Design for the Environment Logo for Antimicrobial Pesticide Products
- Qualifying for Use of the DfE Logo for Antimicrobial Products
- Meaning of the DfE Logo on Antimicrobial Product Label
- Active ingredients for use in antimicrobial products that qualify for the DfE logo
- Authorized use of the DfE logo
- List of antimicrobial products that qualify for the DfE logo
- Additional information
Qualifying for Use of the DfE Logo for Antimicrobial Products
To obtain the Design for the Environment (DfE) logo, pesticide registrants should follow the instructions to apply for the DfE Logo on Antimicrobial pesticide labels. In addition, if your product label will claim to protect against microorganisms that pose a threat to human health, you must provide test results demonstrating effectiveness on hard, nonporous surfaces against those pests.
The application package must include a signed certification, as specified in the instructions.
Meaning of the DfE Logo on Antimicrobial Product Label
If you see the DfE logo on an EPA-authorized antimicrobial pesticide label, you can be assured that the product:
- is in the least-hazardous classes (i.e., III and IV) of EPA’s acute toxicity category hierarchy;
- is unlikely to have carcinogenic or endocrine disruptor properties;
- is unlikely to cause developmental, reproductive, mutagenic, or neurotoxicity issues;
- EPA has reviewed and accepted mixtures, including inert ingredients;
- does not require the use of Agency-mandated personal protective equipment;
- has no unresolved or unreasonable adverse effects reported;
- has no unresolved efficacy failures (associated with the Antimicrobial Testing Program or otherwise);
- has no unresolved compliance or enforcement actions associated with it; and
- has the identical formulation as the one identified in the DfE application approved by EPA.
EPA does not consider the logo to be an endorsement. Similar to saying a pesticide is “EPA registered” because EPA has found it meets the registration standard, the DfE logo indicates that the product has been reviewed and meets the Safer Choice Standard.
Active Ingredients for Use in Antimicrobial Products that Qualify for the DfE Logo
Products composed of one or more of the active ingredients listed below may be considered for the DfE logo on a case by case basis.
If you have an active ingredient that you would like to be considered for the DfE logo, please contact SaferChoice_Support@abtassoc.com.
Note: All ingredients, active or inert ingredient, must meet the Safer Choice Standard.
| Active Ingredients | Year Approved |
|---|---|
| Citric acid | 2009 |
| Hydrogen peroxide | 2009 |
| L-lactic acid | 2009 |
| Ethanol | 2012 |
| Isopropanol | 2012 |
| Peroxyacetic acid | 2015 |
| Sodium Bisulfate | 2015 |
| Chitosan | 2019 |
Authorized Use of the DfE Logo
Antimicrobial pesticides that meet the requirements for the DfE logo are only authorized to display the logo on the product label. No other claims, terms, words or images implying safety are allowed unless we expressly authorize them. If you see a pesticide product that appears not to comply with this authorized use, please contact EPA’s Regional Office in your area to report potentially illegal products. Using the DfE logo on a pesticide product without having prior approval from EPA would be a violation under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), and EPA may take action as part of its FIFRA enforcement program.
Additionally, unauthorized use of an EPA mark, for example placing the DfE logo on a product prior to its being qualified to display the logo, constitutes fraud and is punishable as a crime. It is the responsibility of EPA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) to investigate allegations of fraud relating to an Agency logo and refer cases to regional and state counsel for prosecution. EPA will bring all cases of fraud involving the logo to the OIG.
List of Antimicrobial Products that Qualify for the DfE Logo
EPA maintains a list of products that EPA has certified as qualifying to display the DfE logo on the product label. Inclusion on this list does not constitute an endorsement by EPA.
Pesticide products are often marketed under more than one name. Use the EPA Registration Number rather than the product name to check on the approval status of a product. If the EPA Registration Number has three parts (xxx-xxx-xxx), use only the first two parts, as the last part indicates the "distributor" of the product, not the main registrant. See more information about supplemental distribution.
Additional Information
If you have questions about the DfE logo for antimicrobial products, please contact Jacqueline Hardy (hardy.jacqueline@epa.gov).
View questions and answers about the DfE logo for antimicrobial products.