The Federal Registration Process and Requirements for the United States

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). Under FIFRA, the EPA is authorized to regulate pesticides to ensure that their use does not cause unreasonable adverse effects to humans and the environment. Under FFDCA, EPA has the responsibility to establish tolerances for pesticide residues on food crops. A tolerance is the maximum allowable residue of a pesticide on food. Such regulatory oversight is designed to minimize risks while allowing the public to benefit from pesticide use. Prior to lawful use in commerce, a pesticide must be registered by the EPA, unless specifically exempted by regulation. Registrants of pesticides are responsible for submitting specific data to the agency to support the conclusion that the pesticide will not significantly increase the risk of adverse effects to humans or to the environment. Once a pesticide is registered by the EPA, it may be sold and distributed in the United States and used as specified on the approved label.