Farmers, traders and importers must comply with MRLs because they are responsible for food safety.
National authorities in the EU control and enforce MRLs by taking samples and checking pesticides levels.
The Commission ensures that this is done properly and uniformly through:
- Annual Report on Pesticide Residues (EFSA)
- EU multi-annual control programme - shows the main pesticide-crop combinations to monitor and the minimum number of samples for each EU country in an annual report.
- Non-EU countries' certification of compliance with EU Maximum Residue Levels for pesticides on food of animal origin.
- Sampling methods – Directive on Community methods of sampling for the official control of pesticide residues in and on products of plant and animal origin.
- EU Reference Laboratories - train staff, develop common analysis methods, evaluate national control laboratories.
- Health and Food audits and analysis Office - makes inspections in EU countries and audits their controls.
- The Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed alerts countries when pesticide residues are at a worrying level for consumers so that they can take measures.
- Member States competent authorities – contact points
- Guidelines for harmonised risk management approaches and enforcement action in cases of incidents involving food products containing genotoxic carcinogens