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日本語What an MRL is
An MRL is the highest level of a pesticide residue legally allowed in or on a food. Limits differ between the EU, Japan, China and other markets, and a substance legal at origin may be restricted or have no authorised limit at destination.
Where problems arise
Typical issues are products applied too close to harvest, substances not authorised for the crop in the destination market, and mixed lots without records. Japan's default limit for substances without a set value is very low, and the EU actively monitors imports.
What good suppliers provide
Look for spray records, an approved input list aligned with destination rules, farm-level traceability and pre-harvest intervals followed. Ask the supplier how they train and audit producers.
Laboratory testing
Test representative samples in an accredited laboratory using a multi-residue method suited to your market's rules. Keep the certificate of analysis with the shipping file and agree in the contract what happens if a test exceeds the limit.
Build testing into the plan
Include test time and cost in your timeline. For regular programmes, risk-based sampling and periodic checks are a sensible compromise. Read the market guides for the EU and Japan.
Buyer checklist
- Destination MRLs identified for the target crop
- Supplier spray records and input list reviewed
- Pre-harvest intervals documented
- Accredited lab and method chosen
- Certificate of analysis in the shipping file
- Contract clause for out-of-limit results
