CHAPTER V

OFFICIAL CONTROLS, REPORTS AND SANCTIONS
SECTION 1

Official controls of MRLs

Official controls
Article 26
1
Each competent authority shall carry out official controls on pesticide residues in order to enforce compliance with this Regulation, in accordance with the relevant provisions of assimilated law relating to official controls for food and feed.
2
Such controls on pesticide residues shall, in particular, consist of sampling and subsequent analysis of the samples and identification of the pesticides present and their respective residue levels. Such controls shall also be carried out at the point of supply to the consumer.

Sampling
Article 27
1
Each competent authority shall take a sufficient number and range of samples to ensure that the results are representative of the market, taking into account the results of previous control programmes. Such sampling shall be carried out as close to the point of supply as is reasonable, to allow for any subsequent enforcement action to be taken.
2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Methods of analysis
Article 28
1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
All laboratories analysing samples for the official controls on pesticide residues must—
a
have regard to any relevant guidance;
b
participate in any proficiency tests for pesticides organised by a competent authority.
Deleted by Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2017 on official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products, amending Regulations (EC) No 999/2001, (EC) No 396/2005, (EC) No 1069/2009, (EC) No 1107/2009, (EU) No 1151/2012, (EU) No 652/2014, (EU) 2016/429 and (EU) 2016/2031 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Regulations (EC) No 1/2005 and (EC) No 1099/2009 and Council Directives 98/58/EC, 1999/74/EC, 2007/43/EC, 2008/119/EC and 2008/120/EC, and repealing Regulations (EC) No 854/2004 and (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directives 89/608/EEC, 89/662/EEC, 90/425/EEC, 91/496/EEC, 96/23/EC, 96/93/EC and 97/78/EC and Council Decision 92/438/EEC (Official Controls Regulation) (Text with EEA relevance).
Words in Art. 26(1) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Pesticides (Maximum Residue Levels) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/557), regs. 1(1), 7(2)(a); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
Words in Art. 27(1) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Pesticides (Maximum Residue Levels) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/557), regs. 1(1), 7(3)(a); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
Art. 28(3) substituted (31.12.2020) by S.I. 2019/557, reg. 7(4) (as substituted by The Pesticides (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1376), regs. 1(4), 6(5)(b))
Word in Art. 26(1) substituted (27.2.2025) by The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/82), reg. 1(2), Sch. 15 para. 72