Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/73
of 16 January 2018
amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for mercury compounds in or on certain products
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Whereas:
For mercury compounds, maximum residue levels (MRLs) were set in Annex II and Part B of Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005.
Council Directive 79/117/EEC prohibited the placing on the market and use of plant protection products containing mercury compounds. All authorisations of plant protection products containing mercury compounds were revoked and consequently all MRLs were set at the relevant limit of determination (LOD).
The Commission received information from food business operators and Member States showing the presence of mercury compounds in several products leading to higher residues than the LOD laid down in Regulation (EC) No 396/2005.
Recent monitoring data confirms that residues of mercury compounds occur in several products at levels higher than the LOD. Taking into account the 95th percentile of all the sample results, the following occurrences were reported: tree nuts at 0,02 mg/kg; fresh herbs at 0,03 mg/kg; cultivated fungi at 0,05 mg/kg; wild fungi at 0,50 mg/kg, except for ceps at 0,90 mg/kg; oilseeds at 0,02 mg/kg; teas, coffee beans, herbal infusions and cocoa beans at 0,02 mg/kg; spices at 0,02 mg/kg, except ginger, nutmeg, mace and turmeric at 0,05 mg/kg; meat at 0,01 mg/kg, except for meat of wild game animals at 0,015 mg/kg and duck meat (farmed and wild) at 0,04 mg/kg; animal fat at 0,01 mg/kg; edible offal at 0,02 mg/kg except for offal of wild game animals at 0,025 mg/kg and offal of wild boar at 0,10 mg/kg; milk at 0,01 mg/kg; and honey at 0,01 mg/kg.
As mercury containing pesticides have been phased out since more than thirty years in the Union, the presence of mercury in food can be considered due to environmental contamination. It is therefore appropriate to replace the default values with the ones listed in recital 4, thus reflecting environmental background of mercury in Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. This will enable national competent authorities to take appropriate enforcement action on the basis of realistic MRLs.
As mercury compounds occur at low levels in the products listed in recital 4 and taking into account the available consumption data within the Union, the overall contribution to the dietary exposure is considered low and there is no health risk for consumers. The MRLs for those products should be set as temporary in Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. Those MRLs will be reviewed; the review will take into account the information available within 10 years from the publication of this Regulation.
The Commission consulted the European Union reference laboratories for residues of pesticides as regards the need to adapt the LODs. Those laboratories concluded that the current LODs should be maintained.
Based on the opinion of the Authority and taking into account the factors relevant to the matter under consideration, the appropriate modifications to the MRLs fulfil the requirements of Article 14(2) of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005.
Through the World Trade Organisation, the trading partners of the Union were consulted on the new MRLs and their comments have been taken into account.
Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 should therefore be amended accordingly.
The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Article 1
Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 are amended in accordance with the Annex to this Regulation.
Article 2
This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Brussels, 16 January 2018.
For the Commission
The President
Jean-Claude Juncker
ANNEX
Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 are amended as follows:
- (1)
In Annex II, the column for mercury compounds is deleted.
- (2)
Annex III is amended as follows:
- (a)
In Part A, the column for mercury compounds is added:
