Proposals to Amend (No. 2) the 
New Zealand (Maximum Residue 
Limits of Agricultural Compounds) 
Food Standards 2011   
 
MAF Discussion Paper No: 2012/5 
 
Biosecurity and Food Policy 
 
 
 
ISBN 978-0-478- 38816-9 (online) 
ISSN 2230-2816 (online)  
 
 
March 2012  
 
 
Disclaimer 
 
Every effort has been made to ensure the information in this document is accurate. 
 MAF does not accept any responsibility or liability whatsoever for any error of fact, omission, interpretation or opinion that may be present, however it may have occurred. 
Requests for further copies should be directed to:  MRL Amendments Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Food Policy PO Box 2835 WELLINGTON  Telephone: 0800 00 83 33 Facsimile: 04-894 0300  This publication is also ava ilable on the MAF website at  
http://www.maf.govt.nz/news-resources/publications.aspx  
© Crown Copyright, March 2012 - Mini stry of Agriculture and Forestry   
Contents Page 
 
Submissions 1 
1. INTRODUCTION 2  
1.1. Background 2 1.2. Summary of Proposed Amendment 3 1.3. Next steps 3 
2. PROPOSALS 4  
2.1. Proposal to set an MRL for Etoxazole 4 
2.2. Proposal to set an MRL for Fenbuconazole 5 2.3. Proposal to set an MRL for Proquinazid 6 2.4 Proposal to amend the MRLs For Azinphos-Methyl 8 2.5 Proposal to delete the MRLs from the MRL Standards 2011 9 
2.6 Proposal to extend the exemption of Didecy l Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride from an 
MRL 10 
 
i  
Submissions 
 
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (M AF) – that now incorporates the New Zealand 
Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) - invites public  comment on this discussion document which 
outlines proposals to amend the  New Zealand (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural 
Compounds) Food Standards 2011 . 
 The following points may be of a ssistance in preparing comments: 
 Wherever possible, comment should be sp ecific to a particular section in the 
document. All major sections are numbered and these numbers should be used to link 
comments to the document. 
 Where possible, reasons and data to support comments are requested. 
 The use of examples to illustrate particular points is encouraged. 
 As a number of copies may be made of  your comments, please use good quality type, 
or make sure the comments are clearl y hand-written in bl ack or blue ink. 
 Please include the following info rmation in your submission: 
 The title of the discussion document; 
 Your name and title  (if applicable); 
 Your organisation’s name (if applicable); and 
 Your address. 
 Please submit your response by 5:00pm on Monday 18 June 2012. Your comments should be sent to: 
 
MRL Amendments MAF Food Policy PO Box 2835 Wellington  Email: maffoodpolicy@maf.govt.nz
 
Fax: (04) 894 2583  
The Official Information Act 
 
The Official Information Act 1982 (the OIA) states  that information is to be made available 
unless there are grounds for withholding it. The grounds for withholding information are 
outlined in the OIA. Submitters may wish to indicate any grounds for withholding information contained in their submission. Reas ons for withholding information could include 
that information is commercially sensitive or that the submitters wish personal information such as names or contact details to be withhe ld. MAF will take such indications into account 
when determining whether or not to release information. Any decision to withhold information requested under the OIA may be reviewed by the Ombudsman. 
 
