Pesticides

Pesticide residues can remain in food, feed and raw materials as a result of agricultural practices, post‑harvest treatments or environmental exposure, and are strictly regulated due to potential health risks and marketability requirements. Eurofins Food Testing UK Ltd, supported by the wider Eurofins laboratory network and the Eurofins competence centres for pesticide residue analysis, offers accredited, high‑sensitivity analysis for pesticide residues along with expert guidance to help you meet regulatory expectations and demonstrate due diligence.

Key services include

Analytical services

• Pesticide residue analyses using modern multi, group and single methods

• Express analyses

• Pesticide analyses under specific accreditations, such as GMP, also according to ph. / USP

• Method development and validation under GMP according to customer requirements

Consulting services

• Consulting on national and international issues (e.g. on regulations, limits) in the field of residues.

• Development of product-specific monitoring plans and consulting with regard to the scope of investigations

• Consulting on product safety

• IFS audits

Sampling at national and international level.

Selection of analysis parameters

Pesticide residue analysis in the scope of multi-analysis screenings

• E.g. organochlorine pesticides, pyrethroids, organophosphorus insecticides and other substances

Pesticide residue analysis with group methods

• Acid herbicides (phenoxyalkanecarboxylic acids)

• Polar pesticides (such as ethephon, fosetyl/phosphonic acid, chlormequat, matrin/oxymatrin, glufosinate including its metabolites)

Pesticide residue analysis with single methods

• Dithiocarbamates

• Numerous other active substances (such as ethylene oxide, bromide, glyphosate)

Certain substances on request.

Our expertise

Eurofins Food Testing UK Ltd, supported by the wider Eurofins laboratory network and the Eurofins competence centres for pesticide residues, including Eurofins Dr. Specht Express Testing & Inspection GmbH, Eurofins Dr. Specht International GmbH and Eurofins Dr. Specht Laboratorien GmbH, provides specialist services for the analysis of pesticide residues in food and feed. Their laboratories offer more than 60 years of expertise, large analytical capacity, advanced automation and regular participation in major global proficiency testing programmes, ensuring high analytical quality and reliability.

Regulatory context in the EU and GB*

• Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 – on maximum residue levels for pesticides in or on food and feed of plant and animal origin; applicable in the EU and Northern Ireland (NI) and retained in assimilated GB law with domestic amendments

• Regulation (EU) 2018/848 – on organic production and labelling of organic products; applicable in the EU and NI (only)

• GB follows retained organic production and labelling of organic products Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 and national amendments

• Codex Alimentarius – international maximum residue limits (MRLs)

• Beyond EU-wide legislation, certain European countries maintain their own national regulations or guidance on pesticide residues. Businesses exporting to these markets should ensure compliance with any applicable national requirements