Maximum residue levels for etoxazole
Published by AGRINFO on ; Revised
EU reduces MRLs for etoxazole to 0.01–0.05 mg/kg on all products, with impacts on certain fruits, vegetables, teas, and hops
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
EFSA (2017) Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance etoxazole. EFSA Journal, 15(10): 4988.
Sources
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1783
Tables & Figures
Source: based on Regulation (EU) 2023/1783
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