 Proposals to Amend (No. 1) the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards 2011  1  Proposals to Amend (No. 1) the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards 2011  2 1. INTRODUCTION 
Maximum residue limits (MRLs) are the maximu m legal limits for residues of agricultural 
compounds and veterinary medicines in food for sale in New Zealand. MRLs are primarily a 
tool for monitoring the use of agricultural compounds in accordance with good agricultural 
practice (GAP). GAP is not explicitly define d or regulated, but is the generally accepted 
means for producing safe primary produce in a particular location while taking account of 
climate, pests or diseases and other environmental factors. MRLs are used to minimise risks 
to public health by ensuring that chemical residues in food are as low as practicable, without 
compromising the ability of the chemical to successfully do what is intended.  
1.1. BACKGROUND 
MRLs are set out in the New Zealand (Maximum  Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) 
Food Standards (the MRL Standards). The MRL Standards are amended a number of times 
each year to reflect changes in the use of agricultural compounds in the production of food. 
The MRL Standards 2011 are on th e MAF Foodsafety website at: http://www.foodsafety.  
govt.nz/elibrary/industry/NZ-MRL-of-Agric ultural-Compounds-Food-Standards-2011.pdf  
 MAF administers the MRL Standards, but the final decision on any changes to the MRL 
Standards rests with the Minist er for Food Safety. Under section 11E and 11L of the Food Act 
1981, when amending or issuing the MRL Standards,  the Minister must take into account the 
following: 
 The need to protect public health; 
 The desirability of avoiding unnecessary restrictions on trade; 
 The desirability of maintaining consiste ncy between New Zealand's food standards 
and those applying internationally; 
 New Zealand's obligations under any rele vant international treaty, agreement, 
convention, or protocol, and, in particular, under the Au stralia-New Zealand Joint 
Food Standards Agreement; and 
 Such other matters as the Mi nister considers appropriate. 
 Possible implications for public health are considered during the toxicological and dietary risk 
assessments, by comparing the estimated dietar y intake with a Pote ntial Daily Exposure 
(food) (PDE
food) or where there is no PDE food, by comparing it with the Acceptable Daily 
Intake (ADI). PDE food and ADI are described below.  
 A PDE
food or Potential Daily Exposure (food), is a value determined by a toxicological 
evaluation by Environmental Protection Authority  (EPA) as part of it s responsibilities under 
the Hazardous Substances and New Organism s Act 1996 (the HSNO Act), which has some 
responsibility for ma naging public health.1 A PDE food gives the potential daily exposure a 
person may be subject to from a s ubstance, via food. MAF uses a PDE food, rather than the 
internationally-determined ADI, where a PDE food is available, due to the HSNO Act in New 
Zealand. The ADI and PDE food are largely equivalent, as they  are determined using the same 
set of toxicology data and in a ve ry similar scientific process. 
 An ADI or Acceptable Daily Intake is define d by the World Health Organization (WHO) as: 
“the daily intake which, during an entire lifetime, a ppears to be without appreciable risk on 
the basis of all the known facts at the time”. “Without appreciable risk” has been further 
defined as: “the practical certainty that inju ry will not result even after a lifetime of 
                                                
 
1The purpose of the HSNO Act 1996 is “to protect the environm ent, and the health and safety of people and communities, by 
preventing or managing the adverse effects of  hazardous substances and new organisms”.    
exposure”. ADIs are established by the WHO an d Food and Agriculture Organization of the 
United Nations (FAO) joint expert committees, made up of toxicologists and residue 
specialists. The ADI information from these joint committees also feeds into the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission (Codex), which sets international MRLs. 
1.2. SUMMARY OF PROPOSED AMENDMENT 
The proposed MRLs have been thoroughly assessed in accordance with international methodologies such as those utilised by the expert committees advising the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission (Codex). Information on the technical assessment of each proposal is included in this document (refer s ection 2) and covers the following:  
 Rationale; 
 Chemical information; 
 Good agricultural practice (GAP); 
 Residues information; 
 Dietary risk assessment; 
 Toxicological / public health assessment; and 
 International MRLs. 
 MAF reviewed the estimated dietary exposur e assessments for the application of the 
proposals in this discussion pape r and has determined that the residues associated with the 
proposed MRLs do not present any pub lic health and safety concerns. 
 New MRLs 
MAF proposes to add the following new MRLs to the MRL Standards:  
 0.1mg/kg for etoxazole when used as a miticide on avocados; 
 0.02 mg/kg for fenbuconazole when used as a fungicide on pome fruit; 
 0.02mg/kg for proquinazid when used as a fungicide on grapes, 0.1mg/kg when used 
on apples or cucurbits (edible peel), a nd 0.01mg/kg when used on cucurbits (inedible 
peel). 
  
