What is a 'Maximum Residue Level' (MRL), and how are they set?

A maximum residue level or MRL is the maximum amount of residue legally permitted on food. Once residues are demonstrated to be safe for consumers, MRLs are set by independent scientists, based on rigorous evaluation of each pesticide legally authorised. They act as an indicator of the correct use of pesticides, and ensure compliance with legal requirements for low residues on unprocessed food. MRLs are trading standards used to ensure that imported and exported food is safe to eat. In practice, they allow the free movement of goods within the EU and from the rest of the world.

Watch our webinar on pesticide residues and MRLs.

For a particular pesticide, a 68 kg man would have to eat 3,000 heads of lettuce every day of his life to exceed the level of a residue that has been proven to have no effect on laboratory animals.

In the same way, for another pesticide, an 18 kg boy would have to eat 534 apples every day of his life to exceed a residue level that is not dangerous to laboratory animals. And an 18 kg girl would have to eat 13,636 kg of carrots every day of her life to exceed such a level.

Since 1st September 2008, MRLs are now established by an independent scientific authority at European level. ECPA welcomes this, as it enhances the transparency and harmonization. In practice, one MRL is set for one crop and one pesticide in all EU countries. It also provides wider options for farmers to use the best suited pesticide for their crop. MRLs are not safety limits. In practice, they are set at levels low enough to ensure that safety margins protecting the consumer are not reached. For more info on two specific safety values used, the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) and the Acute Reference Dose (ARfD).

Click here to learn more about European legislation monitoring residues on food.