,"The European Commission has published a new draft Regulation proposing significant amendments to the maximum residue levels (MRLs) for six active substances: 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene, chlormequat, metribuzin, metribuzin-desamino-diketo (DADK), terbuthylazine, and triclopyr across a range of food commodities. The comprehensive review follows the submission of new monitoring data by Member States, evaluation of missing confirmatory data, and changes in EU approval status for certain substances.
This MRL revision represents one of the most extensive residue-related regulatory updates in recent years, affecting growers, exporters, food business operators, and laboratories across the European Union.
1. MRLs Being Lowered-Certain MRLs will be reduced due to either deletion of outdated uses or failure to provide required data.
Example: Terbuthylazine
Previous MRL for maize grain was supported by historic uses.
Because confirmatory residue trials were not submitted as required, the MRL will be lowered to the LOQ (e.g., 0.01 mg/kg).
This ensures only trace residues remain permissible.
2. MRLs Being Raised-Example: 1,4-Dimethylnaphthalene
Monitoring data on stored potatoes showed residue levels slightly above previous limits.
EFSA concluded there is no consumer risk, allowing the Commission to raise the MRL (e.g., from 10 mg/kg to 12 mg/kg).
This aligns legal limits with real storage practices.
The MRL updates are directly linked to compliance with existing EU legislative frameworks, specifically:
Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 on pesticide MRLs.
Commission mandates for monitoring and confirmatory data generation.
New scientific findings from Member States and EFSA."
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