European Commission cuts benomyl, carbendazim and thiophanate-methyl residue limits to detection floor
Food and import operators must meet lowered detection-floor residue limits for three benzimidazole fungicides on affected products from 29 January 2027
Change
On 8 July 2026 the European Commission adopted Regulation (EU) 2026/1546, amending Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 to lower all maximum residue levels (MRLs) for carbendazim and thiophanate-methyl to the limit of determination, set default MRLs for benomyl, and establish new residue definitions; it applies from 29 January 2027, directly in all Member States.
Why it matters
The Regulation deletes the carbendazim and thiophanate-methyl MRL columns from Annexes II and III and lists all three substances at product-specific limits of determination in Annex V, removing the import tolerances that previously permitted residues on citrus, mangoes, papayas and okra. Products carrying residues above the new limits cannot be placed on the Union market from 29 January 2027. For carbendazim in grapefruits, oranges, papayas and mangoes, and thiophanate-methyl in grapefruits, oranges, mandarins, papayas and mangoes, no transitional grace applies — the lower limits bite on that date regardless of when the product was placed on the market.
Implications
- — EU food business operators placing affected fruit, vegetable, cereal and animal-origin products on the Union market must confirm residues of benomyl, carbendazim and thiophanate-methyl sit at or below the amended MRLs — now the limit of determination for most entries — for products placed on the market from 29 January 2027, because product above the limit cannot be lawfully marketed.
- — EU importers and third-country exporters of grapefruits, oranges, mandarins, mangoes, papayas and okra must re-verify supply against the new LOD-based limits before shipments arrive from 29 January 2027 — the prior import tolerances are withdrawn, and for the listed citrus, mango and papaya combinations there is no transitional grace, so non-conforming consignments face rejection at EU border controls.
- — Member State competent authorities and official control laboratories must apply the amended Annexes and the updated animal-origin residue definitions from 29 January 2027 using analytical methods capable of resolving to the limit of determination — the enforcement residue definition for carbendazim shifts to the sum of carbendazim and 5-hydroxy-carbendazim, changing what laboratories must measure.
Who is affected
- — EU food business operators placing affected products on the Union market
- — EU importers and third-country exporters of grapefruits, oranges, mandarins, mangoes, papayas and okra
- — Member State competent authorities and official control laboratories
What to watch
- — Applies from: 29 January 2027 — amended MRLs and new residue definitions take effect; product above the limits cannot be placed on the Union market.
- — Transitional cut-off: 29 January 2027 — pre-amendment MRLs stop protecting existing stock for carbendazim in grapefruits, oranges, papayas and mangoes, and thiophanate-methyl in grapefruits, oranges, mandarins, papayas and mangoes; these combinations have no grace period.