Review of the existing maximum residue levels for propineb according to Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005.

Abstract

According to Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, EFSA has reviewed the maximum residue levels (MRLs) currently established at European level for the pesticide active substance propineb. Although this active substance is no longer authorised within the EU, due to insufficient information in order to conclude on the consumer risk assessment for the active substance, the toxicity of the metabolite propane‐1,2‐diamine (PDA) the impact on non‐target organisms and the risk to honeybees, MRLs based on the use of propineb were established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (codex maximum residue limits; CXLs) and are still in place. Additionally, propineb has potential endocrine‐disrupting properties related to the hazards of its major metabolite 4‐methylimidazolidine‐2‐thione (PTU). Lacking a full toxicological characterisation for the compound PDA, exposure data for metabolites propineb‐DIDT in plants and PDA in processed commodities and considering that propineb‐MRLs correlated to CXLs were based on EU uses that were withdrawn following the non‐renewal and are no longer in place, it was not possible for EFSA to perform an assessment of these MRLs and their incorporation in European legislation cannot be recommended. Nevertheless, available data allowed EFSA to propose a marker residue and a limit of quantification (LOQ) for enforcement against potential illegal uses.