Division I.2.2

Substances may be regarded as candidates for a ‘No MRL required’ status, if they fulfil one or more of the criteria stated below. It shall be noted, however, that fulfilment of one or more of these criteria shall not be regarded as automatically implying that a ‘No MRL required’ status shall be recommended. The following specificities of each individual substance shall be fully evaluated before reaching a conclusion:

1. (a)

   substances of endogenous origin, particularly if exposure to residues has only a minor impact on the overall exposure to the substance;

2. (b)

   substances which are essential nutrients or normal constituents of the diet in man and animals;

3. (c)

   substances for which no pharmacological activity considered to be biologically relevant has been identified;

4. (d)

   substances that have been demonstrated to be of low toxicity following exposure by the oral route;

5. (e)

   substances that are not absorbed or are poorly absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract or from the sites of local application (e.g. skin or eyes);

6. (f)

   substances that are rapidly and extensively detoxified or excreted;

7. (g)

   substances that have been demonstrated not to result in detectable residues in food derived from treated animals.