Pesticides not requiring maximum residue levels
- Food safety
- Pesticide MRLs
Summary
The use of certain pesticides does not lead to residues that are a risk to the consumer. These pesticides therefore do not require maximum residue levels (MRLs). The European Commission proposes to add five substances to the list of pesticides not requiring MRLs:
- Allium fistulosum, processed
- lysate of Willaertia magna
- magnesium hydroxide E528
- Onobrychis viciifolia (sainfoin) dried pellets
- Vitis vinifera seed extract (grape seed extract).
EU to establish five pesticides not requiring MRLs
Draft Commission Regulation amending Annex IV to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for Allium fistulosum, processed; lysate of Willaertia magna; magnesium hydroxide E528; Onobrychis viciifolia (sainfoin) dried pellets and Vitis vinifera L. seed extract (grape seed extract) in or on certain products
Update
The use of certain pesticides does not lead to residues that are a risk to the consumer. These pesticides therefore do not require maximum residue levels (MRLs). The European Commission proposes to add five substances to the list of pesticides not requiring MRLs:
- Allium fistulosum, processed
- lysate of Willaertia magna
- magnesium hydroxide E528
- Onobrychis viciifolia (sainfoin) dried pellets
- Vitis vinifera seed extract (grape seed extract).
Impacted Products
All
What is changing?
The European Commission proposes to add the following substances to the list of pesticides not requiring MRLs (Regulation 396/2005, Annex IV):
- Allium fistulosum, processed
- lysate of Willaertia magna
- magnesium hydroxide E528
- Onobrychis viciifolia (sainfoin) dried pellets
- Vitis vinifera seed extract (grape seed extract).
The MRLs for these substances on all products are currently set at the default value of 0.01 mg/kg.
Why?
In the course of approving these substances, the European Commission has established that their use is not expected to lead to residues that are a risk to consumers. In the case of lysate of Willaertia magna, this follows a risk assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA 2025).
Timeline
The Regulation is expected to be published in January 2026, and will apply 20 days after its publication.
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.
The European Commission has developed Guidance setting out the criteria for the inclusion of active substances in Annex IV of Regulation 396/2005.
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 (2025) Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment of the active substance lysate of Willaertia magna C2c Maky. EFSA Journal 23(1): e9194
Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 on maximum residue levels of pesticides in or on food and feed of plant and animal origin
European Commission (2015) Guidance document on criteria for the inclusion of active substances into Annex IV of Regulation (EC) N° 396/2005
Sources
Draft Commission Regulation as regards maximum residue levels for Allium fistulosum, processed; lysate of Willaertia magna; magnesium hydroxide E528; Onobrychis viciifolia (sainfoin) dried pellets and Vitis vinifera L. seed extract (grape seed extract) in or on certain products
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 to establish five pesticides not requiring MRLs
Draft Commission Regulation amending Annex IV to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for Allium fistulosum, processed; lysate of Willaertia magna; magnesium hydroxide E528; Onobrychis viciifolia (sainfoin) dried pellets and Vitis vinifera L. seed extract (grape seed extract) in or on certain products
What is changing and why?
Certain pesticides do not require maximum residue levels (MRLs) as their use does not lead to residues that pose a risk to consumers. The European Commission proposes to add the following five substances to the list of pesticides not requiring MRLs:
- Allium fistulosum, processed
- lysate of Willaertia magna
- magnesium hydroxide E528
- Onobrychis viciifolia (sainfoin) dried pellets
- Vitis vinifera seed extract (grape seed extract).
Timeline
The Regulation is expected to be published in January 2026, and will apply 20 days after its publication.
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.