{"id":"F2015L00415","name":"Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 1.4.2 – Agvet chemicals","slug":"australia-new-zealand-food-standards-code-standard-1-4-2-agvet-chemicals","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":93001,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2015L00415-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 1.4.2 – Agvet chemicals","content":"Standard 1.4.2 Agvet chemicals\n\nNote 1 This instrument is a standard under the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (Cth). The standards together make up the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. See also section 1.1.1—3.\n\nNote 2 This Standard is the Maximum Residue Limits Standard for the purposes of the FSANZ Act.\n\nNote 3 This Standard applies in Australia only. In New Zealand, maximum residue limits for agricultural compounds are set out in a Maximum Residue Limits Standard issued under the Food Act 2014.\n\nNote 4 The application Acts provide that food is unsuitable if the food contains, among other things, a chemical agent that is foreign to the nature of the food. Food is not unsuitable if, when it is sold, it does not contain an agvet chemical in an amount that contravenes the Code.\n\nParagraph 1.1.1—10(6)(d) provides that a food for sale must not have, as an ingredient or a component, a detectable amount of an agvet chemical or a metabolite or a degradation product of the agvet chemical; unless expressly permitted by this Code.\n\nSections 1.4.2—4 and 1.4.2—5 and associated Schedules set out the relevant permissions. Permitted residues are identified in section S20—3.\n\n1.4.2—1 Name\n\nThis Standard is Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code – Standard 1.4.2 – Agvet chemicals.\n\nNote Commencement:  \nThis Standard commences on 1 March 2016, being the date specified as the commencement date in notices in the Gazette under section 92 of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 (Cth). See also section 93 of that Act.\n\n1.4.2—2 Purpose of Standard\n\nThe purpose of this Standard and Schedule 20, Schedule 21 and Schedule 22 is to set out the maximum residue limits and extraneous residue limits for agricultural or veterinary chemicals that are permitted in foods for sale.\n\nNote Maximum residue limits have been determined:\n\n(a) by the amount of residues of such chemicals that could be present in food when they are used at the minimum effective level and using Good Agricultural Practice (GAP); and\n\n(b) after an assessment of the potential risk to public health and safety at that level.\n\n1.4.2—3 Definitions and interpretation\n\nNote In this Code (see section 1.1.2—2):\n\nagvet chemical means an agricultural chemical product or a veterinary chemical product, within the meaning of the Agvet Code.\n\nNote The Agvet Code is the Code set out in the Schedule to the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Code Act 1994 (Cth). See subsection 4(1) of the FSANZ Act.\n\nextraneous residue limit or ERL, for an agvet chemical in a food, means the amount identified in Schedule 21 for the permitted residue of that agvet chemical in that food.\n\nmaximum residue limit or MRL, for an agvet chemical in a food, means the amount identified in Schedule 20 for the permitted residue of that agvet chemical in that food.\n\n(1) In this Standard:\n\npermitted residue, of an \\*agvet chemical, means a chemical that is identified in Schedule 20 or Schedule 21 as being a permitted residue in relation to the agvet chemical.\n\n(2) When calculating the amount of a permitted residue in a food:\n\n(a) only calculate the amount that is in the portion of the commodity that is specified in Schedule 22; and\n\n(b) if the permitted residue consists of more than 1 chemical, calculate the amount of all such chemicals that are present in the food.\n\n(3) Unless a maximum amount of a permitted residue of an \\*agvet chemical is specified for a processed food, the same maximum amount applies to both the processed and the unprocessed food.  \n\n(4) In this Standard, and in Schedule 20 and Schedule 21, a reference to a particular food is to the food as described in Schedule 22.\n\n1.4.2—4 Maximum residue limit of agvet chemicals in foods\n\n(1) A food for sale may contain a permitted residue of an \\*agvet chemical if:\n\n(a) the agvet chemical is listed in Schedule 20; and\n\n(b) the food consists of, or has as an ingredient, a food that is listed in relation to that agvet chemical in Schedule 20; and\n\n(c) the amount of the permitted residue of the agvet chemical in the food complies with subsection (2) or subsection (3), as appropriate.