L 22/24 Official Journal of the European Union 26.1.2006 COMMISSION DIRECTIVE 2006/9/EC of 23 January 2006 amending Council Directives 90/642/EEC as regards the maximum residue levels of diquat, fixed therein (Text with EEA relevance) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Directive 90/642/EEC  of 27 November 1990 on the fixing of maximum levels for pesticide residues in and on certain products of plant origin including fruit and vegetables ('), and in particular Article 7 thereof, Having regard to Council Directive 91/414/EEC of 15 July 1991 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market (3), and in particular Article 4(1)(f) thereof, Whereas: (1) In accordance with Directive 91/414/EEC, authorisations of plant protection products for use on specific crops are the responsibility of the Member States. Such authori- sations have to be based on the evaluation of effects on human and animal health and influence on the envi- ronment. Elements to be taken into account in such evaluations include operator and bystander exposure and impact on the terrestrial, aquatic and aerial envi- ronments, as well as impact on humans and animals through consumption of residues on treated crops. (2)  Maximum residue levels (MRLs) reflect the use of minimum quantities of pesticides to achieve effective protection of plants, applied in such a manner that the amount of residue is the smallest practicable and is toxicologically acceptable, in particular in terms of estimated dietary intake. (3)  MRLs for pesticides should be kept under review. They may be changed to take account of new uses, new infor- mation and data. (4 MRLs are fixed at the lower limit of analytical determi- nation where authorised uses of plant protection products do not result in detectable levels of pesticide () O] L 350, 14.12.1990, p. 71. Directive as last amended by Commission Directive 2005/76/EC (O] L 293, 9.11.2005, p. 14). () O] L 230, 19.8.1991, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Commission Directive 2005/72/EC (O] L 279, 22.10.2005, p. 63). residues in or on the food product, or where there are no authorised uses, or where uses which have been authorised by Member States have not been supported by the necessary data, or where uses in third countries resulting in residues in or on food products which may enter into circulation in the Community market have not been supported with such necessary data. (5)  Information on new or changed uses of diquat covered by Directive 90/642/EEC has been notified to the Commission. (6)  The lifetime exposure of consumers to these pesticides via food products that may contain residues of these pesticides, has been assessed and evaluated in accordance with the procedures and practices used within the Community, taking account of guidelines published by the World Health Organisation (3). It has been calculated that the MRLs concerned will ensure that the acceptable daily intake is not exceeded. (7)  An assessment of the available information has shown that no ARfD is required and that therefore a short term assessment is not needed. (8)  Therefore it is appropriate to fix new maximum levels for residues of diquat. (9)  The setting or modification at Community level of provi- sional MRLs does not prevent the Member States from establishing provisional MRLs for diquat in accordance with Article 4(1)(f) of Directive 91/414/EEC and Annex VI thereto. It is considered that a period of four years is sufficient to permit further uses of diquat. The provi- sional Community MRL should then become definitive. (10)  Directive 90/642[EEC should therefore be amended accordingly. (11)  The measures provided for in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, (}) Guidelines for predicting dietary intake of pesticide residues (revised), prepared by the GEMS[Food Programme in collaboration with the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues, published by the World Health Organisation 1997 (WHO/FSF[FOS/97.7).