MRL  Exemptions 
MAF proposes to exempt the following substance from the MRL Standards: 
 Didecyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride wh en used as a fungicide on fruits and 
vegetables;  
  
Other MRL  Amendments 
 MAF proposes to make these amendments to the following MRLs from the MRL 
Standards: 
 Delete the MRL for azinphos-methyl on kiwifru it and change food type; fruits (except 
kiwifruit) to stonefr uits and strawberry; 
 Delete the MRL entries for baquilopr im, clopidol, 3,5-dinitro-o-toluamide, 
dichlofluanid, bioallethrin, bioresmethrin and fenbutatin oxide. 
1.3. NEXT STEPS 
Following the closing date for submissions 5:00pm on Friday 1 July 2011 , all submissions 
will be considered and analysed before a recommendation is made to the Minister for Food 
Safety, who makes the final decision on issui ng any amendments to the MRL Standards.  
 If an amendment is agreed upon, it will be signed by the Minister for Food Safety and will 
come into force 28 days after being published in the New Zealand Gazette.  
 Proposals to Amend (No. 1) the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards 2011  3 2. PROPOSALS 
2.1. PROPOSAL TO SET AN MRL FOR ETOXAZOLE 
It is proposed that an MRL is set for etoxazole  when used on avocados . It is proposed that 
Schedule One of the MRL Standards be amended to include the following, and that this will 
be the resulting entry for etoxazole in  Schedule One of the MRL Standards: 
Compound CAS# Residue definition Food Maximum Residue 
Limit (mg/kg) 
Etoxazole 153233-91-1 Etoxazole Avocados 0.1 
 
Amendment Rationale 
The proposed MRL represents a new registrati on in New Zealand for the active ingredient 
etoxazole. The proposed MRL will manage the use of etoxazole as a miticide in avocados, to 
the application rates and wit hholding periods that are propos ed as GAP in New Zealand. 
 
Chemical Information 
Common name of compound Etoxazole 
Use of compound Miticide 
Chemical Abstract Services (CAS) Registry number 153233-91-1 
Type of compound Diphenyl oxazoline 
Administration method Spray 
 
Good Agricultural Practice (GAP)  
Etoxazole is proposed for use as a miticide in  avocados. Application is at a rate of 3.85 
gai/100L etoxazole in 750 - 3000L water/ha (29–115.5gai/ha), made at first sign of mite 
crawlers.  
 
Residues Information  
The residue data for avocados  supports a MRL of 0.1mg/kg fo r etoxazole when the last 
treatment is 14 days prior to  harvest. An MRL of 0.1mg/kg is proposed to support GAP.  
 
Dietary  Risk Assessment 
Potential Daily Exposure 0.105 mg/kg bw/day 
 
The potential daily exposure via food (PDE food) is used for dietary in take calculation where a 
value has been set.  
 The chronic dietary exposure to etoxazole is  estimated by the National Estimated Dietary 
Intake (NEDI) calculation encompassing all registered uses of the chemical and food consumption data based upon the 1997 National Nutritional Survey for adults and the 1995 
National Nutrition Survey of Australia, fo r children. The NEDI calculation is made in 
accordance with Guidelines for predicting dietary intake of pesticide residues (revised) 
[World Health Organization, 1997].  The NEDI for etoxazole is equivalent to less th an 0.05% of the ADI. It is therefore concluded 
that the chronic dietary exposure is small and the risk is acceptable. 
 
Toxicological/Public Health Assessment   
It has been determined that the use of etoxazole as a miticide in avocados according to GAP 
(specified above), is very unlikely to pose a ny health risks from c onsumption of treated 
produce.  
 
