An official website of the United States government.

This is not the current EPA website. To navigate to the current EPA website, please go to www.epa.gov. This website is historical material reflecting the EPA website as it existed on January 19, 2021. This website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work. More information »

Related Topics:
Contact Us

Label Review Training: Module 3: Special Issues, Page 39

Section 8: How should I review labeling claims?

Efficacy-Related Claims

Even though registrants/applicants must conduct efficacy studies, EPA only routinely requires the submission of these studies for certain types of products. As discussed in Module 1, EPA reviews efficacy data (also referred to as product performance data) when a pesticide product bears a claim to control pest organisms that pose a threat to human health.

The following table provides examples of acceptable and unacceptable efficacy claims.

Acceptable Unacceptable
The terms “microbiocide,” “microbicide,” and “microbiostat” on a non-public-health product if the claim indicates that the product does not provide public health protection. The terms “microbiocide,” “microbicide,” and “microbiostat” on a public health product.
The term “biocide” on a non-public-health product if the directions for use or other statements make clear the types of organisms to be controlled. The term “biocide” on a public health product, because it implies that the product can kill all living organisms.
True, non-misleading claims regarding the effectiveness of a product against target pests. For example:
  • “Kills roaches”
  • “Controls target pests”
  • “Controls ticks, which may carry Lyme disease”
 Exaggerated or misleading claims regarding the effectiveness of a product against target pests. For example:
  • “Complete control”
  • “100% kill”
  • “Controls Lyme disease”
Terms that describe a specific level of efficacy and that are standard EPA-accepted claims, when data support their use. For example:
  • “Bacteriostatic”
  • “Sanitizer”
  • “Disinfectant”
  • “Sterilant”
 Terms that describe a specific level of efficacy but that are not supported by data.
Terms that function only to define a use site and that are not themselves claims of heightened efficacy, provided that such terms are not used in a manner that is misleading. For example:
  • "Hospital use" as long as it does not imply “hospital strength,” is not used in the product name, and is not highlighted on the label to the exclusion of other acceptable use sites.
 Implied claims of heightened efficacy of a pesticide product by itself or as compared to another product or device. For example:
  • “Professional strength”
  • “Hospital strength”
  • “Industrial strength”
  • “Hospital grade”
  • “High potency”
  • “High-powered”
The claim of “new” if the product is of new composition and has been approved for a period of six months or less. The word “new,” if it is part of the product name of record.
  Words or phrases that imply a product possesses unique characteristics because of its composition. For example:
  • “Unique formula”
  • “Strongest on the market”
  Claims that are inconsistent with efficacy established by testing. For example:
  • A claim of 30-second efficacy if testing and/or use directions require 2-minute contact time for efficacy.
  Claims of efficacy based on an unsubstantiated, or improbable site/pest relationship. For example:
  • A claim for control of Legionnaires' disease in cooling tower water.

Resource

For more information about efficacy-related claims, see Chapter 12, Section VII of the Label Review Manual.

Page 39 of 43
Previous Page   Next Page

Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.