Maximum residue levels for isoxaben
- Pesticide MRLs
Summary
The European Union (EU) has increased the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for isoxaben on dried beans and peas.
EU increases MRLs for isoxaben on dried beans and peas
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1305 of 2 July 2025 amending Annexes II, III and IV to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for amidosulfuron, azoxystrobin, hexythiazox, isoxaben, picloram, propamocarb, sodium silver thiosulfate and tefluthrin in or on certain products
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1719 of 8 September 2023 amending Annexes II and IV to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for isoxaben, metaldehyde, Metarhizium brunneum strain Ma 43, paclobutrazol and Straight Chain Lepidopteran Pheromones (SCLP) in or on certain products
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/466 of 3 March 2023 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 isoxaben, novaluron and tetraconazole in or on certain products
Update
The European Union (EU) has increased the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for isoxaben on dried beans and peas.
Impacted Products
Almonds, chestnuts, hazelnuts, cobnuts, walnuts, apples, pears, quinces, medlars, loquats, Japanese medlars, cherries, plums, table grapes, wine grapes, strawberries, blackberries, dewberries, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, currants, gooseberries, rosehips, mulberries, azaroles, Mediterranean medlars, elderberries, carrots, horseradishes, parsnips, parsley roots, cucumbers, gherkins, melons, pumpkins, watermelons, chervil, chives, celery leaves, parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, basil, edible flowers, laurel, bay leaves, thyme, peas (without pods), pulses (dried peas, beans), asparagus, barley, buckwheat and other pseudo-cereals, maize/corn, millet, proso millet, oats, rice, rye, sorghum, wheat, hops
What is changing?
In March 2023 the EU reduced the MRLs for isoxaben to the limit of determination (LOD, the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods) on fruit, vegetables, cereals and hops, except for courgettes and beans without pods. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) applied the data for beans without pods to establish the same MRL for peas without pods. On 11 September 2023, the EU increased the MRL for isoxaben on gherkins, applying the data for courgettes to the MRL for gherkins.
On 3 July 2025, the EU increased the MRLs for isoxaben on dried beans and peas.
MRLs
The amendments to previous MRLs, including new MRLs for beans and peas (without pods), are shown in Table 1.
- The existing MRL for courgettes remains at 0.05 mg/kg.
- The MRL for gherkins was initially reduced to 0.01 mg/kg, but was revised to 0.05 mg/kg in September 2023 (the same as courgettes).
- The MRL for dried beans and peas was initially reduced to 0.01 mg/kg, but was revised to 0.02 mg/kg in July 2025 (the same as beans without pods).
LODs
For all fruits and vegetables not listed in Table 1, and for oilseeds and sugar plants, the LOD is decreased from 0.02 to 0.01 mg/kg. The LOD on teas, coffees, infusions and spices is increased from 0.02 to 0.05 mg/kg.
Why?
Following a review of existing isoxaben MRLs (EFSA 2022), it was recommended to lower the existing MRLs for fruits and vegetables – with the exception of courgettes and fresh beans without pods, for which there is there is sufficient data in support of current good agricultural practices (GAP).
A further request to modify the MRL on gherkins was submitted using the fast-track procedure. Because the data supporting the MRL for courgettes can be extrapolated to gherkins, that request was accepted by the European Commission.
A further request to modify the MRL on dried beans and peas was also submitted using the fast-track procedure. Because the data supporting the MRL for beans (without pods) can be extrapolated to dried beans and peas, that request was accepted by the European Commission.
Timeline
The lowered MRLs apply since 26 September 2023.
The 0.05 mg/kg MRL for gherkins applies since 27 September 2023.
The 0.02 mg/kg MRLs for dried beans and peas apply from 23 July 2025.
Recommended Actions
Suppliers to the EU market of fruit, vegetables, cereals, and hops (with the exception of courgettes, gherkins, and beans/peas without pods) should check for current use of isoxaben on these products and seek alternative solutions to isoxaben. Suppliers of strawberries should verify whether existing agricultural practices are compatible with the reduced MRL of 0.01 mg/kg.
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 (2022) Review of the existing maximum residue levels for isoxaben according to Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. EFSA Journal, 20(1): 7062.
Sources
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.
EU increases MRLs for isoxaben on dried beans and peas
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/466
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1719
What is changing and why?
Changes to the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for isoxaben, including new MRLs for beans and peas (without pods), are shown in Table 1.
- The existing MRL for courgettes remains at 0.05 mg/kg.
- The MRL for gherkins was initially reduced to 0.01 mg/kg, but in September 2023 was revised to 0.05 mg/kg (the same as courgettes).
- The MRL for dried beans and peas was initially reduced to 0.01 mg/kg, but in July 2025 was revised to 0.02 mg/kg (the same as beans without pods).
For all fruits and vegetables not listed in Table 1, oilseeds and sugar plants, the limit of determination (LOD) is decreased from 0.02 to 0.01 mg/kg. The LOD on teas, coffees, infusions and spices is increased from 0.02 to 0.05 mg/kg. (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.)
Actions
Suppliers to the EU market of fruit, vegetables, cereals, and hops (with the exception of courgettes, gherkins, and beans/peas without pods) should check for current use of isoxaben on these products and seek alternative solutions to isoxaben. Suppliers of strawberries should verify whether existing agricultural practices are compatible with the reduced MRL of 0.01 mg/kg.
Timeline
The lowered MRLs apply from 26 September 2023.
The 0.05 mg/kg MRL for gherkins applies from 27 September 2023.
The 0.02 mg/kg MRLs for dried beans and peas apply from 23 July 2025.
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.