Analysis of neonicotinoids

Proposed repeal of the current EU import tolerances for thiacloprid

On 8 May 2024, the European Commission notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) that the import tolerances for thiacloprid will be repealed and the maximum residue levels for all products will be reduced to the product-specific technical detection limits^[1]. The current draft of the regulation to reduce the maximum levels for thiacloprid PLAN/2023/961_Rev8^[2,3,4] is expected to be published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 11 December 2024 and will enter into force 6 months after publication. No transition period is planned.

The approval of thiacloprid has already been revoked on 3 August 2020. The use-by date for formulations containing thiacloprid ended on 3 February 2021, since then the use of thiacloprid as an insecticide is no longer authorised in the EU. However, there are still import tolerances for thiacloprid for numerous products, some of which are well above the product-specific technical detection limits.

The European Commission's proposal to extend the import tolerances for thiacloprid (COM(2023)0739 - 2023/3005(RPS)^[5] was rejected by the European Parliament's Environment Committee with reference to the potentially harmful effects of thiacloprid on human health and its toxic effects on aquatic organisms and pollinating insects^[6].

In February 2024, France adopted a national law prohibiting the marketing of fruit and vegetables containing thiacloprid residues above 0.01 mg/kg. This national regulation will be repealed as soon as the new EU regulation is adopted, or after one year at the latest.

EFSA recommends lowering the ADI and ARfD for Acetamiprid

In its latest statement on the toxicological properties and MRLs of acetamiprid, published on 27 March 2024, EFSA recommends lowering the ADI and ARfD from 0.025 to 0.005 mg/kg body weight (per day). Furthermore, EFSA proposes a reduction of the acetamiprid MRLs for 38 different products, as the new, lower ARfD for these products may be exhausted by more than 100% even if the existing acetamiprid MRL is not exceeded.

The new EFSA recommendations are based on new scientific findings that indicate that acetamiprid has adverse effects on the development of the human brain and nervous system. However, there are still uncertainties in the evidence regarding the developmental neurotoxicological properties of acetamiprid, which is why further data are needed to allow a proper hazard and risk assessment^[7].

We support you in the analysis of neonicotinoids

Neonicotinoids such as imidacloprid, acetamiprid and thiacloprid are determined by LC-MS/MS as standard. The Eurofins Food & Feed Testing laboratories in Germany offer you the analysis of neonicotinoids in almost every LC-MS/MS pesticide screening or in every screening package that includes a liquid chromatographic test. We support you in the analysis of neonicotinoids in a wide range of products.