Since September 2008 all statutory MRLs have been set on an EC-wide basis under Regulation 396/2005. For further information on this Regulation please follow this link. Proposals to set, modify or delete MRLs in Regulation 396/2005 are now under consideration. These proposals are based on EFSA Opinions and are subject to votes in the Standing Committee. Raised levels need only one vote, whereas lowered levels require two votes. In the latter case, proposals are notified to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) following the first indicative vote to allow third countries to raise any points of difficulty. Once all concerns have been addressed a second formal vote is taken by the Committee, after which the proposal is adopted provided the necessary majority of member states is secured and following scrutiny by the European Parliament and Council.

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/food_safety.asp?id=546

n 1999, the United Kingdom signed the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure (PIC), which allows signatories to monitor and control the international trade of certain dangerous chemicals.

In the European Union, Regulation (EC) No. 689/2008 concerning the export and import of dangerous chemicals implements the Rotterdam Convention and is the latest in a series of such regulations on international chemicals trade dating back to 1992.

It promotes shared responsibility and co-operation and allows countries that are importing certain dangerous chemicals to specify conditions that the imported chemicals must meet.

It aims to protect human health and the environment by providing developing countries with information on how to store, transport, use and dispose of dangerous chemicals safely.

This regulation also includes chemicals from the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPS) the export of which is banned.

The Health & Safety Executive’s Chemicals Regulation Directorate leads the PIC Designated National Authority for Great Britain.

http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/appendices.asp?id=2804