Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 February 2005 on maximum residue levels of pesticides in or on food and feed of plant and animal origin, as amended – establishes maximum levels for pesticide residues (MRLs) in food and feed in the European Union. It aims to ensure a high level of consumer health protection by setting permitted concentrations of pesticides in food products. The regulation governs both monitoring and procedures for evaluating new substances, as well as changes to MRLs.
What is an MRL?
The content of possible pesticide residues in food is regulated by Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs). An MRL is the maximum legal concentration of a pesticide residue in or on food and feed determined from the results of supervised field trials in which the pesticide was applied in accordance with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
It is important to note that the MRL is a marketing standard – not a toxicological reference value, exceeding which carries health risks.
In the European Union, MRLs for pesticides are establishedby the European Commission after a detailed assessment involving the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the member states.
What are the sources of Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for pesticides and why do these limits change over time?
Maximum residue levels (MRLs) for pesticides in the European Union are primarily established based on: good agricultural practices (GAPs), toxicological data evaluated by EFSA, scientific opinions at renewals of approvals of active substances of plant protection products, and procedures provided for in Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, as amended.
Changes to these limits occur because:
- every 10 years (or upon request), active substances are reapproved, which often leads to updates in toxicological reference values (such as ADI or ARfD), resulting in MRL adjustments;
- new active substances are approved, for which MRLs are established based on data provided by manufacturers;
- producers can apply to establish or revise MRLs to bring limits in line with agricultural practice and research results;
- import tolerances are established to ensure the smooth trade of goods from outside the EU while maintaining consumer protection;
- EFSA conducts periodic reviews of existing MRLs, and member states can request scientific opinions on pesticide residue risk assessment;
- additionally, once safety has been demonstrated, the EU may adopt CXL values from the Codex Alimentarius in order to harmonize international standards.
As a result, each of these mechanisms – from renewal of approvals, to requests from producers and countries, to adaptation of Codex Alimentarius standards – ensures that MRLs remain current and based on the latest scientific knowledge.
Fluxapyroxad, lambda-cyhalothrin, metalaxyl and nicotine
As of February 11, Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/115 of 21 January 2025 has been in force, amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for fluxapyroxad, lambda-cyhalothrin, metalaxyl, and nicotine in or on certain products.
Fluxapyroxad
Fluxapyroxad is an active ingredient that effectively controls a broad spectrum of fungal pathogens in cereals and other food crops (e.g.: beets, apple, pear, cherry, cherry, peach, apricot, cucumber, zucchini, tomato, lettuce, strawberry, brassica plants).
The most important changes to the maximum residue levels for fluxapyroxad are an increase in the MRL for Kaki / Persimmon japonica, based on extrapolation of data from residue studies on apples, and an increase in the maximum level of fluxapyroxad for cultivated fungi (such as mushrooms).
| Product | Previous MRL (mg/kg) | Applicable MRL (mg/kg) |
| Kaki/Japanese persimmons | 0,01 | 0,2 |
| Cultivatedfungi | 0,01 | 0,3 |
Lambda-cyhalothrin
Also on February 11, new MRLs for lambda-cyhalothrin came into effect. Lambda-cyhalothrinis an insecticide from the synthetic pyrethroid group, mainly used to control harmful insects in agriculture, forestry, veterinary medicine and public health (e.g. thrips, potato beetles, caterpillars, mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, flies, cockroaches).
According to Regulation (EU) No 2025/115 – for avocados, the MRL was raised, in response to an import tolerance request for the use of lambda-cyhalothrin in Mexico. And for poultry products (meat, fat, liver, kidney, edible offal), as well as eggs – the data assessment showed that residues exceeded the temporary MRLs established in 2018 due to the use of approved biocides. EFSA has proposed new, higher MRLs, which it has shown do not pose a health risk to consumers.
| Product | Previous MRL (mg/kg) | Applicable MRL (mg/kg) |
| Avocados | 0,01 | 0,15 |
| Poultry products (muscle, fat, edible offal) | 0,01 | 0,03 |
| Birds eggs | 0,01 | 0,02 |
Metalaxyl
The February MRL changes also included metalaxyl residues in pineapple and dried ginseng root. The change was introduced based on the Codex Alimentarius (CXL) values and a positive EFSA assessment, which confirmed no risk to consumers.
| Product | Previous MRL (mg/kg) | Applicable MRL (mg/kg) |
| Pineapples | 0,01 | 0,1 |
| Ginseng (dried root) | 0,05 | 0,06 |
Nicotine
Also as of February 11 of this year, the European Union has a new maximum residue level for nicotine in coffee beans, which has been set at 0.05 mg/kg to account for residues from potential sources other than pesticide use.
