Mecoprop-p is a synthetic auxin herbicide belonging to the chemical class of phenoxyalkanoic acid. It is used widely for post-emergence control of broad-leaved weeds in winter and spring wheat (including durum and spelt), barley, rye, oats, herbage, seed crops, and grassland.

Mecoprop-P is approved for its use in the European Union. Maximum residue levels (MRLs) have been set according to Reg (EC) No 149/2008 for mecoprop-P as a sum of mecoprop-P and mecoprop expressed as mecoprop for various products of plant origin from 0.05 to 0.1 mg/kg.


Mecoprop-p was included in Annex I to Directive 91/414/EEC on 01 June 2004. It is listed as one of the active substances in Regulation (EU) No 686/2012 according to the renewal procedure of the approval of active substances submitted under Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009.

The analytical standard can be used for the following:

• To investigate the relationships between soil depth, the biodegradation of mecoprop-p, and the copy number and diversity of the tfdA gene group
• Study of adsorption and desorption behavior of two phenoxyalkanoic acid herbicides in a Haplic Cambisol with tillage and grassland management using a batch equilibrium method
• To investigate the persistence of S-metalachlor, bentazon, isoproturon, and mecaprop-P in heavy metal contaminated soil before and after EDTA-based remediation
• To assess the effects of mecoprop, mecoprop-p, and their biodegradation compound 2-methyl-4-chlorophenol on two larval stages of Crassostrea gigas
• To study adsorption-desorption Nicosulfuron and the ionic pesticide Mecoprop-P on a calcined Mg-Al hydrotalcite (HT-500) in the presence and absence of various anions

PESTANAL is a registered trademark of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany