Users are advised that international regulations and permissible Maximum Residue Levels (MRL) frequently change. Although this International MRL Database is updated periodically, the information in it may not be completely up-to-date or error free. This database is intended to be an initial reference source only, and users must verify any information obtained from it with knowledgeable parties in the market of interest prior to the sale or shipment of any products. The developers of this database are not liable for any damages, in whole or in part, caused by or arising in any way from user's use of the database.
I. Three rules of the International MRL Database should be noted:
- Only those chemicals that have a permanently established EPA tolerance for specialty crops are included.
- Foreign market MRLs are included only when an EPA tolerance is in place for the same commodity.
** There is one exception to Rule 2: Some foreign markets set MRLs for crop groupings rather than for individual commodities (e.g. for citrus but not oranges). In those cases, the MRL database includes the tolerances set for the crop grouping, even if EPA has not set a tolerance for the crop group. These crop group MRLs will be shown for the commodities that are members of the crop group. A pop-up note will indicate that the commodity is part of a crop group and that the MRL is set for the group and not the individual commodity.
- Sometimes US EPA sets tolerances by crop groupings rather than for individual commodities (e.g. for stone fruit but not for peaches). As with foreign markets, these crop group MRLs will be shown for the commodities that are members of the crop group. A pop-up note will indicate that the commodity is part of a crop group and that the MRL is set for the group and not the individual commodity.
II. Information about types of MRLs not listed in database.
The MRL Database exclusively reflects maximum residue levels (MRL) that have been established on a permanent basis under domestic US legislation according to the US Code of Federal Regulation (CFR).
The following types of MRLs are
not included in the database:
- Tolerances with regional registrations
- Time-limited and temporary tolerances
- US Section 18 tolerances
- US import tolerances
- Tolerances for indirect residues
- Tolerances lacking current US registration
For further clarification, please consult the US Code of Federal Regulations -
Title 40, Part 180 for pesticide tolerances and
Title 21, Part 556 for veterinary drug tolerances.