‘Pesticide residues and maximum residue levels (mg/kg)Code number
Groups and examples of individual products to which the MRLs apply4Mercury compounds (sum of mercury compounds expressed as mercury)
(1)
(2)
(3)
0100000
FRUITS, FRESH or FROZEN; TREE NUTS
0110000
Citrus fruits
0,0130110010
Grapefruits
0110020
Oranges
0110030
Lemons
0110040
Limes
0110050
Mandarins
0110990
Others
0120000
Tree nuts
0,02 (+)
0120010
Almonds
0120020
Brazil nuts
0120030
Cashew nuts
0120040
Chestnuts
0120050
Coconuts
0120060
Hazelnuts/cobnuts
0120070
Macadamias
0120080
Pecans
0120090
Pine nut kernels
0120100
Pistachios
0120110
Walnuts
0120990
Others
0130000
Pome fruits
0,013
0130010
Apples
0130020
Pears
0130030
Quinces
0130040
Medlars
0130050
Loquats/Japanese medlars
0130990
Others
0140000
Stone fruits
0,013
0140010
Apricots
0140020
Cherries (sweet)
0140030
Peaches
0140040
Plums
0140990
Others
0150000
Berries and small fruits
0,013
0151000
(a)
grapes
0151010
Table grapes
0151020
Wine grapes
0152000
(b)
strawberries
0153000
(c)
cane fruits
0153010
Blackberries
0153020
Dewberries
0153030
Raspberries (red and yellow)
0153990
Others
0154000
(d)
other small fruits and berries
0154010
Blueberries
0154020
Cranberries
0154030
Currants (black, red and white)
0154040
Gooseberries (green, red and yellow)
0154050
Rose hips
0154060
Mulberries (black and white)
0154070
Azaroles/Mediterranean medlars
0154080
Elderberries
0154990
Others
0160000
Miscellaneous fruits with
0,013
0161000
(a)
edible peel
0161010
Dates
0161020
Figs
0161030
Table olives
0161040
Kumquats
0161050
Carambolas
0161060
Kaki/Japanese persimmons
0161070
Jambuls/jambolans
0161990
Others
0162000
(b)
inedible peel, small
0162010
Kiwi fruits (green, red, yellow)
0162020
Litchis/lychees
0162030
Passionfruits/maracujas
0162040
Prickly pears/cactus fruits
0162050
Star apples/cainitos
0162060
American persimmons/Virginia kaki
0162990
Others
0163000
(c)
inedible peel, large
0163010
Avocados
0163020
Bananas
0163030
Mangoes
0163040
Papayas
0163050
Granate apples/pomegranates
0163060
Cherimoyas
0163070
Guavas
0163080
Pineapples
0163090
Breadfruits
0163100
Durians
0163110
Soursops/guanabanas
0163990
Others
0200000
VEGETABLES, FRESH or FROZEN
0210000
Root and tuber vegetables
0,013
0211000
(a)
potatoes
0212000
(b)
tropical root and tuber vegetables
0212010
Cassava roots/manioc
0212020
Sweet potatoes
0212030
Yams
0212040
Arrowroots
0212990
Others
0213000
(c)
other root and tuber vegetables except sugar beets
0213010
Beetroots
0213020
Carrots
0213030
Celeriacs/turnip rooted celeries
0213040
Horseradishes
0213050
Jerusalem artichokes
0213060
Parsnips
0213070
Parsley roots/Hamburg roots parsley
0213080
Radishes
0213090
Salsifies
0213100
Swedes/rutabagas
0213110
Turnips
0213990
Others
0220000
Bulb vegetables
0,013
0220010
Garlic
0220020
Onions
0220030
Shallots
0220040
Spring onions/green onions and Welsh onions
0220990
Others
0230000
Fruiting vegetables
0,013
0231000
(a)
solanacea
0231010
Tomatoes
0231020
Sweet peppers/bell peppers
0231030
Aubergines/eggplants
0231040
Okra/lady's fingers
0231990
Others
0232000
(b)
cucurbits with edible peel
0232010
Cucumbers
0232020
Gherkins
0232030
Courgettes
0232990
Others
0233000
(c)
cucurbits with inedible peel
0233010
Melons
0233020
Pumpkins
0233030
Watermelons
0233990
Others
0234000
(d)
sweet corn
0239000
(e)
other fruiting vegetables
0240000
Brassica vegetables (excluding brassica roots and brassica baby leaf crops)
0,013
0241000
(a)
flowering brassica
0241010
Broccoli
0241020
Cauliflowers
0241990
Others
0242000
(b)
head brassica
0242010
Brussels sprouts
0242020
Head cabbages
0242990
Others
0243000
(c)
leafy brassica
0243010
Chinese cabbages/pe-tsai
0243020
Kales
0243990
Others
0244000
(d)
kohlrabies
0250000
Leaf vegetables, herbs and edible flowers
0251000
(a)
lettuces and salad plants
0,013
0251010
Lamb's lettuces/corn salads
0251020
Lettuces
0251030
Escaroles/broad-leaved endives
0251040
Cresses and other sprouts and shoots
0251050
Land cresses
0251060
Roman rocket/rucola
0251070
Red mustards
0251080
Baby leaf crops (including brassica species)
0251990
Others
0252000
(b)
spinaches and similar leaves
0,013
0252010