 Proposals to Amend (No. 1) the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards 2011  4  
Other International MRLs 
Compound Food Maximum Residue Limit (mg/kg) 
European Commission   
Etoxazole Avocados 0.02* 
 
Under clause 6(3)(b) of the MRL Standa rds imported food may contain residues of 
agricultural compounds no greater than the MRLs specified for that food in the current 
editions or supplements of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission publications Pesticide Residues in Food or Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods.  To meet New Zealand’s obligations under the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures the proposed MRL will be notified to the World Trade Organization. 
Any country may choose to comment if they believe the proposed MRL represents a barrier to their trade. 
2.2. PROPOSAL TO SET AN MRL FOR FENBUCONAZOLE 
It is proposed that an MRL is set for fenbucon azole when used on pome fruits. It is proposed 
that Schedule One of the MRL Standards be am ended to include the following, and that this 
will be the resulting entry for fenbuconazole  in Schedule One of the MRL Standards: 
 
Compound CAS# Residue definition Food Maximum Residue Limit 
(mg/kg) 
Fenbuconazole 114369-43-6 Fenbuconazole Pome fruits 0.02 
 
Amendment Rationale 
The proposed MRL represents a new registrati on in New Zealand for the active ingredient 
fenbuconazole. The proposed MRL will manage the use of fenbuconazole as a fungicide to 
control black spot and powdery mildew for pome fruits, to the application rates and 
withholding periods that are pr oposed as GAP in New Zealand. 
 
Chemical Information  
Common name of compound Fenbuconazole 
Use of compound Fungicide 
Chemical Abstract Services (CAS) Registry number 114369-43-6 
Type of compound Fungicide 
Administration method Spray 
 
Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) 
Fenbuconazole is proposed for use as a fungicide in pome fruits. Application is at a rate of 
2.125 gai/100L fenbuconazole in 2000L water/ha  (42.5 gai/ha) at 7 – 10 day intervals 
commencing at pink and continuing until 30 November. 
 
Residues Information  
The residue data for pome fruits supports a MRL of 0.02mg/kg for fenbuconazole when the 
last treatment is 10 weeks prior to harvest or after 30 November, which ever occurs first. An MRL of 0.02 mg/kg is proposed to support GAP.  
 
Dietary Risk Assessment 
Acceptable Daily Intake 0.006 mg/kg bw/day 
 
 Proposals to Amend (No. 1) the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards 2011  5 The potential daily exposure via food (PDE food) is used for dietary in take calculation where a 
value has been set. An appropriate acceptable da ily intake (ADI) is used in the absence of a 
PDE food. 
 
The chronic dietary exposure to fenbuconazole is estimated by the National Estimated Dietary 
Intake (NEDI) calculation encompassing all registered uses of the chemical and food consumption data based upon the 1997 National Nutritional Survey for adults and the 1995 
National Nutrition Survey of Australia, fo r children. The NEDI calculation is made in 
accordance with Guidelines for predicting dietary intake of pesticide residues (revised) 
[World Health Organization, 1997].  The NEDI for fenbuconazole is equivalent to less than 1% of the ADI. It is therefore 
concluded that the chronic dietary exposure is small a nd the risk is acceptable. 
 
Toxicological / Public Health Assessment  
It has been determined that the use of fenbuconazole as a fungicide for pome fruits according to the GAP specified above, is very unlikely to pose any health risks from consumption of treated produce.  
 
Other International MRLs 
Compound Food Maximum Residue Limit (mg/kg) 
Codex Alimentarius   
Fenbuconazole Pome fruits 0.1 
European Commission    
Fenbuconazole Apple 0.4 
 Pear 0.2 
Japan   
Fenbuconazole Apple 1 
 Pear 0.7 
 Under clause 6(3)(b) of the MRL Standa rds imported food may contain residues of 
agricultural compounds no greater than the MRLs specified for that food in the current 
editions or supplements of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission publications Pesticide Residues in Food or Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods.   To meet New Zealand’s obligations under the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures the proposed MRL will be notified to the World Trade Organization. 
Any country may choose to comment if they believe the proposed MRL represents a barrier to their trade. 
2.3. PROPOSAL TO SET AN MRL FOR PROQUINAZID 
It is proposed that an MRL is set for proquinazid when used as a fungicide for grapes, apples 
and cucurbits. It is proposed that Schedule On e of the MRL Standards be amended to include 
the following and that this will be the resulti ng entry for proquinazid in Schedule One of the 
MRL Standards 
Compound CAS# Residue definition Food Maximum Residue Limit (mg/kg) 
Proquinazid 189278-12-4 Proquinazid Grapes Apples 
Cucurbits(inedible peel) Cucurbits(edible 
peel) 
 0.02 
0.1 
0.01  0.1 
 Proposals to Amend (No. 1) the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards 2011  6  
 
