New version of the OECD Test Guideline 506
New version of the OECD Test Guideline 506
The original OECD Test Guideline 506 for Stability of Pesticide Residues in Stored Commodities was published in 2007. The Guideline outlines the procedures for assessing the stability of pesticide residues in stored commodities which helps determine how long pesticide residues remain at detectable levels in various stored products after treatment. The revision process began in 2021 involving a dedicated drafting group and reviews by the Residue Chemistry Expert Group (RCEG). A public consultation was held between January 14th to February 24th, 2025, to gather feedback on the revised draft and this new version was adopted on the 25th of June 2025. The updates aim to ensure that the Guideline remains relevant and practical for assessing pesticide residue stability in stored commodities. The revisions address the evolving needs of pesticide regulation and the development of analytical methods, while also considering the diversity of commodities and the potential impact of processing.
Key Updates to the OECD Test Guideline include:
Matrix Group Harmonization: The original five representative matrix groups for plant commodities have been reduced to four by merging high starch and high protein content commodities into a single group (dry matrices).
Additional Animal Matrices: Bee and fish matrices have been incorporated into the Guideline.
Extrapolation Table: A new table has been added to provide a comprehensive list of commodities and their attribution to the updated matrix groups, including both processed and unprocessed plant materials.
Test Procedure Clarification: The test procedure for storage stability studies has been refined for better clarity.
Examples and Interpretations: The revised Guideline includes various examples to address specific scenarios like the stability of conjugates and interpretation of inconsistent results.
If you need advice or assistance with the regulation of plant protection products, fertilising products, biocides or chemicals in the EU and UK, please do not hesitate to contact the experts at Kerona info@kerona.ie