The first version of this manual on the submission and evaluation of pesticide residues data for estimation of maximum residue levels in food and feed was printed by FAO in 1997 as a working document with the aim of consolidating the procedures used by the FAO Panel of experts on pesticide residues. The FAO Manual was revised in 2002 and in 2009 incorporated additional information from the JMPR Report of 1997-2009. Since then there have been many developments in the scientific evaluation process of the Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR), administered by FAO and the World Health Organization. The present manual incorporates all relevant information and principles that are currently used by the JMPR to estimate maximum residue levels (MRLs), supervised trials median residue (STMR) values and dietary risk from pesticide residues. The manual will constantly be revised and updated in the light of experience gained and developments in residue data evaluation. Its aim is also to improve communication between the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR) and its member countries and other participants in the CCPR and to explain the procedures being adopted by the FAO Panel of the JMPR.