Since the analysis results are available, all wholesalers and importers involved in the monitoring are informed. The pesticide residues are classified into five categories, with the first four relating to active substances whose use is not approved in the EU organic regulation:
Pesticide findings in categories 3 and 4:
If the pesticide residue is in category 3 or 4, a counter analysis is ordered at a second laboratory to rule out a laboratory error (although laboratory errors and false-positive findings are extremely rare).
All participating companies are immediately informed about the residue finding, including the name of the producer and its suppliers. The participating wholesalers can inform the retailers.
If there is suspicion that the product does not comply with the EU organic regulation and thus should not be traded as "organic", the product is not marketed by the participants. The participating company informs its suppliers and requests immediate clarification of the causes. In addition, it informs the competent control authorities for organic farming.
If a residue exceeds the maximum residue levels established in the European maximum residue levels regulation (EC 396/2005 and annexes) (category 4), the product must be locked immediately. The legally required measures apply. The BNN members are informed simultaneously with the participants about non-marketable products.
Additional sampling of already ordered goods:
If at the time of the laboratory results, further goods from the same producing or packaging company have already been ordered and loaded, a neutral person on behalf of the affected importer or wholesaler will take a new sample. There are two cases to be distinguished:
Case A - no pesticide residue:
If no pesticide can be detected, the goods are not contaminated and can be traded. The results of the new sample will be communicated to the participants of the BNN-monitoring in a timely manner.
Case B - pesticide residue:
If a pesticide is found and there is suspicion of non-conformity of the goods with the EU organic regulation, the goods must be locked by the commissioner of the sample without delay. The participating company, where the disputed sample was taken, informs its suppliers and researches where the contamination comes from.
Refusal to reorder:
A product in which pesticides have been found will not be reordered from the producer by the monitoring participants as long as there is a well-founded suspicion that the goods do not comply with the requirements of the EU organic regulation. Other products from the producer or batches/containers of the exporter are sampled as planned. The coordination office passes on the research results to all participants.