\n\n(2) For a food for sale that consists of a food that is listed in relation to that \\*agvet chemical in Schedule 20, the amount of the permitted residue of the agvet chemical in the food complies with this subsection if the amount is not greater than the amount identified in relation to that food for that agvet chemical in Schedule 20.\n\n![](image.001.png) (3) For a food for sale that has 2 or more ingredients, 1 or more of which is a food that is listed in relation to the \\*agvet chemical in Schedule 20, the amount of the permitted residue of the agvet chemical in the food complies with this subsection if the amount is not greater than the amount MRL calculated in accordance with the following equation:\n\nwhere:\n\nN is the number of ingredients of the food that are listed in Schedule 20 in relation to that agvet chemical.\n\nWeight(j) is the weight of the jth such ingredient.\n\nWeight is the total weight of the food.\n\nMRL(j) is the amount identified in relation to the jth ingredient for a permitted residue of that agvet chemical in Schedule 20.\n\n1.4.2—5 Extraneous residue limit of agvet chemicals in foods\n\n(1) A food for sale may contain a permitted residue of an \\*agvet chemical if:\n\n(a) the agvet chemical is listed in Schedule 21; and\n\n(b) the food consists of, or has as an ingredient, a food that is listed in relation to that agvet chemical in Schedule 21 and\n\n(c) the amount of the permitted residue of the agvet chemical in the food complies with subsection 1.4.2—4(2) or subsection 1.4.2—4(3), as appropriate; and\n\n(d) the presence of the permitted residue of the agvet chemical in the food arose from environmental sources, and not from direct or indirect use of an agvet chemical on food.\n\n(2) For a food for sale that consists of a food that is listed in relation to that \\*agvet chemical in Schedule 21, the amount of the permitted residue of the agvet chemical in the food complies with this subsection if the amount is not greater than the amount identified in relation to that food for that agvet chemical in Schedule 21.\n\n(3) For a food for sale that has 2 or more ingredients, 1 or more of which is a food that is listed in relation to the \\*agvet chemical in or Schedule 21, the amount of the agvet chemical in the food complies with this subsection if the amount is not greater than the amount MRL calculated in accordance with the following equation:\n\n  \n\n![](image.002.png)\n\nwhere:\n\nN is the number of ingredients of the food that are listed in Schedule 21 in relation to that agvet chemical.\n\nWeight(j) is the weight of the jth such ingredient.\n\nWeight is the total weight of the food.\n\nMRL(j) is the amount identified in relation to the jth ingredient for that agvet chemical in Schedule 21.\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_  \n\nAmendment History\n\nThe Amendment History provides information about each amendment to the Standard. The information includes commencement or cessation information for relevant amendments.\n\nThese amendments are made under section 92 of the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991 unless otherwise indicated. Amendments do not have a specific date for cessation unless indicated as such.\n\nAbout this compilation\n\nThis is a compilation of Standard 1.4.2 as in force on 1 March 2016 (up to Amendment No. 161). It includes any commenced amendment affecting the compilation to that date.\n\nPrepared by Food Standards Australia New Zealand on 1 March 2016.\n\nUncommenced amendments or provisions ceasing to have effect\n\nTo assist stakeholders, the effect of any uncommenced amendments or provisions which will cease to have effect, may be reflected in the Standard as shaded boxed text with the relevant commencement or cessation date. These amendments will be reflected in a compilation registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments including or omitting those amendments and provided in the Amendment History once the date is passed.