Prior to that date, coffee beans were not assigned a specific MRL on the EU list – a general default value of 0.01 mg/kg was then used. The new regulation has introduced a clearly defined MRL for this product category, which is important for producers and importers.
Cycloxydim, dichlorprop-P, flupiradifuron, phosphonic acid and its salts
As of April 17, amendments introduced by Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/581 of 27 March 2025 amending Annexes II and IV to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for cycloxydim, dichlorprop-P, flupyradifurone, methyl nonyl ketone, plant oils/citronella oil, potassium sorbate and potassium phosphonate in or on certain products are in force.
Cycloxydim
Cycloxydim is a selective herbicide from the cyclohexanone group, used to control grass weeds in broadleaf crops (e.g.: beets, soybeans, peas, beans, potatoes, fruit trees, ornamentals).
As of April 17, new maximum residue levels for cycloxydim in selected agricultural products took effect. The changes are the result of an application submitted by the German company BASF SE and a positive opinion from EFSA.
The MRL was raised in pome fruits such as apples, pears, quinces, medlars and Japanese medlars. Also, the limit was raised significantly for peas with pods. For maize and sugar beet root, the MRL was also increased.
| Product | Previous MRL (mg/kg) | Applicable MRL (mg/kg) |
| Pome fruits (apples, pears, quinces, medlars and loquats/Japanese medlars) | 0,09 | 0,4 |
| Peas (with pods) | 2 | 9 |
| Maize/corn | 0,2 | 0,3 |
| Sugar beet roots | 0,2 | 0,3 |
Dichlorprop-P
Dichlorprop is used to control both annual and perennial dicotyledonous weeds such as dandelion and field thistle. It is particularly effective in controlling the growth of these weeds in cereal crops such as wheat, barley, rye and oats.
The April 17 change in maximum residue levels for dichlorprop-P in cereals resulted from a request by Nufarm Crop Products UK Ltd. The company asked the Italian national authority to raise the existing MRLs for dichlorprop-P in barley, oats, rye and wheat grains from 0.1 mg/kg to 0.15 mg/kg. The aim was to bring residue levels in line with intended agricultural practices, particularly the use of dichlorprop-P as a plant growth regulator.
The European Food Safety Authority conducted a risk assessment and concluded that both short-term and long-term intake of dichlorprop-P residues at higher levels does not pose a health risk to consumers.
| Product | Previous MRL (mg/kg) | Applicable MRL (mg/kg) |
| Cereals (only: oats, barley, rye, wheat) | 0,1 | 0,2 |
Flupiradifuron
On April 17, revised maximum residue levels for flupiradifuron in selected products took effect.
The amendments follow the submission of two applications to establish new MRLs, including the establishment of import tolerances. The applicants submitted data showing that the use of this active substance authorized in Australia, Brazil and the United States, results in residues exceeding the MRLs established in Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, as amended, and that higher MRLs should be imposed to prevent trade barriers to imports of these crops.
Key changes:
- import tolerances have been established for: “other” citrus fruits, stone fruits, mangoes, papaya, sesame seeds, millet, oats, rye;
- CXL values for flupiradifurone in pineapple (0.3 mg/kg) and sunflower seeds (0.8 mg/kg) were adopted;
- MRLs were raised for: “other” small fruits and berries (except blueberries), leafy brassica vegetables (except kale), edible herbs and flowers, swine commodities (except muscle), and honey;
- the MRL for kale was lowered from 5 to 4 mg/kg.
