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Document 32020R0749

Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/749 of 4 June 2020 amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for chlorate in or on certain products (Text with EEA relevance)

C/2020/3541

OJ L 178, 8.6.2020, p. 7–20 (BG, ES, CS, DA, DE, ET, EL, EN, FR, HR, IT, LV, LT, HU, MT, NL, PL, PT, RO, SK, SL, FI, SV)

Legal status of the document In force

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2020/749/oj

8.6.2020   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 178/7

COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2020/749

of 4 June 2020

amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for chlorate 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)

According to Commission Decision 2008/865/EC (2) all authorisations for plant protection products containing chlorate have been revoked following the non-inclusion of chlorate in Annex I to Council Directive 91/414/EEC (3).

(2)

No specific maximum residue levels (MRLs) have been set for chlorate and, as this substance has not been included in Annex IV to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, currently the default MRL of 0,01 mg/kg applies to all food and feed commodities included in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005.

(3)

Apart from its former use in plant protection products, chlorate is also a substance that is formed as by-product resulting from the use of chlorine disinfectants in food and drinking water processing. These uses lead to the current situation of detectable residues of chlorate in food.

(4)

The European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) collected between 2014 and 2018 monitoring data to investigate the presence of residues of chlorate in food and drinking water. Those data indicated that chlorate residues are present at levels that frequently exceed the default MRL of 0,01 mg/kg and that the levels vary depending on the source and the product. It follows from those findings that even if good practices are used, it is currently not possible to achieve levels of chlorate residues compliant with the current MRL of 0,01 mg/kg.

(5)

The Authority adopted a scientific opinion concerning the risks for public health related to the presence of chlorate in food (4). In that opinion the Authority established a tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 3 μg/kg body weight per day and an acute reference dose (ARfD) of 36 μg/kg body weight. The Authority concluded that based on the data collected in 2014 the acute dietary exposure to chlorate did not exceed the ARfD. The mean dietary exposures to chlorate in European countries exceeded the TDI in certain subgroups of the population such as infants and young children with mild to moderate iodine deficiency.

(6)

In order to bring chlorate levels down and reduce exposure through coordinated action in several relevant and related sectors, a multi-disciplinary action plan was agreed by the Member States in 2017 comprising a set of actions to be taken in parallel, including actions on drinking water, hygiene, and the setting of temporary maximum residue levels for food and feed.

(7)

This Regulation addresses the setting of temporary maximum levels in food. For this purpose a large number of occurrence data was collected between 2014 and 2018, both by Member States and by food business operators. The data shows a general trend towards decreasing levels, suggesting that manufacturing practices have already improved to a certain extent. In the specific case of chlorate, for which residues do not stem from pesticide use but result from use of chlorine-based solutions in food processing and drinking water treatment, maximum levels should be set at levels which are ‘as low as reasonably achievable’ (ALARA principle) by following good manufacturing practices while ensuring at the same time that good hygiene practices remain possible. This approach ensures that food business operators apply measures to prevent and reduce the chlorate levels in food as far as possible in order to protect public health, but also take into account the need for microbiological safety of food.

(8)

Temporary MRLs for chlorate according to the ALARA principle are based on the 95th percentile of the occurrence data, taking into account the use of legitimately treated drinking water in food processing.The temporary MRLs should be reviewed at the latest within five years of publication of this Regulation in the light of possible developments in the area of hygiene, of drinking water, further progress made by food business operators to bring chlorate levels down,or whenever new information and data become available that would warrant an earlier review.

(9)

The Commission consulted the European Union reference laboratories on appropriate limits of determination (LODs) for chlorate residues in certain specific commodties.

(10)

Based on the scientific opinion of the Authority and taking into account the factors relevant to the matter under consideration, the proposed MRLs fulfil the requirements of Article 14(2) of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005.

(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

Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Regulation.

Article 2

The temporary MRLs for chlorate shall be reviewed not later than 8 June 2025.

Article 3

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, 4 June 2020.

For the Commission

The President

Ursula VON DER LEYEN

(1)  OJ L 70, 16.3.2005, p. 1.

(2)  Commission Decision 2008/865/EC of 10 November 2008 concerning the non-inclusion of chlorate in Annex I to Council Directive 91/414/EEC and the withdrawal of authorisations for plant protection products containing that substance (OJ L 307, 18.11.2008, p. 7).

(3)  Council Directive 91/414/EEC of 15 July 1991 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market (OJ L 230, 19.8.1991, p. 1).

(4)  EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), 2015. Scientific opinion on the risks for public health related to the presence of chlorate in food. EFSA Journal 2015;13(6):4135, 103 pp.