Amendment Rationale 
The proposed MRLs represent a new registration in New Zealand for the active ingredient  
proquinazid. The proposed MRL will manage the us e of proquinazid as a fungicide to control 
powdery mildew in grapes, appl es and cucurbits, to the ap plication rates and withholding 
periods that are proposed as GAP in New Zealand. 
 
Chemical Information 
Common name of compound  Proquinazid 
Use of compound  Fungicide 
Chemical Abstract Services (CAS) Registry number  189278-12-4 
Type of compound  Quinazolinone 
Administration method  Spray 
 
Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) 
Proquinazid is proposed for use as  a fungicide for grapes, apples  and cucurbits. Application is 
at a rate of: 
 Grapes - 25 ml/100litres minimum of 200m l/ha over flowering to 250ml/ha at bunch 
closure {40 - 50 gai/ha} 
 Apples - 25 ml/100litres minimum 50 0ml/ha {2000 litres water/ha}{100 gai/ha} 
 Cucurbits - 250 ml/ha {50 gai/ha} 
 
Residues Information  
Residue data for grapes, apples  cucurbits (inedible peel) and cucurbits (edible peel) support 
MRLs of 0.02 mg/kg, 0.1 mg/ kg, 0.01 mg/kg and 0.1 mg/kg cons equently for proquinazid 
when the last treatment is: 
 Grapes – At least 56 days prior to harvest. 
 Apples – 56 days prior to harvest. 
 Squash, pumpkins, marrow, melons – 14 days prior to harvest. 
 Zucchini – 1 day prior to harvest. 
 
The MRLs of 0.02 mg/kg, 0.1 mg/kg, 0.01 mg/kg and 0.1 mg/kg are therefore proposed to 
support GAP for grapes, apples cucurbits (i nedible peel) and cucurbits (edible peel) 
consequently.  
 
Dietary Risk Assessment 
Potential Daily Exposure  0.25 mg/kg bw/day 
 
The potential daily exposure via food (PDE food) is used for dietary in take calculation where a 
value has been set.   The PDE
food is a value set by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), which represents 
the proportion of the acceptable daily exposure (ADE) to a substance via the food route as relevant to the New Zealand population. The me thodology for calculation of these values is 
set out in the Hazardous Substances (classes 6, 8, and 9 controls) Regulations 2001 and can be 
found at www.legislation.govt.nz
. 
 The chronic dietary exposure to  proquinazid is estimated by the National Estimated Dietary 
Intake (NEDI) calculation encompassing all registered uses of the chemical and food consumption data based upon the 1997 National Nutritional Survey for adults and the 1995 
National Nutrition Survey of Australia, fo r children. The NEDI calculation is made in 
 Proposals to Amend (No. 1) the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards 2011  7 accordance with Guidelines for predicting dietary intake of pesticide residues (revised) 
[World Health Organization, 1997]. 
 The NEDI for proquinazid is equivale nt to less than 0.05% of the PDE
food. It is therefore 
concluded that the chronic dietary exposure is small a nd the risk is acceptable. 
 
Toxicological/Public Health Assessment   
It has been determined that the use of proqui nazid as a fungicide fo r grapes, apples and 
cucurbits, according to the GAP specified above, is very unlikely to pose any health risks 
from consumption of treated produce.  
 