\n\nThe following abbreviations may be used in the table below:\n\nad = added or inserted am = amended\n\nexp = expired or ceased to have effect rep = repealed\n\nrs = repealed and substituted\n\nStandard 1.4.2 was published in the Food Standards Gazette No. FSC96 on 10 April 2015 as part of Amendment 154 (F2015L00415 –- 31 March 2015) and has since been amended as follows:\n\n| Section affected | A’ment No. | FRLI registrationGazette                | Commencement(Cessation) | How affected | Description of amendment                     |\n| ---------------- | ---------- | --------------------------------------- | ----------------------- | ------------ | -------------------------------------------- |\n| Std heading      | 161        | F2016L0012018 Feb 2016FSC10322 Feb 2016 | 1 March 2016            | am           | Correction of typographical error in Note 3. |","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation maintains its original purpose of setting residue limits for agricultural and veterinary chemicals in food. While the Standard references external Schedules containing extensive chemical-specific data, this is inherent to the design of a food standards code where technical data is separated from the regulatory framework. The scope has not expanded beyond its original intent of establishing maximum and extraneous residue limits."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-referencing to three separate Schedules (20, 21, and 22) for complete operation","Mathematical formula required for multi-ingredient processed foods (weighted average calculation)","Dual regulatory pathways (MRLs vs ERLs) with slightly different compliance conditions","Defined terms requiring reference to external legislation (Agvet Code, FSANZ Act)","Specific portion rules (Schedule 22) affecting how residues are measured","Implicit incorporation by reference of hundreds of chemical-specific limits not contained in the main text"],"plain_english_summary":"This Standard sets Australia’s legal limits for agricultural and veterinary chemical residues in food — including pesticides, herbicides and animal medicines — by defining maximum residue limits (MRLs) and extraneous residue limits (ERLs) for specific foods. It requires producers and manufacturers to ensure, using specified testing approaches and calculation methods for mixed/processed foods, that residues reflect proper use and remain within safety-based limits.  \n\nIt protects consumers by making food above the limits unsaleable; New Zealand uses a separate system."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Standard's stated and mechanical purpose is to set maximum residue limits and extraneous residue limits for agvet chemicals in foods for sale (s 1.4.2—2). The text provided consolidates that function and relies on Schedules for the operational lists. The amendment history in the compilation provided refers to a typographical correction; there is no indication in the material given that the Standard's substantive scope has been expanded beyond its original purpose of recording and enforcing MRLs/ERLs. Therefore the scope has not changed significantly from the original intent as expressed in the Standard."},"complexity_factors":["Three linked Schedules (Schedule 20: MRLs; Schedule 21: ERLs; Schedule 22: commodity/portion descriptions) that contain the detailed numeric and commodity entries","Cross-references to other instruments and Code provisions (the Agvet Code, the FSANZ Act, and section 1.1.1—10(6)(d) of the Food Standards Code)","Weighted-average formula for multi-ingredient foods in ss 1.4.2—4(3) and 1.4.2—5(3) (requires calculation across listed ingredients and proportions)","Conditional rule for ERLs requiring proof the residue arose from environmental sources and not from use (s 1.4.2—5(1)(d)) — introduces fact-sensitive enforcement","Calculation rules that limit measurement to the commodity portion described in Schedule 22 and require summation where multiple chemicals comprise the permitted residue (s 1.4.2—3(2))","A general processing rule that the same limit applies to processed foods unless a different limit is specified (s 1.4.2—3(3))","Potentially large and regularly updated schedules of chemical/food pairs (the schedules are where most of the operational detail sits, increasing practical complexity even if the standard's text is short)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this standard does (mechanics)\n\n- Sets the permitted maximum amounts of agricultural and veterinary chemical residues (pesticides, veterinary drugs and their breakdown products) that are allowed to be present in foods sold in Australia. These permitted amounts are called Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and Extraneous Residue Limits (ERLs). (See sections 1.4.2—2, 1.4.2—3 and Schedules 20–22.)\n\n- MRLs are listed in Schedule 20 and apply where the residue results from the intended agricultural or veterinary use of the chemical (s 1.4.2—4). ERLs are listed in Schedule 21 and apply only where the residue reached the food from environmental sources, not from direct or indirect use of the chemical on the food (s 1.4.2—5(1)(d)).