Targeted review of maximum residue levels (MRLs) for profenofos

In accordance with Article 43 of Regulation (EC) 396/2005, EFSA received a request from the European Commission to review the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the non-approved active substance profenofos in view of the possible lowering of the MRL. EFSA investigated the origin of the current EU MRLs. Existing EU MRLs are based on Codex Maximum Residue Limits still in place or reflect temporary MRLs set from monitoring data. EFSA performed an indicative chronic and acute dietary risk assessment for the list of MRLs to allow risk managers to take the appropriate decisions. For some commodities, further risk management discussions are required to decide which of the risk management options proposed by EFSA should be implemented in the EU MRL legislation.

Targeted review of maximum residue levels (MRLs) for dicofol

In accordance with Article 43 of Regulation (EC) 396/2005, EFSA received a request from the European Commission to review the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the non-approved active substance dicofol in view of the possible lowering of the MRL. EFSA investigated the origin of the current EU MRLs. All existing EU MRLs reflect previously authorised uses in the EU or are based on obsolete Codex Maximum Residue Limits. Furthermore, in view of the limitations of the toxicological dataset and related uncertainties, the existing toxicological reference values derived at the EU level cannot be confirmed for dicofol. EFSA therefore proposed lowering all existing EU MRLs for dicofol to the limit of quantification.

Cumulative risk assessment with pesticides in the framework of MRL setting

This abstract presents a report on the proposed work programme, focus on cumulative risk assessment (CRA) for chemical risks, specifically pesticide residues in food. While not a scientific publication, this technical report aims to provide insights without including the fellow's data to avoid publication restrictions. This report focuses on addressing the question concerning the trigger value to perform a prospective CRA in case of a new maximum residue level (MRL) setting. The 1,000 margin of exposure (MOE) threshold value was tested and compared to preliminary ANSES results. Alternative thresholds were calculated and explored. The EU-FORA fellow selected two cumulative assessment groups (CAGs) related to acute craniofacial alterations and chronic thyroid effects. The fellow performed exposure assessments, integrating effects data, French monitoring data, processing factors, agricultural uses, MRLs and extrapolations into Monte Carlo risk assessment (MCRA). Retrospective cumulative exposures using MCRA were conducted for children, adults and a vulnerable group of childbearing women based on the French survey INCA3, identifying background levels at P99.9. The fellow also performed prospective assessments with MCRA, analysing results at P99.9 to evaluate the adequacy of the 1,000 MOE threshold. Alternative thresholds are discussed and proposed.

Guidance on the assessment of pesticide residues in rotational crops

EFSA has prepared a guidance document on the assessment of studies on the nature and magnitude of pesticide residues in rotational crop studies as defined in Section 6.6 of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 283/2013. This guidance document supports the practical implementation of the relevant OECD Test Guidelines (TGs) and OECD Guidance Documents in a harmonised way, respecting the EU regulatory framework for the pesticide assessments. The individual steps of the assessment are illustrated by examples, figures and flow charts. Sources of uncertainty in these assessments are identified and recommendations for further work are provided.

Targeted review of maximum residue levels (MRLs) for diazinon

In accordance with Article 43 of Regulation (EC) 396/2005, EFSA received a request from the European Commission to review the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the non-approved active substance diazinon in view of the possible lowering of the MRL. EFSA investigated the origin of the current EU MRLs. For existing EU MRLs that reflect previously authorised uses in the EU, or that are based on obsolete Codex MRLs, or import tolerances that are not required any longer, EFSA proposed the lowering to the limit of quantification. EFSA performed an indicative chronic and acute dietary risk assessment for the revised list of MRLs to allow risk managers to take the appropriate decisions. For some commodities, further risk management discussions are required to decide which of the risk management options proposed by EFSA should be implemented in the EU MRL legislation.

Scientific support for preparing an EU position in the 54th Session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR)

The European Commission asked EFSA to provide support in the framework of Article 43 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 for the preparation of the EU position for 54th Session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR). In the current report, EFSA provided comments and recommendations on the Codex maximum residue level (MRL) proposals derived by the Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) that will be discussed in the upcoming CCPR meeting. The current report should serve as the basis for deriving the EU position for the CCPR meeting.

Targeted review of maximum residue levels (MRLs) for fenarimol

In accordance with Article 43 of Regulation (EC) 396/2005, EFSA received a request from the European Commission to review the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the non-approved active substance fenarimol in view of the possible lowering of the MRLs. EFSA investigated the origin of the current EU MRLs. For existing EU MRLs that reflect previously authorised uses in the EU, or that are based on obsolete Codex maximum residue limits, or import tolerances that are not required any longer, EFSA proposed the lowering to the limit of quantification. EFSA performed a chronic and acute dietary risk assessment for the revised list of MRLs to allow risk managers to take the appropriate decisions. For some commodities, further risk management discussions are required to decide which of the risk management options proposed by EFSA should be implemented in the EU MRL legislation.

