From EFSA to Enforcement: Managing the Growing Complexity of EU MRLs
September 22 , 10:00 am – 11:00 am
From EFSA to Enforcement: Managing the Growing Complexity of EU MRLs
The European Union remains one of the world’s most complex and closely monitored regulatory markets for pesticide residues. Frequent regulatory updates, evolving Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs), extensive testing programs, and increasing scrutiny from regulators create significant compliance challenges for companies involved in agricultural production, food manufacturing, and international trade.
Hosted by Food Safety Magazine, this webinar will provide a practical overview of the EU MRL-setting process, explain recent regulatory developments that are increasing compliance complexity, and demonstrate how organizations can leverage regulatory intelligence technology to stay informed and reduce risk.
Attendees will gain insight into how MRLs are established and implemented within the EU, understand emerging challenges related to Member State-level residue standards, and learn how our MRL database helps organizations monitor regulatory changes, identify market risks, and support decision-making and compliance.
Register NowSpeakers
Madison Jackson
Senior Manager of Regulatory Limits, FoodChain ID
Madison leads a portfolio of regulatory compliance solutions, including the industry-leading Pesticide MRL Database. With extensive expertise in global pesticide MRL, veterinary drug MRL, and contaminant limit regulations, she helps organizations navigate complex compliance requirements and make informed risk management decisions. Madison oversees the development and enhancement of solutions that improve data quality, consistency, and compliance across the global food and agriculture supply chain. She holds Bachelor’s degrees in International Studies and Spanish, along with a minor in Professional Writing.
Fernando Antunes Lopes
Subject Matter Expert, Food Contaminants
FoodChain ID
Fernando is a food safety and regulatory affairs professional with extensive experience in regulatory assessment, food contaminants, pesticide residues, food fraud, risk assessment, and laboratory systems. At FoodChain ID, he serves as a Subject Matter Expert supporting the Regulatory Assessment and Regulatory Limits solutions, helping translate complex regulatory requirements into practical, technically sound assessments.
Before joining FoodChain ID, Fernando spent more than 14 years with the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture as a Federal Inspector. His experience included regulatory inspections, laboratory activities, food fraud investigations, risk analysis, and surveillance of regulated industries.
He holds a Master’s degree in Food Science from the University of Auckland, where his research focused on food fraud and vulnerability assessment. He has also completed extensive U.S. FDA training and an MBA in Artificial Intelligence, with a focus on applying AI to regulatory and food safety challenges.
Fernando is the author of peer-reviewed publications on food fraud and analytical quality assurance and has presented his work at international food safety conferences.
Key Topics Covered
1. Overview of the EU MRL Setting Process
Participants will learn how pesticide residue regulations move from scientific evaluation to legal implementation.
2. Regulatory Challenges Within the EU Market
The webinar will examine why the EU remains one of the most challenging markets for residue compliance.
3. Emerging Trend: Divergence Between EU and National MRL Requirements
Recent developments have introduced a new layer of complexity for regulatory teams.
Topics include:
- Member States establishing national MRL requirements that differ from EU-level MRLs
- Situations where compliance with EU MRLs may not ensure compliance in all Member States
- Implications for exporters, manufacturers, retailers, and supply chains
- Strategies for identifying and managing country-specific requirements
4. Technology Demo: Addressing EU MRL Compliance Challenges
The session will conclude with a demonstration of our MRL database and how it helps organizations:
- Monitor EU and Member State regulatory changes
- Identify upcoming MRL modifications before implementation
- Compare requirements across jurisdictions
- Reduce manual monitoring efforts
- Improve compliance decision-making
- Support market access and risk management strategies
- Maintain a current and centralized view of residue regulations
Who Should Attend
- Regulatory Affairs Professionals
- Compliance Managers
- Product Stewardship Teams
- International Trade and Market Access Professionals
- Food Safety and Quality Assurance Leaders
- Crop Protection Regulatory Specialists
- Supply Chain Risk Managers
- Agricultural and Food Industry Executives