United States of America has received petitions regarding residues of pesticide chemicals in or on various commodities, affecting pesticide chemicals and commodities across multiple HS codes.
US Reviews Pesticide Residue Standards
Petitions received for new residue limits on agricultural products.
What changed
Petitions received for evaluation of pesticide chemical residues in or on various commodities.
Scrutiny targets HS codes 380899 and 380862 for safety and compliance evaluation.
Regulatory oversight continues to focus on pesticide residue monitoring in key agricultural sectors.
Who it affects
Importers and exporters of agricultural products and pesticide chemicals under review.
Compliance Analysis: Pesticide Residue Tolerances in U.S. Commodities
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has received multiple petitions to establish or modify tolerances (maximum residue limits, or MRLs) for pesticide chemicals in or on various commodities under 40 CFR Part 180 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). These petitions are subject to public comment and EPA review before adoption. Below is a structured breakdown of the key regulatory requirements, proposed tolerances, and procedural timelines based on the provided sources.
1. Overview of Petitions and Proposed Tolerances
The EPA has published notices of receipt for pesticide petitions requesting tolerance adjustments for specific pesticide-commodity combinations. The primary objective of these petitions is food safety1, 2, 3. No relevant international standards (e.g., Codex Alimentarius) apply to the proposed tolerances, and where discrepancies exist, the EPA relies on submitted data rather than harmonization4, 2, 3.
Proposed Tolerances by Pesticide and Commodity
| Pesticide | Commodity | Proposed Tolerance (ppm) | Petitioner | Analytical Method | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inpyrfluxam | Crop Group 11-10 (Pome Fruit Group) | 0.01 | Valent U.S.A. LLC | Independently validated method | 2 |
| Inpyrfluxam | Barley subgroup hay | 0.5 | Valent U.S.A. LLC | Independently validated method | 2 |
| Inpyrfluxam | Barley subgroup straw | 0.4 | Valent U.S.A. LLC | Independently validated method | 2 |
| Inpyrfluxam | Barley subgroup grain | 0.01 | Valent U.S.A. LLC | Independently validated method | 2 |
| Inpyrfluxam | Crop Subgroup 1C (Tuberous/Corm Vegetables) | 0.03 | Valent U.S.A. LLC | Independently validated method | 2 |
| Mancozeb | Longan | 15 | USDA Foreign Agricultural Service | Keppel colorimetric method (CS₂ degradation) | 2 |
| Sulfoxaflor | Pistachio | 0.5 | Corteva Agriscience | Not specified | 1 |
2. Regulatory Process and Timelines
The EPA follows a standardized process for evaluating pesticide petitions, including public comment periods and potential harmonization with international standards where feasible.
Key Steps and Deadlines
| Step | Requirement | Deadline | Authority | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petition Submission | Petitioners submit data, analytical methods, and proposed tolerances. | N/A | EPA | 4, 1, 2 |
| Public Comment Period | EPA solicits comments from stakeholders (e.g., industry, public, trading partners). | Varies by petition (e.g., 22 July 20261, 13 July 20262, 15 July 20263, 5 August 20264) | EPA WTO SPS Team (`EPAWTOSPS@epa.gov`) | 4, 1, 2, 3 |
| EPA Review | EPA evaluates data, comments, and potential harmonization with Codex. | To be determined | EPA | 4, 2, 3 |
| Adoption/Publication | EPA publishes final rule in the Federal Register. | 5 August 2026 (proposed4) | EPA | 4 |
| Entry into Force | Tolerances become effective (typically 6 months post-publication unless specified otherwise). | To be determined | EPA | 4, 1, 2, 3 |
Note: The EPA may deviate from Codex MRLs if submitted data supports a different tolerance4, 2, 3.
3. Compliance Requirements for Stakeholders
For Petitioners (e.g., Valent U.S.A. LLC, Corteva Agriscience, USDA)
- Submit independently validated analytical methods for residue detection (e.g., inpyrfluxam2, mancozeb2).
- Provide scientific data supporting the proposed tolerance levels (e.g., dietary risk assessments).
- Address public comments during the review period.
For Importers/Exporters
- Monitor Federal Register notices for updates on tolerance levels, as these directly impact import/export compliance4, 1, 2, 3.
- Ensure residues in commodities do not exceed the established tolerances (e.g., 0.5 ppm for sulfoxaflor in pistachios1).
- Submit comments to the EPA WTO SPS team (`EPAWTOSPS@epa.gov`) during the public comment period if affected by proposed changes.
For Regulatory Authorities (EPA)
- Evaluate petitions under 40 CFR Part 180 (FIFRA) and Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).
- Publish proposed and final rules in the Federal Register4, 1, 2, 3.
- Coordinate with WTO SPS Agreement to notify trading partners of changes4, 1, 2, 3.
4. International Harmonization
- The EPA attempts to harmonize with Codex Alimentarius standards where possible, but deviations occur when U.S. data supports different tolerance levels4, 2, 3.
- For the petitions in question, no relevant international standards apply1, 2, 3.
- Deviations from Codex are documented in the Federal Register notices4, 2, 3.
Summary Answer
The EPA has received petitions to establish or modify tolerances for pesticide residues in various commodities, including inpyrfluxam (pome fruits, barley, tuberous vegetables)2, mancozeb (longan)2, and sulfoxaflor (pistachios)1, with proposed levels ranging from 0.01 ppm to 15 ppm. These petitions are subject to public comment (deadlines: 13 July 20262, 15 July 20263, 22 July 20261, 5 August 20264) and EPA review under 40 CFR Part 180. While the EPA aims to harmonize with Codex standards, deviations are permitted based on U.S. data4, 2, 3. Stakeholders must comply with finalized tolerances to ensure food safety and trade compliance. All sources4, 1, 2, 3 confirm the procedural and substantive requirements for these petitions.
Sources
- ↩ Receipt of Pesticide Petitions Filed for Residues of Pesticide Chemicals in or on Various Commodities–March 2026 https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NUSA3575.docx
- ↩ Receipt of a Pesticide Petition Filed for Residues of Pesticide Chemicals in or on Various Commodities – January 2026 https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NUSA3572.docx
- ↩ Receipt of Pesticide Petitions Filed for Residues of Pesticide Chemicals in or on Various Commodities–February 2026 https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NUSA3573.docx
- ↩ Receipt of Pesticide Petitions Filed for Residues of Pesticide Chemicals in or on Various Commodities – April 2026, pages 40962-40964 https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NUSA3583.docx