The national food safety standard for maximum residue limits of pesticides in 2026 will officially come into effect on March 1st

The 2026 edition of the National Food Safety Standard for Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) of Pesticides will officially come into effect on March 1st.

In accordance with the Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China, and upon review and approval by the National Food Safety Standard Review Committee, the National Health Commission, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the State Administration for Market Regulation have jointly issued seven national food safety standards, including the "National Food Safety Standard - Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides in Food" (GB 2763-2026, replacing GB 2763-2021 and GB 2763.1-2022). The codes and names of the standards are as follows:

• GB 2763-2026 National Food Safety Standard - Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides in Food
• GB 23200.113-2026 National Food Safety Standard - Determination of 242 Pesticides (Actually 265 Isomers) and Their Metabolite Residues in Plant-derived Foods by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
• GB 23200.121-2026 National Food Safety Standard - Determination of 352 Pesticides (Actually 398 Isomers) and Their Metabolite Residues in Plant-derived Foods by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
• GB 23200.122-2026 National Food Safety Standard - Determination of Glyphosate and 3 Other Pesticides and Their Metabolite Residues in Plant-derived Foods by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
• GB 23200.123-2026 National Food Safety Standard - Determination of Sulfuryl Fluoride Residues in Plant-derived Foods by Gas Chromatography
• GB 23200.124-2026 National Food Safety Standard - Determination of Thiodiazole-copper, Thiazole-zinc, Thiosemicarbazone-copper and Their Metabolite Residues in Plant-derived Foods by Liquid Chromatography
• GB 23200.125-2026 National Food Safety Standard - Determination of Kasugamycin, Validamycin, Ningnanmycin, and Polyoxin Residues in Plant-derived Foods by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

The above standards will officially take effect on March 1, 2026.

GB 2763—2026 integrates the "National Food Safety Standard - Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides in Food" (GB 2763—2021) and the "National Food Safety Standard - Maximum Residue Limits for 112 Pesticides including 2,4-D Butyrate Sodium Salt in Food" (GB 2763.1—2022). It newly establishes 370 residue limits and revises 23 existing ones. The new edition specifies a total of 10,749 MRLs for 585 pesticides, including 2,4-DB, in food. Upon implementation, it will provide stronger support for guiding scientific pesticide use in agricultural production, enhancing the safety assurance level of China's agricultural products and food, and facilitating international trade.

GB 2763—2026 comprehensively covers pesticide varieties approved for use in China and major plant-derived agricultural products, ensuring that production has standards to follow, products have standards for inspection, and enforcement has standards for judgment. It has three main characteristics: Firstly, newly added limits are scientifically data-driven and formulated through extensive consultation with stakeholders from production, research, consumption, management, and the public. Secondly, it emphasizes the quality and safety supervision needs of key agricultural products like vegetables and fruits; related MRLs for vegetables and fruits constitute 56.6% of the total, providing a basis for strengthened supervision and enforcement. Thirdly, it emphasizes the coordination between residue limits and detection methods, adding 14 supporting detection method standards with broader coverage, wider pesticide scope, and higher sensitivity, thereby enhancing the scientific nature, applicability, and enforceability of the standards.

GB 23200.113 has revised the method quantification limits (LOQs) for 8 pesticides including carbofuran. GB 23200.121 has revised the LOQs for 10 pesticides and metabolites including acetamiprid. It is anticipated that laboratories will need to re-validate their methods for these changes. We can provide two specific custom mixes to facilitate this validation process: a mix of 8 pesticide residues in acetone and a mix of 10 pesticide residues in acetonitrile.

Furthermore, the CAS numbers for several analytes in older standards have changed (e.g., phorate sulfoxide, S-metolachlor, phosalone, cyfluthrin). The reasons for these CAS number changes vary. For instance, the current CAS for phorate sulfoxide is 2588-03-6, and "lambda-cyhalothrin" now uses the CAS number for "cyhalothrin" (68085-85-8). These CAS number changes do not fundamentally affect the analytes themselves, but it is crucial to pay attention to the CAS numbers when selecting reference standards. Additionally, the names of a few reference standards have been updated (e.g., oxadixyl, thifluzamide).

Our food pesticide residue testing mixes are currently available in stock (first come, first served; custom mixes may require 1-2 days). Individual pesticide standards are all in stock. Moreover, we supply over 200 pesticide residues as accredited Certified Reference Materials (CRMs), ensuring traceability. Please consult us; we will professionally assist you in selecting the appropriate mix solutions.