Type: Insecticide.
Health hazards: Neurotoxic, brain damage after exposure of pregnant animals.
Environmental hazards: Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Exposure: Authorised in pesticides in all Member States: AT, BE, BG, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, EL, ES, FI, FR, HR, HU, IE, IT, LT, LU, LV, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK.
Residue present in food: From December 2024 the European Commission has lowered the maximum residue limits (MRLs) for deltamethrin on a wide range of products. For kiwi fruits, potatoes, cabbages, escaroles, globe artichokes, beans, oilseeds, and spices, the MRL is reduced to the limit of determination (LOD) of 0.01–0.05 mg/kg.
Regulatory state of play: Initially approved from 2004 to 2013, currently approved until August 2026. In February 2025 PAN Europe asked the EU Commission to propose a ban on deltamethrin because of its neurotoxic properties.
Main use: As insecticide on a wide range of crops and as biocide to kill insects and other arthropods.
