SGS Informs on Four New Commission Regulations to Amend Pesticide Maximum Residue Levels

Bangkok, Thailand, December 12, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Regulations on Pesticide Maximum Residue Levels

The four Regulations published are:

- Commission Regulation (EU) No 1096/2014 (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32014R1096&from=EN)
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 1119/2014 (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32014R1119&from=EN)
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 1126/2014 (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:JOL_2014_305_R_0002&from=EN)
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 1127/2014 (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32014R1127&from=EN)

Pesticide Residues Concerned

These updates amend the MRLs, which are the upper legal levels of a concentration to ensure the lowest possible consumer exposure, in or on certain products, for pesticides, including:

- Carbaryl
- Procymidone
- Profenofos
- Benzalkonium chloride
- Didecyldimethylammonium chloride
- Asulam
- Cyanamide
- Dicloran
- Flumioxazin
- Flupyrsulfuron-methyl
- Picolinafen
- Propisochlor
- Amitrole
- Dinocap
- Fipronil
- Flufenacet
- Pendimethalin
- Propyzamide
- Pyridate

Details of amendment of the Regulations, list of amended pesticides and relevant product groups are shown in table 1 within the latest SafeGuards bulletin (http://newsletter.sgs.com/eNewsletterPro/uploadedimages/000006/sgs-safeguards-19714-eu-pesticide-maximum-residue-levels-a4-en-14.pdf).

The changes of MRLs for several products should be set at the specific limit of determinations, or at the default MRL in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2005:070:0001:0016:en:PDF), with information of those products for which neither relevant authorizations or import tolerances were reported at Union level, nor were Codex MRLs available, that shall be considered by the European Union and taking into account the current scientific and technical knowledge.

Amended Maximum Residue Levels - Transition Period

Before the MRL changes are formally adopted, there should be a transitional period allowing Member States, third countries and food business operators to continue the marketing, processing and consumption of products that have been lawfully produced. It is expected that all four updated Regulations will provide a transitional arrangement.

Official Adoption of the New Pesticide Regulations

The amended Regulations will be adopted according to the following timescales:

- Regulation (EU) No 1096/2014 shall apply from 7 May 2015, and Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 shall continue to apply to products which were lawfully produced before being amended.
- Regulation (EU) No 1119/2014 shall enter into force on 5 November 2014.
- Regulation (EU) No 1126/2014 and Regulation (EU) No 1127/2014 shall apply from 13 May 2015, and Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 shall continue to apply to products which were lawfully produced before being amended.

About SGS Food Safety Services

SGS is committed to keeping readers informed of regulatory news and developments. Leveraging a global network of laboratories and food experts, SGS provides a comprehensive range of food safety and quality solutions including analytical pesticide residue testing (http://www.sgs.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail/Food/Primary-Production/Testing-and-Analytical-Services/Pesticide-Residue-Testing.aspx), audits, certifications, inspections and technical support. The company continually invests in world class testing capabilities and state-of-the-art technology to help clients reduce risks, and improve food safety and quality.

For further information please contact the SGS experts.

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 80,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,650 offices and laboratories around the world.