United Kingdom Updates Mefentrifluconazole Residue Standards

United Kingdom has amended maximum residue levels for mefentrifluconazole in agricultural products to reflect updated safety data across multiple regulatory filings

Regulation Analysis: Updated Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for Mefentrifluconazole in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has amended the Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for mefentrifluconazole in various agricultural commodities to reflect updated safety assessments. These changes are based on evaluations by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and are implemented under the GB MRL Statutory Register, ensuring consumer exposure remains below toxicological reference values^{1, 2}. The amendments deviate from the Codex Alimentarius Commission standards, as the UK’s assessment led to different residue thresholds^{1, 2}.

Key Changes to MRLs for Mefentrifluconazole

The following table summarises the updated MRLs for specific commodities, replacing the previous default limit of 0.01 mg/kg (where indicates the limit of determination)²:

Notes:

• The full list of updated MRLs for additional commodities (e.g., pistachios, grapes, herbs) is available in Part 1 of the GB Pesticides MRL Statutory Register¹.
• The 0.01* mg/kg default limit applies where no specific MRL is set².

Regulatory Framework and Compliance Requirements

1. Legal Basis
   • The amendments are made under the GB MRL Statutory Register, which transposes Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 (as retained in UK law post-Brexit)^{1, 2}.
   • Mefentrifluconazole is an approved active substance in Great Britain, and the new MRLs accommodate new plant protection product uses and import tolerances².

1. Safety Assessment
   • The HSE’s Reasoned Opinion confirms that residue levels from the notified uses result in consumer exposures below toxicological reference values^{1, 2}.
   • The evaluation deviates from the Codex Alimentarius standard (JMPR active substance number 320), as the UK’s assessment led to higher MRLs for certain commodities¹.

1. Implementation Timeline
   • Adoption & Publication Date: 15 May 2026 (for additional commodities)¹ / 15 June 2026 (for initial commodities)².
   • Entry into Force: Immediately upon publication (15 May/June 2026)^{1, 2}.
   • Trade Impact: The measure is classified as a trade-facilitating measure, as it aligns MRLs with actual residue levels from approved uses^{1, 2}.

1. Enforcement & Compliance
   • Responsible Authorities:
   • Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) – Policy oversight.
   • Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – Risk assessment and MRL setting.
   • UK WTO SPS National Notification Authority – Handles stakeholder comments (though no formal comment period is specified)^{1, 2}.
   • Monitoring: Compliance with MRLs is enforced through official controls under the UK Official Feed and Food Controls Regulations¹.

1. Deviation from International Standards
   • The UK’s MRLs do not conform to the Codex Alimentarius standard for mefentrifluconazole, as the HSE’s assessment justified higher residue limits for certain commodities^{1, 2}.
   • Details of the deviation are provided in the HSE’s Reasoned Opinion¹.

Summary Answer

The United Kingdom has updated the Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for mefentrifluconazole in agricultural commodities, including strawberries, tomatoes, aubergines, cucumbers, gherkins, courgettes, and additional crops (e.g., pistachios, herbs), to reflect new safety data and approved uses^{1, 2}. The new MRLs—ranging from 0.2 mg/kg to 0.8 mg/kg—replace the previous default limit of 0.01* mg/kg and ensure consumer exposure remains below toxicological thresholds². These amendments deviate from the Codex Alimentarius standard due to the UK’s independent risk assessment¹. The changes will enter into force on 15 May/June 2026, with enforcement overseen by Defra and the HSE^{1, 2}. Stakeholders may consult the GB MRL Statutory Register or the HSE’s Reasoned Opinion for further details¹.

Sources

1. ↩ New GB MRLs for mefentrifluconazole amending the GB MRL Statutory Register — imrd / directdoc https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NGBR132.docx
2. ↩ New GB MRLs for mefentrifluconazole amending the GB MRL Statutory Register — imrd / directdoc https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NGBR129.docx