Other International MRLs 
Compound Food Maximum Residue Limit (mg/kg) 
European Commission   
Proquinazid Grapes 0.5 
 Apples 0.02 
 Under Clause 6(3)(b) of the NZ (MRL) F ood Standards 2011 imported food may contain 
residues of agricultural compounds  no greater than the MRLs specified for that food in the 
current editions or supplements of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission publications Pesticide Residues in Food  or Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods . 
 To meet New Zealand’s obligations under the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures the proposed MRL will be notified to the World Trade Organization. 
Any country may choose to comment if they believe the proposed MRL represents a barrier to their trade.  
2.4 PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE MRLS FOR AZINPHOS-METHYL  
It is proposed that the MRL on kiwi fruit is de leted and that the food type is changed from 
fruit (except kiwifruit) to stonefruit and stra wberries. The current entry for azinphos-methyl in 
Schedule One of the NZ (MRL) Food Standards 2011 is: 
Compound CAS# Residue definition Food Maximum Residue Limit 
(mg/kg) 
Azinphos-methyl 85-50-0 Azinphos-methyl Fruits(except kiwifruit) Kiwifruit Potatoes 2 4 0.05(*) 
NOTE: (*) indicates that the maximum residue limit has been set at or about the limit of 
analytical quantification.  The final entry for azinphos-methyl in Sche dule One of the NZ (MRL) Food Standards 2011 
will therefore read: 
Compound CAS# Residue definition Food Maximum Residue Limit 
(mg/kg) 
Azinphos-methyl 85-50-0 Azinphos-methyl Stonefruit Strawberries Potatoes 2 2 0.05(*) 
NOTE: (*) indicates that the maximum residue limit has been set at or about the limit of 
analytical quantification. 
 Amendment Rationale 
The proposed amendment is based on the EPA reassessment of azinphos-methyl and formulations containing azinphos-m ethyl. The EPA’s decision includes the continue use of 
 Proposals to Amend (No. 1) the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards 2011  8  
the registered product; Cotnion 200 Insecticid e (P7492) until the expiry of 31 December 2014 
only on potato crops, summerfruit crops and stra wberry runner plants. All other uses 
(including use on kiwi fruit) are deleted. 
 
International MRLs 
Under clause 6(3)(b) of the MRL Standa rds imported food may contain residues of 
agricultural compounds no greater than the MRLs specified for that food in the current 
editions or supplements of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission publications Pesticide Residues in Food or Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods. Codex has set a number of MRLs for the use of  azinphos-methyl. It is anticipa ted that the Codex MRLs for 
azinphos-methyl will be sufficien t to regulate imports of any commodity containing azinphos-
methyl residues. However, if there is no re levant MRL set under the MRL Food Standards or 
set and published by Codex, all imported and dom estically produced food must comply with 
the default MRL of 0.1mg/kg (re fer MRL Standards clause 6). 
 To meet New Zealand’s obligations under the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures the proposed MRL will be notified to the World Trade Organization. 
Any country may choose to comment if th ey believe the proposed MRL amendments 
represents a barrier to their trade.  
2.5 PROPOSAL TO DELETE THE MR LS FROM THE MRL STANDARDS 2011 
It is proposed that the followi ng entries are deleted from the Schedule 1 of the MRL Standard 
2011. 
Compound CAS# Residue to which the 
maximum residue limit applies Food MRL (mg/kg) 
Baquiloprim 102280-35-3 Baquiloprim Cattle fat Cattle kidney Cattle liver 
Cattle milk 0.15 
0.01 0.3 
0.03 
Clopidol 2971-90-6 Clopidol Edible offal of poultry 
Poultry meat 5 2 
3, 5-Dinitro-o-toluamide 148-01-6 3,5-dinitro benzoic acid Poultry meat 3 
Dichlofluanid 1085-98-9 Dichlofluanid Berries and other small fruits Vegetables 10 5 
Bioallethrin 584-79-2 Bioallethrin, sum of isomers Vegetables 2 
Bioresmethrin 28434-01-7 Bioresmethrin Vegetables 3 
Fenbutatin 
oxide 13356-08-6 Fenbutatin oxide Pome fruits Stone fruits 1 1 
 