Targeted review of maximum residue levels (MRLs) for endosulfan

In accordance with Article 43 of Regulation (EC) 396/2005, EFSA received a request from the European Commission to review the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the non-approved active substance endosulfan in view of the possible lowering of the MRLs. EFSA investigated the origin of the current EU MRLs. For existing EU MRLs that reflect previously authorised uses in the EU, or that are based on obsolete Codex maximum residue limits, or import tolerances that are not required any longer, EFSA proposed the lowering to the limit of quantification or to an alternative MRL. EFSA performed an indicative chronic and acute dietary risk assessment for the revised list of MRLs to allow risk managers to take the appropriate decisions. For all commodities, further risk management discussions are required to decide which of the risk management options proposed by EFSA should be implemented in the EU MRL legislation.

Targeted review of maximum residue levels (MRLs) for azocyclotin and cyhexatin

In accordance with Article 43 of Regulation (EC) 396/2005, EFSA received a request from the European Commission to review the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the non-approved active substances azocyclotin and cyhexatin in view of the possible lowering of these MRLs. EFSA investigated the origin of the current EU MRLs. For existing EU MRLs that reflect previously authorised uses in the EU, or that are based on obsolete Codex Maximum Residue Limits, or import tolerances that are not required any longer, EFSA proposed the lowering to the limit of quantification. EFSA performed an indicative chronic and acute dietary risk assessment for the revised list of MRLs to allow risk managers to take the appropriate decisions. For some commodities under assessment, further risk management discussions are required to decide which of the risk management options proposed by EFSA should be implemented in the EU MRL legislation.

Targeted review of maximum residue levels (MRLs) for fenpropathrin

In accordance with Article 43 of Regulation (EC) 396/2005, EFSA received a request from the European Commission to review the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the non-approved active substance fenpropathrin in view of the possible lowering of the MRLs. EFSA investigated the origin of the current EU MRLs. For existing EU MRLs that reflect previously authorised uses in the EU, or that are based on obsolete Codex Maximum Residue Limits, or import tolerances that are not required any longer, EFSA proposed the lowering to the limit of quantification or to an alternative MRL. EFSA performed an indicative chronic and acute dietary risk assessment for the revised list of MRLs to allow risk managers to take the appropriate decisions.

Targeted review of maximum residue levels (MRLs) for bifenthrin

In accordance with Article 43 of Regulation (EC) 396/2005, EFSA received a request from the European Commission to review the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the non-approved active substance bifenthrin in view of the possible lowering of the MRLs. EFSA investigated the origin of the current EU MRLs. For existing EU MRLs that reflect previously authorised uses in the EU, or that are based on obsolete Codex maximum residue limits, or import tolerances that are not required any longer, EFSA proposed the lowering to the limit of quantification or to an alternative MRL. EFSA performed an indicative chronic and acute dietary risk assessment for the revised list of MRLs to allow risk managers to take the appropriate decisions. For some commodities, further risk management discussions are required to decide which of the risk management options proposed by EFSA should be implemented in the EU MRL legislation.

Scientific support for preparing an EU position for the 52nd Session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR)

In accordance with Article 43 of Regulation (EC) 396/2005, EFSA received a request from the European Commission to provide support for the preparation of the EU position for 52nd session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR). In 2019, JMPR evaluated 20 active substances regarding the setting of toxicological reference values to be used in consumer risk assessment (acetochlor, boscalid, chlorothalonil, cyprodinil, dicamba, mesotrione, metaflumizone, thiabendazole, afidopyropen, buprofezin, clethodim, dimethoate, metconazole, omethoate, pyflubumide, pyridate, pyrifluquinazon, tolclofos-methyl, triflumuron, valifenalate) and 47 active substance regarding the setting of Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) (acetochlor, azoxystrobin, boscalid, chlorantraniliprole, chlorothalonil, cyantraniliprole, cyprodinil, dicamba, fenazaquin, flonicamid, flupyradifurone, fosetyl-Al, glyphosate, mesotrione, metaflumizone, S-methoprene, pendimethalin, spirotetramat, tebuconazole, thiabendazole, acetamiprid, afidopyropen, benzovindiflupyr, bifenthrin, buprofezin, carbendazim, clethodim, cyclaniliprole, cypermethrins, dimethoate, fluazifop-p-butyl, fluensulfone, kresoxim-methyl, mandestrobin, metconazole, omethoate, penthiopyrad, picoxystrobin, pydiflumetofen, pyflubumide, pyrifluquinazon, pyriofenone, pyriproxyfen, tolclofos-methyl, tolfenpyrad, triflumuron, valifenalate). EFSA prepared comments on the Codex MRL proposals and the proposed toxicological reference values. In addition, EFSA provided the views on follow-up assessments of JMPR on pesticides where specific concerns were raised in the previous CCPR meetings. The current report should serve as the basis for deriving the EU position for the CCPR meeting.