Spinaches
0252020
Purslanes
0252030
Chards/beet leaves
0252990
Others
0253000
(c)
grape leaves and similar species
0,013
0254000
(d)
watercresses
0,013
0255000
(e)
witloofs/Belgian endives
0,013
0256000
(f)
herbs and edible flowers
0,03 (+)
0256010
Chervil
0256020
Chives
0256030
Celery leaves
0256040
Parsley
0256050
Sage
0256060
Rosemary
0256070
Thyme
0256080
Basil and edible flowers
0256090
Laurel/bay leave
0256100
Tarragon
0256990
Others
0260000
Legume vegetables
0,013
0260010
Beans (with pods)
0260020
Beans (without pods)
0260030
Peas (with pods)
0260040
Peas (without pods)
0260050
Lentils
0260990
Others
0270000
Stem vegetables
0,013
0270010
Asparagus
0270020
Cardoons
0270030
Celeries
0270040
Florence fennels
0270050
Globe artichokes
0270060
Leeks
0270070
Rhubarbs
0270080
Bamboo shoots
0270090
Palm hearts
0270990
Others
0280000
Fungi, mosses and lichens
0280010
Cultivated fungi
0,05 (+)
0280020
Wild fungi
0,5 (+)
0280990
Mosses and lichens
0,013
0290000
Algae and prokaryotes organisms
0,013
0300000
PULSES
0,013
0300010
Beans
0300020
Lentils
0300030
Peas
0300040
Lupins/lupini beans
0300990
Others
0400000
OILSEEDS AND OIL FRUITS
0401000
Oilseeds
0,02 (+)
0401010
Linseeds
0401020
Peanuts/groundnuts
0401030
Poppy seeds
0401040
Sesame seeds
0401050
Sunflower seeds
0401060
Rapeseeds/canola seeds
0401070
Soyabeans
0401080
Mustard seeds
0401090
Cotton seeds
0401100
Pumpkin seeds
0401110
Safflower seeds
0401120
Borage seeds
0401130
Gold of pleasure seeds
0401140
Hemp seeds
0401150
Castor beans
0401990
Others
0402000
Oil fruits
0402010
Olives for oil production
0,013
0402020
Oil palms kernels
0,023
0402030
Oil palms fruits
0,023
0402040
Kapok
0,023
0402990
Others
0,023
0500000
CEREALS
0,013
0500010
Barley
0500020
Buckwheat and other pseudo-cereals
0500030
Maize/corn
0500040
Common millet/proso millet
0500050
Oat
0500060
Rice
0500070
Rye
0500080
Sorghum
0500090
Wheat
0500990
Others
0600000
TEAS, COFFEE, HERBAL INFUSIONS, COCOA AND CAROBS
0610000
Teas
0,02 (+)
0620000
Coffee beans
0,02 (+)
0630000
Herbal infusions from
0,02 (+)
0631000
(a)
flowers
0631010
Chamomile
0631020
Hibiscus/roselle
0631030
Rose
0631040
Jasmine
0631050
Lime/linden
0631990
Others
0632000
(b)
leaves and herbs
0632010
Strawberry
0632020
Rooibos
0632030
Mate/maté
0632990
Others
0633000
(c)
roots
0633010
Valerian
0633020
Ginseng
0633990
Others
0639000
(d)
any other parts of the plant
0640000
Cocoa beans
0,02 (+)
0650000
Carobs/Saint John's breads
0,023
0700000
HOPS
0,023
0800000
SPICES
(+)
0810000
Seed spices
0810010
Anise/aniseed
0,02
0810020
Black caraway/black cumin
0,02
0810030
Celery
0,02
0810040
Coriander
0,02
0810050
Cumin
0,02
0810060
Dill
0,02
0810070
Fennel
0,02
0810080
Fenugreek
0,02
0810090
Nutmeg
0,05
0810990
Others
0,02
0820000
Fruit spices
0,02
0820010
Allspice/pimento
0820020
Sichuan pepper
0820030
Caraway
0820040
Cardamom
0820050
Juniper berry
0820060
Peppercorn (black, green and white)
0820070
Vanilla
0820080
Tamarind
0820990
Others
0830000
Bark spices
0,02
0830010
Cinnamon
0830990
Others
0840000
Root and rhizome spices
0840010
Liquorice
0,02
0840020
Ginger
0,05
0840030
Turmeric/curcuma
0,05
0840040
Horseradish
0840990
Others
0,02
0850000
Bud spices
0,02
0850010
Cloves
0850020
Capers
0850990
Others
0860000
Flower pistil spices
0,02
0860010
Saffron
0860990
Others
0870000
Aril spices
0870010
Mace
0,05
0870990
Others
0,02
0900000
SUGAR PLANTS
0,013
0900010
Sugar beet roots
0900020
Sugar canes
0900030
Chicory roots
0900990
Others
1000000
PRODUCTS OF ANIMAL ORIGIN -TERRESTRIAL ANIMALS
1010000
Tissues from
1011000
(a)
swine
(+)
1011010
Muscle
0,01
1011020
Fat tissue
0,01
1011030
Liver
0,02
1011040
Kidney
0,02
1011050
Edible offals (other than liver and kidney)
0,02
1011990
Others
0,013
1012000
(b)
bovine
(+)
1012010
Muscle
0,01
1012020
Fat tissue
0,01
1012030
Liver
0,02
1012040
Kidney
0,02
1012050
Edible offals (other than liver and kidney)
0,02
1012990
Others
0,013
1013000
(c)
sheep
(+)
1013010
Muscle
0,01
1013020
Fat tissue
0,01
1013030
Liver
0,02
1013040
Kidney
0,02
1013050
Edible offals (other than liver and kidney)
0,02
1013990
Others
0,013
1014000
(d)
goat
(+)