ANNEX

In Part A of Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 the following column for chlorate is added:

‘Pesticide residues and maximum residue levels (mg/kg)

Code number

Groups and examples of individual products to which the MRLs apply (a)

Chlorate (A)

(1)

(2)

(3)

0100000

 

FRUITS, FRESH or FROZEN; TREE NUTS

 

0110000

 

Citrus fruits

0,05

0110010

 

Grapefruits

 

0110020

 

Oranges

 

0110030

 

Lemons

 

0110040

 

Limes

 

0110050

 

Mandarins

 

0110990

 

Others (2)

 

0120000

 

Tree nuts

0,1

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 (2)

 

0130000

 

Pome fruits

0,05

0130010

 

Apples

 

0130020

 

Pears

 

0130030

 

Quinces

 

0130040

 

Medlars

 

0130050

 

Loquats/Japanese medlars

 

0130990

 

Others (2)

 

0140000

 

Stone fruits

0,05

0140010

 

Apricots

 

0140020

 

Cherries (sweet)

 

0140030

 

Peaches

 

0140040

 

Plums

 

0140990

 

Others (2)

 

0150000

 

Berries and small fruits

0,05

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 (2)

 

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 (2)

 

0160000

 

Miscellaneous fruitswith

 

0161000

(a)

edible peel

 

0161010

 

Dates

0,3

0161020

 

Figs

0,3

0161030

 

Table olives

0,7

0161040

 

Kumquats

0,3

0161050

 

Carambolas

0,3

0161060

 

Kaki/Japanese persimmons

0,3

0161070

 

Jambuls/jambolans

0,3

0161990

 

Others (2)

0,3

0162000

(b)

inedible peel, small

0,3

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 (2)

 

0163000

(c)

inedible peel, large

0,3

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 (2)

 

0200000

 

VEGETABLES, FRESH or FROZEN

 

0210000

 

Root and tuber vegetables

 

0211000

(a)

potatoes

0,05

0212000

(b)

tropical root and tuber vegetables

0,05

0212010

 

Cassava roots/manioc

 

0212020

 

Sweet potatoes

 

0212030

 

Yams

 

0212040

 

Arrowroots

 

0212990

 

Others (2)

 

0213000

(c)

other root and tuber vegetables except sugar beets

0,15

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 (2)

 

0220000

 

Bulb vegetables

 

0220010

 

Garlic

0,7

0220020

 

Onions

0,5

0220030

 

Shallots

0,5

0220040

 

Spring onions/green onions and Welsh onions

0,5

0220990

 

Others (2)

0,05

0230000

 

Fruiting vegetables

 

0231000

(a)

Solanaceae and Malvaceae

 

0231010

 

Tomatoes

0,1

0231020

 

Sweet peppers/bell peppers

0,3

0231030

 

Aubergines/eggplants

0,4

0231040

 

Okra/lady's fingers

0,1

0231990

 

Others (2)

0,1

0232000

(b)

cucurbits with edible peel

0,2

0232010

 

Cucumbers

 

0232020

 

Gherkins

 

0232030

 

Courgettes

 

0232990

 

Others (2)

 

0233000

(c)

cucurbits with inedible peel

0,08

0233010

 

Melons

 

0233020

 

Pumpkins

 

0233030

 

Watermelons

 

0233990

 

Others (2)

 

0234000

(d)

sweet corn

0,1

0239000

(e)

other fruiting vegetables

0,1

0240000

 

Brassica vegetables(excluding brassica roots and brassica baby leaf crops)

 

0241000

(a)

flowering brassica

 

0241010

 

Broccoli

0,4

0241020

 

Cauliflowers

0,06

0241990

 

Others (2)

0,06

0242000

(b)

head brassica

0,07

0242010

 

Brussels sprouts

 

0242020

 

Head cabbages

 

0242990

 

Others (2)

 

0243000

(c)

leafy brassica

 

0243010

 

Chinese cabbages/pe-tsai

0,06

0243020

 

Kales

0,2

0243990

 

Others (2)

0,06

0244000

(d)

kohlrabies

0,06

0250000

 

Leaf vegetables, herbs and edible flowers

0,7

0251000

(a)

lettuces and salad plants

 

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 (2)

 

0252000

(b)

spinaches and similar leaves

 

0252010

 

Spinaches

 

0252020

 

Purslanes

 

0252030

 

Chards/beet leaves

 

0252990

 

Others (2)

 

0253000

(c)

grape leaves and similar species

 

0254000

(d)

watercresses

 

0255000

(e)

witloofs/Belgian endives

 

0256000

(f)

herbs and edible flowers

 

0256010

 

