Pesticide residue sampling:

Commission Directive 2002/63/EC

· Scope

The rules laid down herein are based on those of Codex Alimentarius Commission to ensure pesticide maximum residue levels are not exceeded in products.  The procedures ensure that any pesticide monitoring is conducted in a harmonised manner both within and among EU Member States.

· Sampling

In order to obtain a representative sample of the product, the size of the test sample is based upon the size of the product in question. A bulk sample for testing is composed of one to ten primary samples, which are randomly removed from a lot. This ensures that a uniform sample can be tested which represents the average amount of residue in the lot. All sampling must be carried out by an authorised officer, trained to take such samples.

The sampling procedure relies on the elimination of contamination and deterioration of any product. A number of primary samples taken from the lot are tested. The number required varies depending on the size of the lot, its homogeneity and the size of the product. The number of samples required is documented in Tables 2 and 4 of the Annex.

The laboratory sample should be submitted in a clean, sealed, inert, secure container labelled with the nature and origin of the lot. In addition, the owner, supplier or carrier and the date and place of sampling must be given. Under all circumstances, prior to analysis the product must be stored so as not to affect the analysis process or the result thereof.

If the MRL for a product destined for internal consumption, is exceeded then the produce is not permitted so be sold. This assumes that the accuracy and replication of the sampling procedure can be assured.