EU pesticide review update signals changes for fresh produce suppliers

The European Union continues its scheduled review of active substances used in plant protection products, according to the latest USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Early Alert. For fresh produce suppliers to the EU market, the process may lead to changes in authorisations and Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs).

Under EU rules, active ingredients are reassessed every 10-15 years. The review process typically lasts three years or more, and companies must submit renewal applications at least 36 months before approval expires. If an application is not filed or is withdrawn, the substance automatically expires. During the evaluation, substances are also tested against EU “cut-off” criteria, which can lead to non-renewal and possible removal of related MRLs.

The review operates under two core pieces of legislation:

Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, which governs the approval and renewal of active substances used in crop protection;

Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, which sets Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) permitted in food.

Methoxyfenozide is expected to expire on March 31, 2026 following non-support for renewal. Several substances have already expired between December 2024 and October 2025, including metaflumizone, fenpyrazamine, gamma-cyhalothrin, meptyldinocap, flufenacet and penthiopyrad. MRLs linked to expired substances may face future adjustment.

A further group — including cypermethrin, mefentrifluconazole, flutianil and florpyrauxifen-benzyl — is next in line for renewal review, with application deadlines falling in 2026.

When an active substance is not renewed, existing MRLs may be lowered, in some cases to the limit of quantification. For fruit and vegetable exporters, this may require adjustments to spray programmes, pre-harvest intervals and residue testing protocols. Import tolerances for third-country suppliers may also be affected.

Exporters shipping citrus, grapes, berries, stone fruit and vegetables to the EU generally monitor these timelines closely to maintain compliance with evolving residue standards.

source and photo: apps.fas.usda.gov