Design for the Environment Logo for Biopesticide Products
How to Obtain the DfE Logo for Biopesticide Products
Currently, there are no biopesticide products that have been approved to carry the DfE logo, nor are there any biopesticide active ingredients approved for use in DfE-labeled products.
To obtain the DfE logo, pesticide registrants should follow the instructions to apply for the DfE logo on biopesticide labels.
The application package must include a signed certification, as specified in the instructions.
What the DfE Logo Means on Biopesticide Product Labels
Once EPA determines that a biopesticide product qualifies to carry the DfE logo on its label, you can be assured that the product:
- is in the least-hazardous (III or 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;
- contains mixtures that have been reviewed and accepted by EPA, including inert ingredients;
- has no unresolved or unreasonable adverse effects reported;
- has no unresolved compliance or enforcement actions associated with it; and
- has the identical formulation as the one identified in the DfE application reviewed 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 DfE standard.
Authorized Use of the DfE Logo
Biopesticides that meet the requirements for including the DfE logo on the product label are only authorized to display the logo. 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 logo associated with a pesticide product without having prior approval 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.
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.
Additional Information
If you have questions about the DfE logo for biopesticide products, please contact Raderrio Wilkins (wilkins.raderrio@epa.gov).