Carbendazim and thiophanate-methyl: all MRLs lowered to the LOQ, separate benomyl levels and new residue definitions
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/1546 (OJ of 9 July 2026) lowers all maximum residue levels for carbendazim and thiophanate-methyl to the limits of quantification and moves them to Annex V to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. The changes apply from 29 January 2027.
- Residue definitions change: the definition for carbendazim no longer includes benomyl, which receives separate reference MRLs in Annex V; in products of animal origin carbendazim becomes the sum of carbendazim and 5-hydroxy-carbendazim, expressed as carbendazim, while thiophanate-methyl is determined separately.
- Import tolerances in citrus fruits, mangoes, papayas and okra disappear: the supporting agricultural practices in citrus are no longer authorised, and EFSA’s 2024 combined assessment found an unacceptable risk for carbendazim in grapefruits, oranges, mangoes and papayas and for thiophanate-methyl also in mandarins.
- The approval of carbendazim expired on 30 November 2014, thiophanate-methyl was not renewed in 2020, and on 14 November 2025 the Codex Alimentarius Commission revoked all CXLs for the sum of carbendazim, benomyl and thiophanate-methyl; EFSA found evidence that both substances are aneugenic.
- Products placed on the market before 29 January 2027 remain subject to the previous MRLs, except carbendazim in grapefruits, oranges, papayas and mangoes and thiophanate-methyl in those fruits and in mandarins.
Source: Dziennik Urzędowy Unii Europejskiej — rozporządzenie Komisji (UE) 2026/1546