for etoxazole

Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1783 of 15 September 2023 amending Annexes II and V to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for denatonium benzoate, diuron, etoxazole, methomyl and teflubenzuron in or on certain products

Update

The EU has reduced the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for etoxazole to the limit of determination (LOD, the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods) of 0.01 mg/kg. Where the detection level of 0.01 mg/kg cannot be met due to technical limitations, the MRL is 0.02 or 0.05 mg/kg. There are implications for exporters of certain fruits, vegetables, teas, and hops.

Impacted Products

grapefruits, oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins, apples, pears, quinces, medlars, loquats, Japanese medlars, apricots, peaches, cherries, plums, grapes, strawberries, bananas, tomatoes, aubergines, eggplants, cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, watermelons, basil, edible flowers, teas, hops

What is changing?

The EU has changed the MRLs for etoxazole as summarised in Table 1.

Why?

Etoxazole is no longer permitted for use on edible crops in the EU (approval was renewed only for use on ornamental plants in greenhouses). EFSA (2017) concluded that risks to human health from consuming products treated with etoxazole could not be excluded.

Codex has established MRLs for etoxazole, but EFSA considered that there was not enough data available to confirm the safety of these MRLs. The existing MRLs for etoxazole have therefore been deleted and set to the LOD. Where the level of 0.01 mg/kg is too low to be detected by currently available analytical methods, the MRL is 0.02 or 0.05 mg/kg.

Timeline

The new MRLs will apply from 8 April 2024.

Recommended Actions

Suppliers to the EU market of grapefruits, oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins, apples, pears, quinces, medlars, loquats/ Japanese medlars, apricots, cherries, peaches, plums, grapes, tomatoes, aubergines/ eggplants, melons, pumpkins, watermelons, basil, edible flowers, teas, and hops must find alternative solutions to existing use of etoxazole on these products by April 2024.

Products exported before 8 April 2024 that are still on the market after 8 April must comply with the new MRLs after that date. Suppliers exporting products with a longer shelf life must ensure that any products still likely to be on the market after 8 April 2024 comply with the new 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) 2023/1783

What is changing and why?

Changes to the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for etoxazole are set out in Table 1.

Actions

For all products in Table 1, it is recommended that suppliers review their current use of etoxazole and explore alternative solutions.

Timeline

The new MRLs will apply from 8 April 2024.

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