Scientific support for preparing an EU position in the 51st Session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR)

In accordance with Article 43 of Regulation (EC) 396/2005, EFSA received a request from the European Commission to provide support for the preparation of the EU position for 51st session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR). In 2018, JMPR evaluated 15 active substances regarding the setting of toxicological reference values to be used in consumer risk assessment (chlorfenapyr, ethiprole, fenpicoxamid, fluazinam, fluxapyroxad, imazalil, kresoxim‐methyl, lambda‐cyhalothrin, mandestrobin, mandipropamid, norflurazon, pydiflumetofen, pyraclostrobin, pyriofenone, tioxazafen) and 27 active substances regarding the setting of maximum residue limits (MRLs) (abamectin, bentazone, chlorfenapyr, cyantraniliprole, cyazofamid, diquat, ethiprole, fenpicoxamid, fenpyroximate, fluazinam, fludioxonil, fluxapyroxad, imazalil, isofetamid, kresoxim‐methyl, lufenuron, mandipropamid, norflurazon, oxathiapiproline, profenofos, propamocarb, pydiflumetofen, pyraclostrobin, pyriofenone, pyriproxyfen, sulfoxaflor and tioxazafen); EFSA prepared comments on the Codex MRL proposals and the proposed toxicological reference values. In addition, EFSA provided comments on follow‐up assessments of JMPR on pesticides where specific concerns were raised in the previous CCPR meetings. The current report should serve as the basis for deriving the EU position for the CCPR meeting.

Scientific support for preparing an EU position in the 50th Session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR)

In accordance with Article 43 of Regulation (EC) 396/2005, EFSA received a request from the European Commission to provide support for the preparation of the EU position for 50th session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR). In 2017, Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) evaluated 15 active substances regarding the setting of toxicological reference values to be used in consumer risk assessment (bicyclopyrone, chlormequat, cyclaniliprole, fenazaquin, fenpropimorph, fenpyrazamine, fenpyroximate, fosetyl Al, isoprothiolane, natamycin, oxamyl, phosphonic acid, propylene oxide, thiophanate-methyl, triflumezopyrim) and 36 substances for deriving maximum residue limit (MRL) proposals (acetamiprid, azoxystrobin, bicyclopyrone, captan, chlormequat, cyclaniliprole, cyprodinil, 2,4-D, difenoconazole, fenazaquin, fenpropimorph, fenpyrazamine, fenpyroximate, flonicamid, fluensulfone, fluopyram, flupyradifurone, fosetyl Al, imazamox, imazapyr, imidacloprid, isoprothiolane, isopyrazam, natamycin, oxamyl, phosphonic acid, picoxystrobin, propiconazole, propylene oxide, prothioconazole, quinclorac, saflufenacil, spinetoram, tebuconazole, trifloxystrobin, triflumezopyrim); EFSA prepared comments on the Codex MRL proposals and the proposed toxicological reference values. In addition, EFSA provided the views on follow-up assessments of JMPR on pesticides where specific concerns were raised in the previous CCPR meetings. The current report should serve as the basis for deriving the EU position for the CCPR meeting, relevant findings are summarised in this report.

Scientific support for preparing an EU position in the 49th Session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR)

In accordance with Article 43 of Regulation (EC) 396/2005, EFSA received a request from the European Commission to provide support for the preparation of the EU position for 49th session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR). In 2016, JMPR evaluated 12 active substances regarding the setting of toxicological reference values to be used in consumer risk assessment (acibenzolar‐S‐methyl, fenpropimorph, fluazifop‐P‐butyl, fluensulfone, imazethapyr, isofetamid, oxathiapiprolin, penconazole, pendimethalin, pinoxaden, spiromesifen and teflubenzuron) and 24 active substance regarding the setting of Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) (acibenzolar‐S‐methyl, benzovindiflupyr, bixafen, buprofezin, chlorantraniliprole, deltamethrin, dimethomorph, fipronil, fluazifop‐P‐butyl, fluensulfone, flupyradifurone, imazethapyr, isofetamid, methoprene, metrafenone, oxathiapiprolin, penconazole, pendimethalin, pinoxaden, saflufenacil, spiromesifen, sulfoxaflor, teflubenzuron and tolfenpyrad); EFSA prepared comments on the Codex MRL proposals and the proposed toxicological reference values. In addition, EFSA provided the views on follow‐up assessments of JMPR on pesticides where specific concerns were raised in the previous CCPR meetings. The current report should serve as the basis for deriving the EU position for the CCPR meeting are summarised in this report.