On 16 April 2025, seven Gulf countries (United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen) submitted a joint addendum to the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding their draft Technical Regulation on maximum limits for pesticide residues in agricultural and food products.

Key Updates

• The update, coordinated by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) representing the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), amends several Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) in the Gulf Standard Organization’s (GSO) 2019 draft standard.

• The revised limits apply to a wide range of commodities, including fruits (e.g. apples, mangoes, and citrus), vegetables (e.g. cucumbers, tomatoes, and leafy greens), grains (e.g. barley, sorghum, and wheat), and animal products (e.g. meat, milk, and eggs).

• Notable affected pesticide substances include chlorpyrifos, fenpyroximate, imazalil, and metalaxyl, among others.

• The changes aim to align with updated scientific assessments and regional safety priorities.

Stakeholder Engagement

• WTO members and stakeholders have 60 days until 15 June 2025, to submit comments.

• The updated draft is accessible here.

• Comments should be directed to the SFDA.

This move reflects the GCC's continued effort to harmonize food safety regulations with international standards, considering regional consumption patterns and risk assessments.