Sampling and measurement uncertainty for pesticide residues in a single regulation
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/765 replaced Directive 2002/63/EC. The default expanded uncertainty used when enforcing maximum residue levels is 50 %, and 20 % for copper.
- The regulation of 1 April 2026 covers in one act the sampling, preparation of the analytical portion, methods of analysis and interpretation of results in official control of pesticide residues in food and feed.
- A result is recorded as x ± U, in the same units and with the same number of decimal places; U is the expanded uncertainty calculated with a coverage factor of 2, that is at a 95 % level of confidence.
- A laboratory must demonstrate that its own uncertainty for a given combination of method, substance and commodity group is equal to or lower than the default value, but when an exceedance is found it reports the harmonised value.
- A sample is compliant when x − U ≤ the maximum residue level and non-compliant when x − U > that level; method validation must cover at least one representative commodity from each group, and different matrices require additional validation data.
Source: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/765 of 1 April 2026 — full text with annex