Section 3: How are label requirements regulated?

Pesticide Legislation

EPA regulates the use of pesticides under the authority of two federal statutes: the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA).

FIFRA provides the basis for regulation, sale, distribution, and use of pesticides in the United States. FIFRA authorizes EPA to review and register pesticides for specified uses. EPA also has the authority to suspend or cancel the registration of a pesticide if subsequent information shows that continued use would pose unreasonable risks.

FFDCA authorizes EPA to set maximum residue levels, or tolerances, for pesticides used in or on foods or animal feed.

The Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996 amends FIFRA and FFDCA, setting tougher safety standards for new and old pesticides and making uniform requirements regarding processed and unprocessed foods. Among other things, FQPA requires that EPA periodically review every pesticide registration every 15 years.

The Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA) of 2003 establishes pesticide registration service fees for registration actions. The category of action, the amount of the pesticide registration service fee, and the corresponding decision review periods by year are prescribed in these statutes.

Resources

For more information about the legislation that provides the basis for regulation, sale, distribution, and use of pesticides in the United States, see FIFRA.

To learn more about pesticide laws and regulations, visit the Office of Pesticide Programs' Learn more about pesticide laws and regulations.

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