Polish national MRLs for carbendazim, glufosinate, and thiophanate-methyl
- Food safety
- Pesticide MRLs
Summary
The Polish Government has published a draft regulation introducing national rules lowering the maximum residue levels (MRLs) on certain foods for the following pesticides that are not approved for use in the European Union (EU): carbendazim (including benomyl), glufosinate, and thiophanate-methyl.
The reduced MRLs are temporary, and apply only to food put on the Polish market. This initiative follows similar action taken by France in early 2026 (see French national MRL measures on carbendazim, thiophanate-methyl, glufosinate, and mancozeb).
Poland proposes temporary lower MRLs for carbendazim, glufosinate, and thiophanate-methyl on certain foods
Draft Regulation of the Minister of Health on the establishment of special requirements for foodstuffs concerning residues of active substances of plant protection products [available only in Polish]
To download, scroll down to 2. Uzgodnienia:
- for draft regulation, click on Projekt
- for draft Annex, click on Załącznik
Update
The Polish Government has published a draft regulation introducing national rules lowering the maximum residue levels (MRLs) on certain foods for the following pesticides that are not approved for use in the European Union (EU): carbendazim (including benomyl), glufosinate, and thiophanate-methyl.
The reduced MRLs are temporary, and apply only to food put on the Polish market. This initiative follows similar action taken by France in early 2026 (see French national MRL measures on carbendazim, thiophanate-methyl, glufosinate, and mancozeb).
Impacted Products
Algae and prokaryotic organisms, apricots, barley, beans/peas in pods, Brussels sprouts, cherries, citrus fruits (grapefruits, lemons, limes, mandarins, oranges), eggplants, grapes, honey and other bee products, mangoes, melons, mushrooms, oats, okra, papayas, peaches, plums, pome fruits (apples, pears, quinces, loquats, medlars), potatoes, pumpkins, rye, tomatoes, watermelons, wheat
What is changing?
On 4 March 2026, the Polish Government published a draft regulation that proposes to reduce the MRLs for carbendazim (including benomyl), glufosinate, and thiophanate-methyl to 0.01 mg/kg. The products affected are listed in Table 1.
Why?
Poland considers that residues of certain pesticides that are no longer approved for use in the EU may pose a health risk, even at low levels. Discussions within the EU on lowering the MRLs for carbendazim, benomyl, and thiophanate-methyl, and a review of glufosinate MRLs, are ongoing. While awaiting EU action, Poland has opted to introduce interim national requirements, following a similar approach to that taken by France.
Timeline
The timetable for publication has not been specified, but the Polish regulation could be published during April 2026, and will apply 12 months after publication.
It is a temporary national protective measure, valid for 12 months, or until the EU adopts MRL regulations on these substances.
Background
Under EU law, where an EU Member State informs the European Commission of an evident serious risk to human health, animal health, or the environment and the European Commission does not take measures to address that risk, a Member State may adopt interim protective measures (Regulation 178/2002, Arts. 53 and 54).
Carbendazim + benomyl and thiophanate methyl
In February 2026, the European Commission notified the World Trade Organization Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO SPS) Committee of a new draft proposal to reduce maximum residue levels (MRLs) to the limit of determination (LOD) on all products (See Maximum residue levels for carbendazim, benomyl, and thiophanate-methyl).
Glufosinate
Glufosinate has not been approved for use in the EU since July 2018 as no application was made by the manufacturer for its reapproval.
For several products that are included in the Polish draft regulation, EU import tolerance MRLs currently remain in place (see the EU Pesticides Database).
Sources
Draft Regulation of the Minister of Health on the establishment of special requirements for foodstuffs concerning residues of active substances of plant protection products [available only in Polish]
To download, scroll down to 2. Uzgodnienia:
- for draft regulation, click on Projekt
- for draft Annex, click on Załącznik
Tables & Figures
Source: Draft Regulation of the Minister of Health (Poland)
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.
Poland proposes temporary lower MRLs for carbendazim, glufosinate, and thiophanate-methyl on certain foods
Draft Regulation of the Minister of Health on the establishment of special requirements for foodstuffs concerning residues of active substances of plant protection products [available only in Polish]
To download, scroll down to 2. Uzgodnienia:
- for draft regulation, click on Projekt
- for draft Annex, click on Załącznik
What is changing and why?
The Polish Government has published a draft regulation introducing national rules lowering the maximum residue levels (MRLs) on certain foods for the following pesticides that are not approved for use in the European Union (EU): carbendazim (including benomyl), glufosinate, and thiophanate-methyl. The foods affected are listed in Table 1.
The reduced MRLs are temporary, and apply only to food put on the Polish market. This initiative follows similar action taken by France in early 2026 (see French national MRL measures on carbendazim, thiophanate-methyl, glufosinate, and mancozeb).
Timeline
The Polish regulation could be published during April 2026, and will apply 12 months after publication.
It is a temporary national protective measure, valid for 12 months, or until the EU adopts MRL regulations on these substances.
Tables & Figures
Source: Draft Regulation of the Minister of Health (Poland)
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.