Division Test conditions

Processing studies shall represent domestic preparations (for example cooked vegetables) or commercial industrial processes (for example production of apple juice). Processing studies shall be carried out at least on a representative crop of a crop group, where use is envisaged. The choice of the crop and of the process shall be justified and explained.

The technology used in processing studies shall correspond as closely as possible to the actual conditions that are normally used. For each crop to be investigated two studies per process shall be carried out to determine concentration and dilution factors in processed commodities. If more than one processing method is in use, the one which is expected to give the highest residues in the processed product for human consumption shall be chosen. The results shall be extrapolated to all crops within a crop group undergoing the same process.

When the results (processing factor) of the two studies differ in the main processed products by more than 50 %, further studies shall be provided to derive a consistent processing factor.

Additional studies shall be carried out if, when using processing factors derived by extrapolation, the estimate of the dietary intake exceeds the ADI or ARfD. Those studies shall be carried out on major processes and commodities which contribute most to the ADI/ARfD exceedance.