Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/73Dangos y teitl llawn

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,

Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 February 2005 on maximum residue levels of pesticides in or on food and feed of plant and animal origin and amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC(1), and in particular Article 14(1)(a) and Article 16(1)(a) thereof,

Whereas:

(1) For mercury compounds, maximum residue levels (MRLs) were set in Annex II and Part B of Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005.

(2) 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).

(3) 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.

(4) 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.

(5) 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.

(6) The Scientific Panel on contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM Panel) of the European Food Safety Authority, hereinafter ‘the Authority’, adopted an opinion on mercury and methylmercury in food(2).

(7) 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.

(8) 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.

(9) 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.

(10) 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.

(11) Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(12) 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)

a Limit of analytical determination
b For the complete list of products of plant and animal origin to which MRLs apply, reference should be made to Annex I.
(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’
Code number	Groups and examples of individual products to which the MRLs applyb	Mercury compounds (sum of mercury compounds expressed as mercury)
(1)	(2)	(3)
0100000	FRUITS, FRESH or FROZEN; TREE NUTS
0110000	Citrus fruits	0,01a
0110010	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	0,01a
0130010	Apples
0130020	Pears
0130030	Quinces
0130040	Medlars
0130050	Loquats/Japanese medlars
0130990	Others
0140000	Stone fruits	0,01a
0140010	Apricots
0140020	Cherries (sweet)
0140030	Peaches
0140040	Plums
0140990	Others
0150000	Berries and small fruits	0,01a
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	0,01a
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	0,01a
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	0,01a
0220010	Garlic
0220020	Onions
0220030	Shallots
0220040	Spring onions/green onions and Welsh onions
0220990	Others
0230000	Fruiting vegetables	0,01a
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)	0,01a
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	0,01a
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	0,01a
0252010	Spinaches
0252020	Purslanes
0252030	Chards/beet leaves
0252990	Others
0253000	(c) grape leaves and similar species	0,01a
0254000	(d) watercresses	0,01a
0255000	(e) witloofs/Belgian endives	0,01a
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	0,01a
0260010	Beans (with pods)
0260020	Beans (without pods)
0260030	Peas (with pods)
0260040	Peas (without pods)
0260050	Lentils
0260990	Others
0270000	Stem vegetables	0,01a
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	0,01a
0290000	Algae and prokaryotes organisms	0,01a
0300000	PULSES	0,01a
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	0,01a
0402020	Oil palms kernels	0,02a
0402030	Oil palms fruits	0,02a
0402040	Kapok	0,02a
0402990	Others	0,02a
0500000	CEREALS	0,01a
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	0,02a
0700000	HOPS	0,02a
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	0,01a
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	0,01 a
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	0,01 a
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	0,01 a
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	0,01 a
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	0,01 a
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	0,01a
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	0,01 a
1020000	Milk	0,01 (+)
1020010	Cattle
1020020	Sheep
1020030	Goat
1020040	Horse
1020990	Others
1030000	Birds eggs	0,01a
1030010	Chicken
1030020	Duck
1030030	Geese
1030040	Quail
1030990	Others
1040000	Honey and other apiculture products	0,01 (+)
1050000	Amphibians and Reptiles	0,01 a
1060000	Terrestrial invertebrate animals	0,01 a
1070000	Wild terrestrial vertebrate animals	0,04 (+)

(b)

In Part B, the column for mercury compounds is deleted.

(1)

OJ L 70, 16.3.2005, p. 1.

(2)

EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM); Scientific Opinion on the risk for public health related to the presence of mercury and methylmercury in food. EFSA Journal 2012;10(12):2985. [241 pp.].