Maximum residue limits for azocyclotin and cyhexatin
- 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 azocyclotin and cyhexatin to the limit of determination (LOD) of 0.01 mg/kg on apples, oranges, and wine grapes (G/SPS/N/EU/959). (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.)
EU proposes to reduce MRLs for azocyclotin and cyhexatin on apples, oranges, and grapes to 0.01 mg/kg
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 azocyclotin and cyhexatin to the limit of determination (LOD) of 0.01 mg/kg on apples, oranges, and wine grapes (G/SPS/N/EU/959). (The LOD is the lowest level that can be detected using the most modern and reliable analytical methods.)
Impacted Products
Oranges, apples, wine grapes, garlic, onions, shallots, spring onions/green onions, Welsh onions
What is changing?
The EU proposes to reduce the MRLs for azocyclotin and cyhexatin (sum of azocyclotin and cyhexatin expressed as cyhexatin) on apples, oranges, and wine grapes.
The EU also proposes to reduce the current LODs on bulb vegetables, and to increase the LOD on honey and other apiculture products from 0.01 to 0.05 mg/kg.
The proposed changes are summarised in Table 1.
Why?
The use of azocyclotin and cyhexatin has never been approved for use within the EU, and the MRLs for imported produce 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 complete a risk assessment as it could not establish toxicological reference values (EFSA 2023).
Timeline
The proposed new MRLs are expected to apply from September 2027.
Recommended Actions
Suppliers of apples, oranges, and grapes to the EU market should review their existing use of azocyclotin and cyhexatin, 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 azocyclotin and cyhexatin. EFSA Journal, 21(6): 8038.
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 MRLs for azocyclotin and cyhexatin on apples, oranges, and grapes to 0.01 mg/kg
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 azocyclotin and cyhexatin on apples, oranges, grapes, and bulb vegetables to the Limit of Determination (LoD) of 0.01 mg/kg. This is because the European Food Safety Authority was unable to complete a risk assessment of these pesticides due to a lack of relevant data. These pesticides have never been approved for use within the EU.
The EU also proposes to reduce the current LODs on bulb vegetables, and to increase the LOD on honey and other apiculture products from 0.01 to 0.05 mg/kg.
The proposed changes are summarised in Table 1.
Actions
Suppliers of apples, oranges, and grapes to the EU market should review their existing use of azocyclotin and cyhexatin, 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.