EU legislation: Active substances used in pesticides

If you want to export food products to the EU, you have to make sure that your products meet all requirements regarding pesticides. In order to protect the safety of food derived from plants and to secure the health and quality status of crops, the EU has set requirements on the use of active substances in pesticides, prohibited pesticides and maximum residue levels of pesticides (MRLs) in/on food products.

This document provides information on the EU legislation on the use or prohibition of certain active substances used in pesticides and the possible consequences of this legislation for exporters from outside the EU.

Please note that although this legislation is not directly applicable for producers outside Europe, it is indirectly relevant to exporters of food products, because EU governments and buyers will do everything possible to avoid products treated with prohibited substances.

For more information on maximum residue levels of pesticides, which is directly applicable on food products exported to the EU, refer to the document EU legislation: Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) of pesticides in food