Pesticide metabolites for residue definition

EFSA Guidance on the establishment of the residue definition for dietary risk assessment provides directions for determining the metabolites that require hazard identification and characterisation using scientific tools and methods ((Q)SAR), read-across, threshold of toxicological concern (TTC)) and available data in combination, and for developing an appropriate testing strategy for these compounds.

The procedure of derivation of the residue definition for dietary risk assessment is a screening exercise, where the relevance of all metabolites, individually or in groups, is thoroughly assessed in a stepwise approach. For every single metabolite, this screening generates an inventory of toxicities.

The genotoxicity assessment is recommended to be assisted by application of (Q)SAR and read-across of metabolites. The assessment of general toxicity is proposing the combined use of the TTC approach, elements of grouping and read-across, besides testing.