Maximum residue levels for fenpropathrin
- Food safety
- Pesticide MRLs
Summary
The European Union (EU) has notified the World Trade Organization Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO SPS) Committee of a draft proposal to reduce the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for fenpropathrin on citrus fruits, strawberries, melons, and tea to the limit of determination (LOD) of 0.01 mg/kg (G/SPS/N/EU/959). A reduction of current LODs on other products is also proposed. (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.)
EU proposes to reduce the MRLs for fenpropathrin on citrus fruits, strawberries, melons, and tea
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 V
Update
The European Union (EU) has notified the World Trade Organization Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO SPS) Committee of a draft proposal to reduce the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for fenpropathrin on citrus fruits, strawberries, melons, and tea to the limit of determination (LOD) of 0.01 mg/kg (G/SPS/N/EU/959). A reduction of current LODs on other products is also proposed. (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.)
Impacted Products
Citrus fruits, strawberries, melons, tea, coffee beans, chamomile, hibiscus/roselle, rose, jasmine, lime/linden, other flower infusions, strawberry, rooibos, mate/maté, other leaves/herb infusions, valerian, ginseng, other root infusions, cocoa beans, carobs/Saint John’s breads, hops, anise/aniseed, black caraway/black cumin, celery, coriander, cumin, dill, fennel, fenugreek, nutmeg, other seed spices, allspice/pimento, Sichuan pepper, caraway, juniper berry, peppercorn (black, green, white), vanilla, tamarind, other fruit spices, cinnamon, other bark spices, liquorice, ginger, turmeric/curcuma, horseradish, other root/rhizome spices, cloves, capers, other bud spices, saffron, other flower pistil spices, mace, other aril spices, swine, cattle, sheep, goat, horse, poultry, other farmed terrestrial animals, milk, birds’ eggs, honey, amphibians and reptiles, terrestrial invertebrate animals, wild terrestrial vertebrate animals
What is changing?
The EU proposes to reduce the MRLs for fenpropathrin as summarised in Table 1.
Why?
The MRLs for fenpropathrin 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 was not able to conclude a risk assessment due to inadequate toxicological data (EFSA 2023).
Timeline
The proposed new MRLs are expected to apply from September 2027.
Recommended Actions
Suppliers to the EU market of citrus fruits, strawberries, melons, and tea should review their existing use of fenpropathrin and start to look for alternative (chemical or non-chemical) solutions in anticipation of the MRL reductions.
Competent authorities of countries that are members of the WTO can submit comments on the EU’s proposal by emailing the EU SPS Enquiry Point until 25 August 2026.
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 fenpropathrin. EFSA Journal, 21(6): 8057.
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 V
Tables & Figures
Source: based on Draft Annex V
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EU proposes to reduce the MRLs for fenpropathrin on citrus fruits, strawberries, melons, and tea
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 V
What is changing and why?
The European Union (EU) proposes to reduce the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for fenpropathrin on citrus fruits, strawberries, melons, and tea to the limit of determination (LOD) (see Table 1). This is because the European Food Safety Authority was unable to complete a risk assessment due to inadequate data. A reduction of current LODs on other products is also proposed.
Actions
Suppliers to the EU market of citrus fruits, strawberries, melons, and tea should review their existing use of fenpropathrin and start to look for alternative solutions.
Competent authorities of countries that are members of the World Trade Organization can submit comments on the EU’s proposal by emailing the EU SPS Enquiry Point until 25 August 2026.
Timeline
The proposed new MRLs are expected to apply from September 2027.
Tables & Figures
Source: based on Draft Annex V
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.