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Great Britain Adopts Codex MRLs (CXLs) for 15 substances

February 26, 2025 

Following the 55th session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR) in June 2024 and the adoption of Codex Maximum Residue Limits (CXLs) by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) in November 2024, Great Britain has adopted CXLs for 15 substances. These are now enforced as GB Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), effective January 17, 2025.

Codex Maximum Residue Limits (CXLs) are essential for safeguarding public health, promoting fair trade, and supporting sustainable agriculture. These limits ensure pesticide residues in food remain within safe levels, protecting consumer health. By harmonizing standards globally, CXLs reduce trade barriers, facilitating smoother international trade. The limits provide clear guidelines for farmers, helping them meet safety standards and gain consumer trust.

Process of setting CXLs

The process of setting CXLs is collaborative and involves several key organizations. The Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) conducts scientific evaluations within the areas of toxicology and residues concerning pesticide residues in food. The Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR) reviews these evaluations and proposes CXLs for the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). The CAC then adopts these CXLs, making them official standards. Evaluations occur annually, with the JMPR meeting typically in September, JMPR reports and calls for data published mid-October and the CCPR and CAC meetings held in April-July and November the following year (respectively). In an ideal case, CXLs are available 24 months after the FAO/WHO call for data but can often be longer.

New GB MRLs

Following the 55th session of the CCPR meeting in June 2024 and the 47th session of the CAC in November 2024, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recommended the adoption of CXLs as GB MRLs for 15 substances, effective January 17, 2025. The 15 substances are:

  • 1,4-Dimethylnapthalene
  • Acetamiprid
  • Boscalid
  • Clothianidin
  • Cyantraniliprole
  • Cyflumetofen
  • Imazpyr
  • Isocycloseram
  • Isoflucypram
  • Isotianil
  • Mepiquat chloride
  • Oxathiopiprolin
  • Tetraniliprole
  • Thiamethoxam
  • Tricyclazole

The decision on the adoption of Codex MRLs (CXLs), concluded that these CXLs for the 15 substances would not result in harmful exposure to UK consumers.

Not all CXLs were adopted due to:

  • Higher existing GB MRLs
  • Incompatible residue data supporting the JMPR assessment with GB residue definitions
  • Consumer risk issues identified in the latest approval/ non-approval decision relevant to GB
  • The substance being very persistent meaning the MRLs and consumer risk assessments should account for accumulated residues arising from year-on-year use
  • On-going assessments which may impact the MRLs adopted

The adopted CXLs will be notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and included in the GB MRL Statutory Register. The decision ensures alignment with international standards while maintaining high protection levels in Great Britain.

JMPR dossier support

With extensive experience in the preparation of JMPR dossiers, TSG is your trusted partner for helping establish and maintain Codex Maximum Residue Levels (CXLs). Our team is ready to advise you on the process, perform data gap assessments on toxicological and residues data packages, derive CXLs and perform consumer risk assessments. TSG can also help with your additional data generation needs.

To learn more about how we can support you, contact TSG at [email protected], or reach out to your TSG consultant directly. Nominations for new compounds must be made by November 30 each year.

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