The European Commission has published Regulation (EU) 2026/1546, introducing significant changes to the regulatory framework for benomyl, carbendazim and thiophanate-methyl residues in food.
The key change concerns the residue definitions. Until now, official controls were based on the residue definition “Carbendazim and benomyl (sum of benomyl and carbendazim expressed as carbendazim)”, while thiophanate-methyl was regulated separately.
Since carbendazim may result either from the direct use of carbendazim or from the degradation of benomyl or thiophanate-methyl, the origin of detected residues could not always be clearly distinguished.
Under the new Regulation, the EU establishes separate MRLs and residue definitions for benomyl, carbendazim and thiophanate-methyl, with MRLs set at the conventional limit of quantification. This provides greater regulatory clarity and a more substance-specific approach to residue assessment.
Key Dates
- Entry into force: 29 July 2026.
- Date of application: 29 January 2027
Impact for Food Business Operators
The practical impact on routine pesticide monitoring is expected to be limited, as benomyl, carbendazim and thiophanate-methyl are already included in Neotron multimethods.
The residue definition differs for products of animal origin: Sum of carbendazim and 5-hydroxy-carbendazim, expressed as carbendazim.
Neotron is currently aligning our method to detect 5-hydroxy-carbendazim because of the updated definition for animal matrices. Following completion of this process, the multimethods will be updated accordingly to ensure full consistency with the new requirements.
Read the news regulation: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202601546&qid=1783950060258
About Neotron
Neotron is a premier European provider of analytical services, specializing in food, feed, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. With a focus on precise testing, sensory analysis, and R&D, Neotron ensures compliance with the highest global standards. As an accredited lab Neotron delivers innovative, tailored solutions to meet the diverse product development and quality control needs of its clients.