Ban of Chlorpyrifos and Chlorpyrifos-methyl in the EU and the USA
EPA revoked tolerances for the insecticide
Aug 22/Sep 24 (update). The insecticides chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl are detected in a wide range of products, including fruits, vegetables as well as herbs, spices and tea, especially in fruit growing and in the treatment of citrus fruits, but they can also be used to treat cereal grains and empty warehouses in many parts of the world. They have no longer been permitted in the European Union since the beginning of 2020. In February 2022, the US EPA has also withdrawn all previous tolerances. Read here what applies inside and outside the EU.
Current legal situation in the European Union
On 10 January 2020, the European Commission formally confirmed the decision not to renew the authorisation for the insecticides chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl. Therefore, the authorisation for these substances expired at the end of January 2020. The MRLs for chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl were lowered to 0.01 mg/kg for all food and feed across the EU with effect from 13 November 2020. In Germany and seven other EU countries, both agents were already banned before 2020, but were still used in southern Europe and third countries.
North America joined in: Revocation of previous tolerances for chlopyrifos in the USA
In February 2022, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) withdrew all previous tolerances for chlorpyrifos in food. Until then, specific maximum levels existed in the USA for a wide range of products (including various fruits, vegetables, nuts and nuts). Transitional periods are granted for products with longer shelf-life dates.
Toxicology and current relevance of chlorpyrifos
The joint EU decision was also driven by the assessment of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) that chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl were of health concern, in particular with regard to their potential genotoxic and neurotoxic effects and possible health effects on children.
Chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl are now banned in the EU and the USA, but still in use in other countries. Due to imports, products treated with the substances can therefore still enter European and American trade. We therefore recommend including chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl in your testing plan for relevant raw materials on a risk-related basis.
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Related links
- EFSA News: Chlorpyrifos: assessment identifies human health effects
- European Commission: information on Chlorpyrifos & Chlorpyrifos-methyl
- EFSA online library: Updated statement on the available outcomes of the human health assessment in the context of the pesticides peer review of the active substance chlorpyrifos-methyl
- Corrigendum to Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/1085 of 23 July 2020 amending Annexes II and V to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 as regards maximum residue levels for chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl
- Regulations.gov | Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Tolerance Revocations: Chlorpyrifos
Written by:
Sandra Kobüssen
Eurofins Dr. Specht International GmbH
Katrin Rentsch
Eurofins SOFIA GmbH