1014010
Muscle
0,01
1014020
Fat tissue
0,01
1014030
Liver
0,02
1014040
Kidney
0,02
1014050
Edible offals (other than liver and kidney)
0,02
1014990
Others
0,013
1015000
(e)
equine
(+)
1015010
Muscle
0,01
1015020
Fat tissue
0,01
1015030
Liver
0,02
1015040
Kidney
0,02
1015050
Edible offals (other than liver and kidney)
0,02
1015990
Others
0,013
1016000
(f)
poultry
1016010
Muscle
0,01 (+)
1016020
Fat tissue
0,01 (+)
1016030
Liver
0,02 (+)
1016040
Kidney
0,02 (+)
1016050
Edible offals (other than liver and kidney)
0,02 (+)
1016990
Others
0,013
1017000
(g)
other farmed terrestrial animals
(+)
1017010
Muscle
0,01
1017020
Fat tissue
0,01
1017030
Liver
0,02
1017040
Kidney
0,02
1017050
Edible offals (other than liver and kidney)
0,02
1017990
Others
0,013
1020000
Milk
0,01 (+)
1020010
Cattle
1020020
Sheep
1020030
Goat
1020040
Horse
1020990
Others
1030000
Birds eggs
0,013
1030010
Chicken
1030020
Duck
1030030
Geese
1030040
Quail
1030990
Others
1040000
Honey and other apiculture products
0,01 (+)
1050000
Amphibians and Reptiles
0,013
1060000
Terrestrial invertebrate animals
0,013
1070000
Wild terrestrial vertebrate animals
0,04 (+)
- (F)
Fat soluble
Mercury compounds (sum of mercury compounds expressed as mercury)
(+) Monitoring data show that residues occur due to environmental contamination. When re-viewing the MRL, the Commission will take into account the information available within 10 years from the date of publication.
- 0120000
Tree nuts
- 0256000
herbs and edible flowers
- 0280010
Cultivated fungi
(+) The following MRL applies to ceps: 0,9 mg/kg. Monitoring data show that residues occur due to environmental contamination. When re-viewing the MRL, the Commission will take into account the information available within 10 years from the date of publication.
- 0280020
Wild fungi
(+) Monitoring data show that residues occur due to environmental contamination. When re-viewing the MRL, the Commission will take into account the information available within 10 years from the date of publication.
- 0401000
Oilseeds
- 0610000
Teas
- 0620000
Coffee beans
- 0630000
Herbal infusions from
- 0640000
Cocoa beans
- 0800000
SPICES
(+) The applicable maximum residue level for horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) in the spice group (code 0840040) is the one set for horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) in the Vegetables category, root and tuber vegetables group (code 0213040) taking into account changes in the levels by processing (drying) according to Art. 20 (1) of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005.
- 0840040
Horseradish
(+) Monitoring data show that residues occur due to environmental contamination. When re-viewing the MRL, the Commission will take into account the information available within 10 years from the date of publication.
- 1011000
Tissues from swine
- 1012000
Tissues from bovine
- 1013000
Tissues from sheep
- 1014000
Tissues from goat
- 1015000
Tissues from equine
(+) The following MRL applies to duck meat: 0,04 mg/kg. Monitoring data show that residues occur due to environmental contamination. When re-viewing the MRL, the Commission will take into account the information available within 10 years from the date of publication.
- 1016010
Muscle (poultry)
(+) Monitoring data show that residues occur due to environmental contamination. When re-viewing the MRL, the Commission will take into account the information available within 10 years from the date of publication.
- 1016020
Fat tissue (poultry)
- 1016030
Liver (poultry)
- 1016040
Kidney (poultry)
- 1016050
Edible offals (poultry)
- 1017000
Tissues from other farmed terrestrial animals
- 1020000
Milk
- 1040000
Honey and other apiculture products
(+) The following MRL applies to offal of wild boar: 0,1 mg/kg. Monitoring data show that residues occur due to environmental contamination. When re-viewing the MRL, the Commission will take into account the information available within 10 years from the date of publication.
- 1070000
Wild terrestrial vertebrate animals’
- (F)
- (b)
In Part B, the column for mercury compounds is deleted.
- (a)