Fosetyl and phosphonic acid and its salts
As of 17 April 2025, the previous definition of Fosetyl-Al (the sum of fosetyl, phosphonic acid and their salts, expressed as fosetyl) has been replaced by the new Phosphonic acid and their salts expressed as phosphonic acid.
The basis for these changes are two European Commission Regulations 2024/2619 of 8 October 2024 and 2025/581 of 27 March 2025. Under them, the residue definition for fosetyl aluminum (fosetyl-Al), potassium phosphonates and disodium phosphonates was revised, and the maximum residue levels for these substances in selected food products were updated.
The change in definition is intended to better reflect the actual level of residues in food and to facilitate monitoring. The new definition focuses solely on phosphonic acid and its salts, eliminating the previous reference to fosetyl.
Phosphonic acid can come not only from the use of crop protection products (such as fosetyl aluminum ), but also from fertilizers, plant growth promoters and soil additives containing potassium and disodium phosphonates. Therefore, it was necessary to adjust the MRL to cover all potential sources of residues. Based on updated scientific data and risk assessment, EFSA recommended adjusting the MRL accordingly. Depending on the product and the level of risk, the limits were raised in some cases and lowered in others.
Napropamide, pyridaben and tebufenpyrad
Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/2609 of 7 October 2024 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for napropamide, pyridaben and tebufenpyrad in or on certain products, has been in effect since April 28.
Napropamide
Napropamide is a selective soil-appliedherbicide from the amide group, used mainly for the control of annual broadleaf weeds and some grasses in agricultural, vegetable and orchard crops.
The changes to the maximum residue levels for napropamide, which went into effect April 28, are the result of a review by EFSA. During this review, data gaps were identified that were necessary for establishing safe MRLs for certain products. Despite the additional information provided by the applicant, EFSA found it insufficient for some products and recommended lowering the MRLs to the quantification level (LOQ) – the lowest level that can be detected by the most modern and reliable analytical methods.
The products covered by this change are listed in the table below.
| Product | Previous MRL (mg/kg) | Applicable MRL (mg/kg) |
| “Other” small fruits and berries (blueberries, cranberries, currants, gooseberries, rose hips, elderberries) | 0,02 | 0,01 |
| Herbs and edible flowers (chives, celery leaves, parsley leaves, sage, rosemary, thyme, basil, bay leaves, tarragon) | 0,05 | 0,02 |
Pyridaben
Pyridaben is a plant protection product from the acaricide and insecticide group, mainly used in agriculture and horticulture to control pests, especially mites (such as spider mites) and some sucking insects such as aphids.
At the end of April, changes to the maximum residue levels for pyridaben in selected food products were also introduced.
For pome fruit, apricots, peaches and beans in pods, it was decided to lower the MRL.
For products of animal origin (muscle, fat, edible offal), it was decided to lower the limit of quantification from 0.05 to 0.01 mg/kg, in view of the fact that currently available analytical techniques allow lower levels of quantification.
| Product | Previous MRL (mg/kg) | Applicable MRL (mg/kg) |
| Pome fruits (apples, pears, quince, medlars, loquats and others) | 0,9 | 0,15 |
| Apricots, peaches | 0,3 | 0,01 |
| Beans (with pods) | 0,2 | 0,01 |
| Products of animal origin (muscle, fat, edible offal) | 0,05 | 0,01 |
Tebufenpyrad
Tebufenpyrad is an insecticide and acaricide, mainly used in greenhouse and orchard crops to control spider mites and mites. It is used to protect a wide range of crops, including: citrus, stone fruits, grapevines, vegetables and soybeans.
As of April 28, the maximum residue levels for tebufenpyrad in five food products have been lowered. The changes follow EFSA’s assessment and are related to the lack of some data.
For apricots, peaches and table grapes, the MRLs was lowered. However, for beans with pods and hops, complete studies were not provided, making it impossible to assess the risk, so the new MRL was set at the level of quantification.
| Product | Previous MRL (mg/kg) | Applicable MRL (mg/kg) |
| Apricots, peaches | 0,4 | 0,3 |
| Table grapes | 0,6 | 0,4 |
| Beans (with pods) | 0,3 | 0,01 |
| Hops | 1,5 | 0,05 |
We encourage you to read the second part of the article – available here.
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