Pesticides are well-known for their side effects on plants, humans and abiotic environment. They contribute in the deterioration not only of soils but also of surface water and groundwater. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of applied chromatographic techniques in the detection of pesticide residues. Thus, a meta-analysis was carried out on the results of the sampling tests implemented at national level in accordance with Greek and European legislation. The data came from the pesticide residue sampling tests, carried out during 2014-2015 by the national pesticide residue testing laboratories employing different types of chromatographic and spectroscopic equipment. In total, 4480 samples were examined, which related to 80 different products. The research question of whether or not the use of LC-MS/MS equipment affects the detection capacity of laboratories, and hence the reliability control of pesticide residues in various matrices, was thoroughly investigated. The analysis of the results revealed that the laboratories used LC-MS/MS equipment had about three times as many findings as the laboratories that did not use the corresponding equipment for most of the examined products. The results are in line with those of the relevant literature, which elucidates that the non-use of LC-MS/MS significantly limits the reliability control. The implemented meta-analysis contributed significantly in the comparison of the chromatographic techniques used under real conditions in the regulatory framework for controlling pesticide residues.