Maximum residue levels for isopyrazam

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 isopyrazam in or on certain products

Update

The European Commission has informed the World Trade Organization Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO SPS) Committee that it intends to amend the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for isopyrazam, with possible impacts on fruits and vegetables (G/SPS/N/EU/762).

Impacted Products

Apples, pears, quinces, medlars, loquats/ Japanese medlars, peaches, bananas, beetroots, celeriacs/ turnip rooted celeries, horseradishes, Jerusalem artichokes, parsnips, parsley roots/ Hamburg rooted parsley, radishes, salsifies, swedes/ rutabagas, turnips, carrots, tomatoes, aubergines/ eggplants, cucumbers, gherkins, courgettes, melons, pumpkins, watermelons, chervil, chives, celery leaves, parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, basil and edible flowers, laurel/ bay leaves, tarragon, linseeds, poppy seeds, mustard seeds, rapeseeds/ canola seeds, oat, rye, wheat, tea, coffee beans, herbal infusions (chamomile, hibiscus, rose, jasmine, lime/ linden, strawberry, rooibos, maté, valerian, ginseng), cocoa beans, carobs/ Saint John’s breads, hops, anise/ aniseed, black caraway/ black cumin, celery, coriander, cumin, dill, fennel, fenugreek, nutmeg, allspice/ pimento, Sichuan pepper, caraway, cardamom, juniper berry, peppercorn, vanilla, tamarind, cinnamon, liquorice, ginger, turmeric/ curcuma, horseradish, cloves, capers, saffron, mace

What is changing?

The EU proposes to amend the MRLs for isopyrazam as summarised in Table 1.

Why?

The active substance isopyrazam is no longer approved in the EU because it has been classified as carcinogenic and toxic for reproduction (ECHA 2020). Therefore the EU proposes to reduce the MRLs for this substance to the limit of determination (LOD, the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods). This will apply to all products except those for which MRLs are based on Codex MRLs (CXLs) or import tolerances, which have been reviewed by EFSA (2021) and found to present no health risks for the consumer.

Timeline

Expected date of publication: February 2025.

The new MRLs are expected to apply from August 2025.

Recommended Actions

Suppliers of products affected should review their current use of isopyrazam and look for possible alternative solutions in anticipation of these MRL changes.

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

Draft Commission Regulation as regards maximum residue levels for isopyrazam in or on certain products

What is changing and why?

The active substance isopyrazam is no longer approved in the EU because it has been classified as carcinogenic and toxic for reproduction (ECHA 2020). Therefore the EU proposes to reduce the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for this substance to the limit of determination (LOD, the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods). This will apply to all products except those for which MRLs are based on Codex MRLs (CXLs) or import tolerances, which have been reviewed by EFSA (2021) and found to present no health risks for the consumer.

The changes are summarised in Table 1.

Actions

Suppliers of products affected should review their current use of isopyrazam and look for possible alternative solutions in anticipation of these MRL changes.

Timeline

Expected date of publication: February 2025.

The new MRLs are expected to apply from August 2025.

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