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Pesticides

EPA Initiates Rulemaking to Revise Certain Aspects of the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) and the Certification and Training (C&T) Rule; Implementation Dates for WPS and C&T Remain In Effect

For Release:  December 14, 2017

Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS)

EPA has initiated a process to revise certain requirements in the WPS.  By the end of FY2018, EPA expects to publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to solicit public input on proposed revisions to the WPS requirements for minimum ages, designated representatives, and application exclusion zones. The compliance dates in the revised WPS published on November 2, 2015, remain in effect; the Agency does not intend to extend them.

Certification and Training (C&T, or Certification of Pesticide Applicators) Rule

EPA has initiated a process to revise the minimum age requirements in the C&T rule. EPA expects to publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to solicit public input on proposed revisions to the rule by the end of FY2018. The implementation dates in the January 4, 2017, final rule, (1) for certifying authorities to submit revised certification plans and (2) for EPA to act on those plans remain in effect; EPA has no plans to change those implementation dates.

Learn more about the WPS

Learn more about the C&T Rule