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Pesticide maximum residue limits for export fruit, vegetables and cereals
This page provides links to the NZFSA pesticide MRL database, to MRL legislation in a range of countries and to other pesticide MRL-related websites.
Why Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) are important
Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticides are established in most countries to safeguard consumer health and to promote Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) in the use of insecticides, fungicides, herbicides and other agricultural compounds.
These MRLs vary from country to country depending on the pesticides available, the crops being treated and the way the pesticides are used. Food exporters must comply with these MRLs as a condition of market access.
The NZFSA pesticide MRL database
To help New Zealand exporters meet these market access requirements, NSFSA maintains a database of national pesticide MRLs from around the world that are relevant to New Zealand food exporters.
Search the NZFSA pesticide MRL database
Please note that NZFSA does not guarantee the accuracy of the information in this database, and users are advised to check the relevant national legislation before exporting treated commodities. A list of links to this legislation is provided in the section below.
National or regional pesticide MRL legislation around the world
Links to the MRL legislation, or to lists of MRLs established by Codex Alimentarius and in various countries (including New Zealand) are offered below.
Country |
Source |
Notes |
MRLs are listed in Standard 1.4.2 (Schedule 1) | ||
Brazil |
Pesticide Monographs (PDF) containing MRLs | |
Canada |
MRLs are regulated under the Pest Control Products Act. | |
Codex |
MRLs can be searched by pesticide or commodity | |
European Union |
MRLs and temporary MRLs are Annexes to Regulation 149/2008. See also the Regulations updating these Annexes | |
Hong Kong |
Currently recognises Codex MRLs | |
India |
MRLs listed in The Prevention of Food Adulteration Act and Rules (pp90-97) and Notifications (PDF 2 MB) | |
Israel |
Pesticide Residues database searchable by pesticide or crop | |
Japan |
Links to MHLW Positive MRL List System and an (unofficial) MRL database searchable by pesticide or food. | |
Korea |
Select ‘Major Policy’ then ‘MRLs for Pesticides’ to download the Korean MRLs (PDF approx 4 MB) | |
Malaysia |
Food Regulations 1985, Part VIII and Schedule 16 (Winzip 63 KB) | |
New Zealand |
Codex MRLs are recognised for Imported food, Australian MRLs recognised for food imported from Australia. If no MRL exists, a default MRL of 0.1 mg/kg applies | |
Russian Federation |
Unofficial consolidation of Russian MRLs (Excel 127 KB) | |
Singapore |
Sale of Food Act and Food Regulations, Ninth Schedule (PDF) | |
South Africa |
DOH Search Engine (Search for ‘Pesticide MRL Regulations’) | |
Switzerland |
MRLs listed in Annex I of Ordinance 817.021.23 (PDF) | |
Taiwan |
Food Safety Acts & Regulations – Pesticide Residue Limits in Foods (Word 1.6 MB) | |
Thailand |
Select Environmental Law then Environmental Quality Standard. MRLs are listed under Toxic Substances and Control | |
USA |
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR) Part 40, Section 180 |
Other pesticide MRL-related websites
Links to websites containing information on national or regional pesticide MRLs include:
EC Harmonised MRLs - searchable database [Atlanta Labelling Wizard]
MRLs for wine grapes and wine, established in a range of countries [Australian Wine Research Institute]
Searchable database of MRLs in a range of countries for US-registered pesticides on specialty crops [USDA FAS online]
Pesticide labels and MRLs in the USA [Washington State University]
This page was last updated on 6 September 2008
New Zealand Food Safety Authority
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