Amendment Rationale 
There have been no products containing the ab ove agricultural compounds and/or veterinary 
medicines registered in New Zealand under th e ACVM Act 1997 over the last five years. 
 International MRLs 
Under clause 6(3)(b) of the MRL Standa rds imported food may contain residues of 
agricultural compounds no greater than the MRLs specified for that food in the current 
editions or supplements of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission publications Pesticide Residues in Food or Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods. Codex has set a number of MRLs for the use of some of the above agricultural compounds and/or veterinary 
medicines. It is anticipated that the Codex MR Ls for some of these agricultural compounds 
 Proposals to Amend (No. 1) the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards 2011  9 and/or veterinary medicines will be sufficient to regulate imports of any commodity 
containing the above agricultural compounds and/ or veterinary medicines residues. However, 
if there is no relevant MRL set under the MRL Food Standards or set and published by 
Codex, all imported and domestically produced food must comply with the default MRL of 
0.1mg/kg (refer MRL Standards clause 6).  To meet New Zealand’s obligations under the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures the proposed MRL will be notified to the World Trade Organization. 
Any country may choose to comment if they be lieve the proposed MRL deletion represents a 
barrier to their trade.  
2.6 PROPOSAL TO EXTEND THE EXEMPTIO N OF DIDECYL DIMETHYL AMMONIUM 
CHLORIDE FROM AN MRL 
It is proposed that the current MRL exemp tion of DDAC when app lied as fungicide on 
pipfruits to be extended so that it covers use on fruits and vegetables. 
 It is proposed that Schedule Two of the MRL Standards be amended to include the following; 
and that this will be the resulting entry for DDAC in Schedule Two of the MRL Standards: 
Compound CAS# Condition 
Didecyl Dimethyl 
Ammonium Chloride 7173-51-5 When applied as a fungicide on fruits and vegetables 
 
Amendment Rationale 
The proposed MRL exemption represents a new us e pattern for DDAC. The complexity of the 
compound i.e. it is a mixture of alkyl-quaternar y ammonium salts with typical alkyl chain 
lengths of C8, C10 and C12, mean s it is not suitable to be managed against a concentration 
limit. Therefore it can be exempted from the requirement of an MRL. 
Chemical Information 
Common name of compound Didecyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride 
Use of compound Sanitiser 
Chemical Abstract Services (CAS) Registry number 7173-51-5 
Type of compound Quaternary ammonium 
Administration method Spray 
 
Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) 
DDAC is proposed for use as a fungicide treatm ent for pears, avocados, citrus, cucurbits, 
grapes, (seed) potatoes and tomatoes. Management of GAP through the establishment of 
MRLs has been deemed unsuitable given that there are too many other variables to allow a 
good judgment to be made as to whether an MRL breach would represent misuse, including its presence in exempt agricultural chemicals and in surface sanitizers. 
 
Dietary Risk Assessment 
No acceptable daily intake has been set for DDAC. However, it is used safely in many cleaning products for residential premise, public access premise and medical premise. Trace amounts of DDAC may be consumed with no inci dent through accidental contamination of 
food and water with surface cleaner s. No dietary risk is exp ected through the use of DDAC on 
pears, avocados, citrus, cucurbits, grapes, (seed) potatoes and tomatoes. 
 
Toxicological/Public Health Assessment   
Apart from its corrosive property, DDAC does not trigger any of the chronic toxicity 
endpoints. Therefore, the exemption of DDAC from an MRL to the conditions specified 
 Proposals to Amend (No. 1) the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards 2011  10  
 Proposals to Amend (No. 1) the New Zealand (Maximum Residue Limits of Agricultural Compounds) Food Standards 2011  11 above is very unlikely to pose any health risks from consumption of the harvested 
commodity.