MRL & compliance resources

Maximum Residue Limits and buyer requirements vary between markets and commodities. Find the official sources for your destination market, and the testing support you may need.

What is a maximum residue limit?

A Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) is the highest legally permitted level of a pesticide residue in or on a food or agricultural commodity under the rules of a particular market. An MRL is not a universal limit. Requirements may differ according to the destination market, commodity, active substance, applicable legislation, buyer or retailer specification, and changes to regulatory requirements.

Why it matters

A residue result may affect export-market compliance, customer acceptance, supplier or grower investigations, product-release decisions, corrective action and future spray and risk-management programmes. Laboratory results must therefore be considered against the correct commodity, market and customer requirement.

Find the requirements relevant to your market

Access key regulatory resources for major export markets and relevant industry bodies. Regulatory limits change, so we link directly to the official sources.

European Union

Access current EU pesticide residue and MRL information.

United Kingdom

Find relevant UK residue and compliance information.

Codex

Access international food standards and residue resources.

Industry & Sector Resources

Relevant South African sector bodies and farm-assurance programmes.

A destination market alone does not determine the full test requirement

Appropriate screen selection may depend on:

Commodity or product
Destination market
Crop-protection products used
Buyer or retailer specification
Compounds historically associated with the commodity
Emerging regulatory or customer concerns
Whether broad screening or focused confirmation is required

Good testing starts with an appropriate sample

An analytical result relates to the sample received by the laboratory. Before submission:

Confirm the product or commodity
Identify the lot, batch, farm, orchard or supplier
Use clean and suitable packaging
Prevent contamination or deterioration
Label the sample clearly
Include the sample submission form
Advise HKAL of unusual handling or urgency requirements

Regulatory disclaimer: Regulatory limits, approved uses, buyer requirements and external resources may change. Information on this website is provided as general guidance and does not replace confirmation of current legal, destination-market or customer requirements. Clients remain responsible for verifying the requirements applicable to their product and market.

Tell us what you need to test

Send us your commodity or product, destination market, target analyte, and required timing. Our team will help confirm an appropriate testing route based on HKAL’s available methods and scope.