Changes to European Union Regulations on Pesticide Residues in 2026 – New MRLs, Withdrawals of Active Ingredients, Renewals, and Extensions of Approvals

The year 2026 represents another stage in the intensification of the European Union’s public health protection policy, specifically regarding food safety and reducing the environmental impact of plant protection products. In recent years, there has been a systematic tightening of requirements concerning how pesticides are controlled. The implemented regulations include regular verification of active substances, updates to maximum residue levels, and the increasing inclusion of environmental criteria in decision-making processes. This process is part of implementing the objectives of the European Green Deal, the “Farm to Fork” strategy, and the biodiversity strategy, which collectively aim to reduce the risks associated with the use of chemical plant protection products while maintaining a high level of product safety.

The pesticide residue control system currently in force in the European Union is among the most restrictive in the world. Every active substance used in agriculture is subject to a detailed risk assessment conducted by the rapporteur Member State, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and the European Commission. In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, approval can only be maintained if it is demonstrated that the substance does not pose an unacceptable risk to human health, animal health, or the environment.

New Legal Regulations: How Does the Regulation Change Maximum Residue Levels?

The rules regarding the criteria for maximum residue levels (MRLs) of pesticides—defined in Regulation (EC) No 396/2005—are constantly updated based on new toxicological data, monitoring results, and assessments conducted by EU scientific bodies. In 2026, further modifications and new provisions entered into force, introducing a strict registry of changes to legal limits (Table 1). For certain substances, the new limits (MRLs) have been virtually reduced to the analytical limit of quantification (LOQ).

For food business operators, this means that plant protection products previously approved for use now require special oversight, and every importer, farmer, and distributor must verify the compliance of shipments with current food law requirements.

The Process of Withdrawing Active Substances and New Challenges for Producers and Distributors

Concurrently, a process of withdrawing active substances that no longer meet modern safety requirements or for which insufficient data has been presented to support their continued use is being observed within EU structures (Table 2 and Table 3). These actions create a need to seek alternative crop protection methods, increase interest in biological products, and accelerate the development of integrated pest management (IPM).

As a result, the agri-food sector currently faces one of the greatest challenges of recent years—reconciling the efficiency of agricultural production with the requirements of consumer health protection, environmental protection, and sustainable development. These changes force the industry to ensure that every product sample entering commercial trade is verified for chemical purity. Special operational oversight includes:

• Monitoring the presence of pesticides in food at the raw material supply stage.
• Conducting regular laboratory analyses, especially for fruits, vegetables, and cereals that present a higher level of risk.
• Verifying products originating from third countries and outside the European Union, where guidelines regarding the use of agrochemicals may be less restrictive.

Renewal and Extension of Approvals for Active Substances

The year 2026 is also a period of significant procedural changes related to the renewal and extension of active substance approvals (Table 4 and Table 5). The European Commission is taking action to streamline the active substance assessment process, reduce administrative delays, and focus regulatory efforts more intensely on substances posing the greatest risk to human health.

Table 1. MRL Changes in 2026

*) The changes also apply to the categories: spices, tea, coffee, herbal infusions, cocoa, and milk.

Table 2. Active Substances Withdrawn in 2026

Table 3. Expiration of Approvals in 2026

Table 4. Pesticide Approval Renewals in 2026

Table 5. Pesticide Approval Extensions in 2026 (Regulation 2026/372)

J.S. Hamilton Poland: Comprehensive Pesticide Residue Testing in Food

In an era of dynamic legal changes and growing pressure from retail chains, a producer’s declaration alone regarding properly executed spraying does not provide a sufficient guarantee of safety. To effectively protect your business from the risk of a batch of goods being rejected by commercial quality inspections, systematic and independent monitoring of products is essential.

At J.S. Hamilton Poland laboratories, we offer comprehensive pesticide residue testing in fresh fruits and vegetables, herbs, cereals, and processed products, among others. Our testing laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art analytical facilities (chromatographic techniques: HS-GC/MS, GC-MS/MS, and LC-MS/MS), which allow for the precise detection and identification of hundreds of chemical substances simultaneously, taking into account the lowest limits of quantification required by EU legal standards. We support producers and distributors in verifying product compliance with current standards, ensuring process transparency and consumer safety at every stage of distribution.

Want to be sure that your products meet the new MRL limits in 2026? Do not risk non-compliance with the regulations. Contact the experts at J.S. Hamilton Poland and order professional laboratory analysis of your products today.