GB MRL statutory Register

Following the UK’s exit from the EU, GB MRLs are set by inclusion in a new statutory Register, implemented and updated by means of this database.

This statutory Register (produced in the form of a database) comes into effect at the end of the Transition Period (TP). It includes MRLs and legal provisions set under EU Regulations before the end of the TP that have been carried forward into domestic law. As an additional means of verifying the MRLs set under EU Regulations before the end of the TP you should refer to the text of the Regulations concerned.

EU MRLs will apply in Northern Ireland at the end of the TP, so you should refer to the text of the EU Regulations to check the values concerned.

If a substance comes within the definition of a plant protection product, but specific GB MRLs have not been included in this register in Part 2, 3 or 5, the default MRL of 0.01 mg/kg will apply, unless the substance is exempt from MRLs through listing in Part 4: Part 4 - active substances exempt from MRLs.

All the content of the entries should be scrutinised, including links to details and footnote entries. These may contain important information, including the following:

• the residue definitions that apply when testing foods for compliance with MRLs, including where different residue definitions apply to specific commodities
• the dates when specific MRLs come into force;
• any transitional provisions that apply to the marketing of commodities or products treated before the coming in to force of a new MRL;
• any requirement to submit supplementary information (MRL confirmatory data) established as a condition of setting an MRL (NB - data submission deadlines that occurred prior to 01 January 2021 should be read as 01 September 2021). Where reference is made to the 'Commission' in a footnote, this should be read as 'competent authority'. The information outlined in a footnote should be submitted to HSE: Supplementary information (MRL confirmatory data);
• historical details of how MRLs have changed over time.

The parts of the statutory register

• Part 1 contains a list of products, product groups and (where appropriate) parts of products for which MRLs are set. A full list of these can be found here: Part 1 - food and feed products to which MRLs apply
• Part 2 contains ‘definitive’ MRLs that have been set for active substances.
• Part 3 contains ‘temporary’ MRLs, set for active substances that are awaiting an MRL review.
• Part 4 contains the list of evaluated active substances for which MRLs do not apply taking into account the uses of those active substances. A full list of these can be found here: Part 4 - active substances exempt from MRLs
• Part 5 contains a list of default values set for active substances which are not included in Part 2, Part 3 or Part 4 of the MRL register. The value set takes into account the routine analytical methods available.
• Part 6 of the MRLs register is intended to contain a list of specific concentration or dilution factors set for specified processing operations or processed/composite products. Currently no factors are included.
• Part 7 contains a list of combinations of active substances and products which exceeds the limits specified in Part 2 and Part 3 when used as a post-harvest fumigant provided that:
  1. such products are not intended for immediate consumption;
  2. appropriate controls are in place to ensure that such products cannot be made available to the end user or consumer, if they are supplied directly to the latter, until the residues no longer exceed the maximum levels specified in Part 2 or 3 of the MRLs register. Further information on Part 7, describing the active substances and products concerned can be found here: Part 7 - set by Regulation 260/2008