Maximum residue levels for triclopyr
- Food safety
- Pesticide MRLs
Summary
The European Commission has informed the World Trade Organization Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO SPS) Committee (G/SPS/N/EU/899) that it intends to amend the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for triclopyr on citrus fruits and animal products.
EU proposes to amend triclopyr MRLs on certain products, with particular impact on citrus fruits
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 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene, chlormequat, metribuzin, metribuzin-desamino-diketo (metribuzin-DADK), terbuthylazine and triclopyr in or on certain products
Draft Annex
Update
The European Commission has informed the World Trade Organization Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO SPS) Committee (G/SPS/N/EU/899) that it intends to amend the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for triclopyr on citrus fruits and animal products.
Impacted Products
Grapefruits, oranges, lemons, mandarins, animal products
What is changing?
The EU is discussing amending the MRLs for triclopyr on certain products as summarised in Table 1.
Why?
The MRLs for triclopyr were reviewed following assessments by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA 2022, 2024), which concluded that data for citrus fruits were still missing. The EU proposed to adjust the MRLs either to alternative safe levels proposed by EFSA, or to the product-specific limits of determination.
Data gaps identified in earlier evaluations were resolved for apples, pears, and peaches, allowing the existing MRLs to be maintained. For apricots, the current MRL can be maintained by extrapolation from cherries. For rice, new data have been submitted and the current MRL is maintained until the data can be assessed.
In addition, new MRLs are proposed for certain animal products based on recent applications and EFSA’s updated risk assessment confirming that residue levels expected for the intended uses on grassland is unlikely to present a risk to consumer health (EFSA 2023).
Timeline
The Regulation is expected to be published in July 2026. It is expected that new MRLs will apply from late 2026 or early 2027.
Recommended Actions
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 1 February 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 MRL, see Regulation of pesticide residues in the EU – Questions and Answers.
Resources
EFSA (2022) Modification of the existing maximum residue levels for triclopyr in oranges, lemons and mandarins. EFSA Journal, 20(8): art. e07545.
EFSA (2023) Modification of the existing maximum residue levels for triclopyr in animal commodities. EFSA Journal, 21(5): art. e08007.
EFSA (2024) Statement on the confirmatory data following the Article 12 MRL review for triclopyr. EFSA Journal, 22: art. e9176.
Sources
Draft Commission Regulation as regards maximum residue levels for 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene, chlormequat, metribuzin, metribuzin-desamino-diketo (metribuzin-DADK), terbuthylazine and triclopyr in or on certain products
Draft Annex
Tables & Figures
Source: based on PLAN/2025/1086_Rev3.
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 proposes to amend triclopyr MRLs on certain products, with particular impact on citrus fruits
Draft Commission Regulation as regards maximum residue levels for 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene, chlormequat, metribuzin, metribuzin-desamino-diketo (metribuzin-DADK), terbuthylazine and triclopyr in or on certain products
Draft Annex
What is changing and why?
The European Union (EU) is discussing amending the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for triclopyr (see Table 1). There will be particular impacts on citrus fruits.
Actions
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 1 February 2026.
Timeline
The Regulation is expected to be published in July 2026. It is expected that new MRLs will apply from late 2026 or early 2027.
Tables & Figures
Source: based on PLAN/2025/1086_Rev3.
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.