\n\n- For single-ingredient foods the residue must not exceed the MRL or ERL specified for that commodity (s 1.4.2—4(2), 1.4.2—5(2)). For multi-ingredient foods a weighted formula (a proportionate, weight-based average) is used to calculate the allowable residue in the final product (s 1.4.2—4(3), 1.4.2—5(3)).\n\n- When measuring residues, only the part of the commodity identified in Schedule 22 is used for the calculation (s 1.4.2—3(2)(a)). If a permitted residue comprises more than one chemical, the amounts of all those chemicals are summed (s 1.4.2—3(2)(b)).\n\n- Unless a different limit is expressly specified for a processed food, the same limit that applies to the raw (unprocessed) commodity applies to the processed product (s 1.4.2—3(3)).\n\n- The Standard applies in Australia only; New Zealand sets its own MRLs under its Food Act (notes following title and Note 3).\n\nWhy it matters (stated purpose and practical effect)\n\n- Official purpose: to record the maximum levels of agvet chemical residues permitted in food based on expected residues from Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) and after an assessment of public health risk (s 1.4.2—2 and accompanying Note). That is, these limits are intended to permit residues that arise when chemicals are used correctly and to protect consumers.\n\n- Practical effect: growers, livestock owners, food processors and importers must ensure the residues in foods they sell are at or below the specified MRLs/ERLs. Food that contains a detectable prohibited residue can be treated as unsuitable for sale under the application Acts (see note after Note 3 and cf. paragraph 1.1.1—10(6)(d)).\n\nWho is affected and who decides\n\n- Who decides: Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) sets and updates the schedules of MRLs/ERLs and the Code provides the legal requirement to comply with those listed limits (notes and s 1.4.2—2; the Standard is part of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code).\n\n- Who pays / who must act: producers, veterinarians, agronomists, food processors, packers, importers and retailers bear the compliance costs. Typical actions include changing pesticide or veterinary chemical use, adopting different GAP, extra testing, record-keeping and rejecting or treating non‑compliant lots.\n\nBehavioural and market consequences to consider (mechanisms, trade-offs and risks)\n\n- Compliance costs and testing: The Standard requires monitoring and enforcement against listed limits. That imposes testing and administrative costs on food business operators and potentially on regulators.\n\n- Distinguishing residues: ERLs permit residues from environmental contamination but only if the residue did not arise from direct or indirect use. Determining the source of a residue (environmental vs use) can be fact- and testing-intensive and creates implementation and enforcement challenges (s 1.4.2—5(1)(d)).\n\n- Trade and market access: MRLs affect international trade. Exporters must meet importing countries' MRLs as well as Australian ones; divergence can force producers to change practices or restrict markets. Conversely, harmonised MRLs can reduce costs.\n\n- Small businesses: Record-keeping, testing and reformulation costs are often proportionally higher for smaller producers and processors.\n\n- Regulatory discretion and updates: The lists themselves are in Schedules 20–22. Changes to those Schedules (additions, deletions, numerical adjustments) are how the practical scope of permitted residues changes; such updates carry transition and compliance timing issues.\n\nSummary of the legal rule in one sentence\n\n- Foods sold in Australia may contain specified agvet chemical residues only up to the numeric limits listed in the Code's Schedules (MRLs in Schedule 20; ERLs in Schedule 21 for environmentally derived residues), measured by the commodity parts set out in Schedule 22, and calculated proportionally for multi‑ingredient foods (ss 1.4.2—3 to 1.4.2—5)."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/australia-new-zealand-food-standards-code-standard-1-4-2-agvet-chemicals","history":"/api/acts/australia-new-zealand-food-standards-code-standard-1-4-2-agvet-chemicals/history","analysis":"/api/acts/australia-new-zealand-food-standards-code-standard-1-4-2-agvet-chemicals/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/australia-new-zealand-food-standards-code-standard-1-4-2-agvet-chemicals/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/australia-new-zealand-food-standards-code-standard-1-4-2-agvet-chemicals/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/australia-new-zealand-food-standards-code-standard-1-4-2-agvet-chemicals/documents"}}