Chervil

 

0256020

 

Chives

 

0256030

 

Celery leaves

 

0256040

 

Parsley

 

0256050

 

Sage

 

0256060

 

Rosemary

 

0256070

 

Thyme

 

0256080

 

Basil and edible flowers

 

0256090

 

Laurel/bay leaves

 

0256100

 

Tarragon

 

0256990

 

Others (2)

 

0260000

 

Legume vegetables

0,35

0260010

 

Beans (with pods)

 

0260020

 

Beans (without pods)

 

0260030

 

Peas (with pods)

 

0260040

 

Peas (without pods)

 

0260050

 

Lentils

 

0260990

 

Others (2)

 

0270000

 

Stem vegetables

0,25

0270010

 

Asparagus

 

0270020

 

Cardoons

 

0270030

 

Celeries

 

0270040

 

Florence fennels

 

0270050

 

Globe artichokes

 

0270060

 

Leeks

 

0270070

 

Rhubarbs

 

0270080

 

Bamboo shoots

 

0270090

 

Palm hearts

 

0270990

 

Others (2)

 

0280000

 

Fungi, mosses and lichens

 

0280010

 

Cultivated fungi

0,7

0280020

 

Wild fungi

0,7

0280990

 

Mosses and lichens

0,05

0290000

 

Algae and prokaryotes organisms

0,05

0300000

 

PULSES

0,35

0300010

 

Beans

 

0300020

 

Lentils

 

0300030

 

Peas

 

0300040

 

Lupins/lupini beans

 

0300990

 

Others (2)

 

0400000

 

OILSEEDS AND OIL FRUITS

 

0401000

 

Oilseeds

0,05

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 (2)

 

0402000

 

Oil fruits

0,7

0402010

 

Olives for oil production

 

0402020

 

Oil palms kernels

 

0402030

 

Oil palms fruits

 

0402040

 

Kapok

 

0402990

 

Others (2)

 

0500000

 

CEREALS

0,05

0500010

 

Barley

 

0500020

 

Buckwheat and other pseudocereals

 

0500030

 

Maize/corn

 

0500040

 

Common millet/proso millet

 

0500050

 

Oat

 

0500060

 

Rice

 

0500070

 

Rye

 

0500080

 

Sorghum

 

0500090

 

Wheat

 

0500990

 

Others (2)

 

0600000

 

TEAS, COFFEE, HERBAL INFUSIONS, COCOA AND CAROBS

0,05

0610000

 

Teas

 

0620000

 

Coffee beans

 

0630000

 

Herbal infusions from

 

0631000

(a)

flowers

 

0631010

 

Chamomile

 

0631020

 

Hibiscus/roselle

 

0631030

 

Rose

 

0631040

 

Jasmine

 

0631050

 

Lime/linden

 

0631990

 

Others (2)

 

0632000

(b)

leaves and herbs

 

0632010

 

Strawberry

 

0632020

 

Rooibos

 

0632030

 

Mate/maté

 

0632990

 

Others (2)

 

0633000

(c)

roots

 

0633010

 

Valerian

 

0633020

 

Ginseng

 

0633990

 

Others (2)

 

0639000

(d)

any other parts of the plant

 

0640000

 

Cocoa beans

 

0650000

 

Carobs/Saint John's breads

 

0700000

 

HOPS

0,05

0800000

 

SPICES

 

0810000

 

Seed spices

0,07

0810010

 

Anise/aniseed

 

0810020

 

Black caraway/black cumin

 

0810030

 

Celery

 

0810040

 

Coriander

 

0810050

 

Cumin

 

0810060

 

Dill

 

0810070

 

Fennel

 

0810080

 

Fenugreek

 

0810090

 

Nutmeg

 

0810990

 

Others (2)

 

0820000

 

Fruit spices

0,07

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 (2)

 

0830000

 

Bark spices

0,07

0830010

 

Cinnamon

 

0830990

 

Others (2)

 

0840000

 

Root and rhizome spices

 

0840010

 

Liquorice

0,07

0840020

 

Ginger (10)

 

0840030

 

Turmeric/curcuma

0,07

0840040

 

Horseradish (11)

 

0840990

 

Others (2)

0,07

0850000

 

Bud spices

0,07

0850010

 

Cloves

 

0850020

 

Capers

 

0850990

 

Others (2)

 

0860000

 

Flower pistil spices

0,07

0860010

 

Saffron

 

0860990

 

Others (2)

 

0870000

 

Aril spices

0,07

0870010

 

Mace

 

0870990

 

Others (2)

 

0900000

 

SUGAR PLANTS

0,05

0900010

 

Sugar beet roots

 

0900020

 

Sugar canes

 

0900030

 

Chicory roots

 

0900990

 

Others (2)

 

1000000

 

PRODUCTS OF ANIMAL ORIGIN -TERRESTRIAL ANIMALS

 

1010000

 

Commodities from

 

1011000

(a)

swine

 

1011010

 

Muscle

0,05

1011020

 

Fat

0,1(*)

1011030

 

Liver

0,05

1011040

 

Kidney

0,05

1011050

 

Edible offals (other than liver and kidney)

0,05

1011990

 

Others (2)

0,05

1012000

(b)

bovine

 

1012010

 

Muscle

0,05

1012020

 

Fat

0,1(*)

1012030

 

Liver

0,05

1012040

 

Kidney

0,05

1012050

 

Edible offals (other than liver and kidney)

0,05

1012990

 

Others (2)

0,05

1013000

(c)

sheep

 

1013010

 

Muscle

0,05

1013020

 

Fat

0,1(*)

1013030

 

Liver

0,05

1013040

 

Kidney

0,05

1013050

 

Edible offals (other than liver and kidney)

0,05

1013990

 

Others (2)

0,05

1014000

d)

goat

 

1014010

 

Muscle

0,05

1014020

 

Fat

0,1(*)

1014030

 

Liver

0,05

1014040

 

Kidney

0,05

1014050

 

Edible offals (other than liver and kidney)

0,05

1014990

 

Others (2)

0,05

1015000

(e)

equine

 

1015010

 

Muscle

0,05

1015020

 

Fat

0,1(*)

1015030

 

Liver

0,05

1015040

 

Kidney

0,05

1015050

 

Edible offals (other than liver and kidney)

0,05

1015990

 

Others (2)

0,05

1016000

(f)

poultry

 

1016010

 

Muscle

0,05

1016020

 

Fat

0,1(*)

1016030

 

Liver

0,05

1016040

 

Kidney

0,05

1016050

 

Edible offals (other than liver and kidney)

0,05

1016990

 

Others (2)

0,05

1017000

(g)

other farmed terrestrial animals

 

1017010

 

Muscle

0,05

1017020

 

Fat

0,1(*)

1017030

 

Liver

0,05

1017040

 

Kidney

0,05

1017050

 

Edible offals (other than liver and kidney)

0,05

1017990

 

Others (2)

0,05

1020000

 

Milk

0,1

1020010

 

Cattle

(+)

1020020

 

Sheep

(+)

1020030

 

Goat

(+)

1020040

 

Horse

(+)

1020990

 

Others (2)

 

1030000

 

Birds eggs

0,05

1030010

 

Chicken

 

1030020

 

Duck

 

1030030

 

Geese

 

1030040

 

Quail

 

1030990

 

Others (2)

 

1040000

 

Honey and other apiculture products (7)

0,05(*)

1050000

 

Amphibians and Reptiles

0,05

1060000

 

Terrestrial invertebrate animals

0,05

1070000

 

Wild terrestrial vertebrate animals

0,05

1100000

 

PRODUCTS OF ANIMAL ORIGIN - FISH, FISHPRODUCTS AND ANY OTHER MARINE AND FRESHWATER FOOD PRODUCTS (8)

 

1200000

 

PRODUCTS OR PART OF PRODUCTS EXCLUSIVELY USED FOR ANIMAL FEED PRODUCTION (8)

 

1300000

 

PROCESSED FOOD PRODUCTS (9)

 

(*)

Limit of analytical determination

(a)

For the complete list of products of plant and animal origin to which MRLs apply, reference should be made to Annex I.

Chlorate (A)

(A)

To take into account the specific situation of chlorate residues, in processed food (including for the purpose of this Regulation foodstuffs that have been derived using processes listed in Article 2(1)(n) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004), that has come in contact with products containing chlorate residues, or that contains ingredients with such residues, such as processing aids or drinking water, used in compliance with the respective legal requirements, these additional contributions of chlorate residues should be taken into account when determining the permitted content of chlorate residues in or on the processed food products in accordance with Article 20 (1) of this Regulation. The burden of proof regarding the level of those additional contributions lies with the food and feed business operator.

(+)

Includes raw milk, heat-treated milk and milk for the manufacture of milk-based products as defined in Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013. The MRL applies to milk ready for use (marketed as such or reconstituted as instructed by the manufacturer)

1020010 Cattle

(+)

Includes raw milk, heat-treated milk and milk for the manufacture of milk-based products. The MRL applies to milk ready for use (marketed as such or reconstituted as instructed by the manufacturer)

1020020 Sheep

1020030 Goat

1020040 Horse’

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