EPA Hosts Webinar on Electronic Gold Seal Letter Process for Exporting Pesticides

This original announcement was published by the EPA on June 5, 2021. Click here for more information.

EPA is hosting a webinar geared towards pesticide registrants on June 14, 2021, at 1:00 PM EST, to provide a walkthrough of the Pesticide Submission Portal, the digital platform for requesting Certificates of Registration, commonly known as gold seal letters. These letters serve as proof for pesticide exporters that the product is registered with EPA and meets all necessary registration requirements. Stakeholders interested in attending the presentation can click here to join the online meeting (registration is not required).

Since launching the digital platform in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the electronic process has resulted in quicker processing of the letters and more thorough and complete internal tracking. Due to continuing safety precautions within the agency, EPA is still unable to produce traditional, paper-based gold seal letters. Accordingly, registrants must continue to submit requests through the Pesticide Submission Portal.

For information on how to request a gold seal certificate letter, including information on how registrants should present the letters to the U.S. Department of State when authentication is needed for business purposes, please visit https://www.epa.gov/pria-fees/m006-pria-fee-category.

EPA Proposes Registration of Products Containing Purpureocillium lilacinum strain PL11, a New Microbial Active Ingredient

This original announcement was published by the EPA on June 3, 2021. Click here for more information.

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to register several biopesticide products containing Purpureocillium lilacinum strain PL11, a new microbial active ingredient that controls plant-parasitic nematodes.

These biopesticide products will be used on food crops (i.e., fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices) and non-food crops (i.e., cotton, tobacco and turf) in agricultural and commercial settings. Since some of these products are proposed for use on food crops, a tolerance exemption for pesticide residues will also be established.

EPA’s evaluation included a robust scientific assessment, which was used to conclude that these products, when used according to the label instructions, do not present any risks of concern to human health.

The proposed product labels contain language to address potential adverse effects to nontarget insects and nontarget aquatic invertebrates, including limiting application while bees and other insects are actively visiting the treatment area and instructing applicators to minimize spray drift to reduce exposure to these nontarget organisms.

EPA is accepting public comments on this proposal via docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2016-0079 at www.regulations.gov for 15 days.

EPA Releases Updated Occupational Pesticide Handler and Post-application Exposure Calculators

This original announcement was published by the EPA on May 26, 2021. Click here for more information.

 

EPA has updated the Occupational Pesticide Handler Exposure Calculator and Occupational Pesticide Post-application Exposure Calculator with the latest available data and sources to provide the agency with more efficiency in completing risk assessments and ensuring transparency to the public and affected stakeholders.

EPA uses these tools to carry out risk assessments to make informed decisions when approving new pesticides, new uses of registered pesticides, and during regular reviews of existing pesticides. The updated exposure values are more reflective of actual exposures to occupational pesticide handlers and post-application scenarios, which reduces uncertainty in decisions and serves as the basis for labeling decisions.

The calculators also help state and local governments, pesticide manufacturers, academics, and others evaluate the potential for health effects to a person who might be exposed to pesticides as part of their work. They provide exposure information for risk assessments based on exposure scenarios, exposure routes, and applicable personal protective equipment.

Updates to the occupational handler calculator include adding new handler exposure estimates from the Agricultural Handler Exposure Task Force (AHETF) that monitored dermal and inhalation exposure for workers using closed systems to load liquid and solid pesticides. The updated exposure values are based on a well-designed recruitment, monitoring, and data analysis efforts and will more accurately represent exposures to occupational pesticide handlers.

The occupational post-application calculator is updated to reflect contemporary agricultural practices and clarify crop-specific activities.

Learn more about the calculators and how EPA assesses pesticide risks on our website.

EPA Opens Application Period for Grants Dedicated to Sustainable Pest Control in Agriculture

This  original announcement was published by the EPA on May 26, 2021. Click here for more information.

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting applications for a $1 million dollar grant initiative through the Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP) that encourages smart, sensible, and sustainable pest control in agriculture. Through these grants, EPA will support projects that explore innovative practices, technologies, education, and non-regulatory solutions that adopt integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.

“PSEP grants provide states and Tribes with resources to implement sustainable pest management practices and potentially reduce the use of pesticides,” said Michal Freedhoff, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “The work done under these grants supports the agency’s goal of providing a cleaner and healthier environment for all Americans – including historically underserved communities whose residents are disproportionately impacted by unnecessary exposure to pests and pesticides.”

While traditional pest control involves the routine application of pesticides, IPM focuses on pest prevention and only using pesticides as needed. Less pesticide use and reduced use of the equipment needed for these applications may reduce greenhouse gas emissions that are fueling the climate crisis. IPM provides a more effective, environmentally sensitive approach that combines biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools to minimize risks associated with pests and pesticides.

EPA anticipates awarding approximately $1 million in total federal funding to support 10 projects – one from each EPA region. The agency is accepting applications from the 50 States, District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, any territory or possession of the United States, any agency or instrumentality of a State including State universities, and all Federally recognized Native American Tribes.

Interested groups can apply at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=333775. Applications must be submitted by July 9, 2021, to be considered. Awarded projects will start in the fourth quarter of 2021.

For more information about PESP grants, visit https://www.epa.gov/pesp/pesticide-environmental-stewardship-program-grants.

Background

PESP is guided by the principle that partnership programs complement the standards and decisions established by regulatory and registration actions. This partnership program has previously invested nearly $4 million annually to support more than 100 successful grants, awards, and collaborative efforts. These efforts have promoted IPM in agriculture, schools, integrated vegetation management on utility rights-of-ways, and shared information on tick management strategies and EPA region-specific projects on sustainable pest management practices.

Today, EPA partners with over 400 organizations through PESP and welcomes more organizations to share the commitment to environmental stewardship where we live, work, play, and farm.

EPA Accepting Public Comments on Nominees for the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel

This original announcement was published by the EPA on May 21, 2021. Click here for more information.

 

EPA is accepting public comments on nominations for membership on the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Scientific Advisory Panel (FIFRA SAP).

The agency anticipates selecting new members to serve on the panel to replace members whose terms will soon expire. Current members of the FIFRA SAP are also eligible for reappointment during this period. Therefore, the appointments completed over the next year may include a mix of newly appointed and reappointed members.

Public comments on the nominees should be submitted to docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2021-0293 on www.regulations.gov on or before June 21, 2021. These comments will be used to assist the agency in selecting the new members for the chartered panel. For additional information, please see the Federal Register notice, docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2021-0293, or contact Steven Knott, M.S., DFO, Office of Program Support, Environmental Protection Agency (202-564-0103 or knott.steven@epa.gov).

The FIFRA SAP serves as a primary scientific peer review mechanism of EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention and is structured to provide independent scientific advice and recommendations to EPA on health and safety issues related to pesticides.

National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW)

This original announcement was published by NISAW on May 14, 2021. Click here for more information. 

 

What is NISAW?

National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) is an international event to raise awareness about invasive species, the threat that they pose, and what can be done to prevent their spread.

Representatives from local, state, federal and regional organizations discuss legislation, policies and improvements that can be made to prevent and manage invasive species.

NISAW Part I focused on national and regional issues of importance. NAISMA held a series of virtual webinars Feb. 22-26 that reached more than 1,650 people.

NISAW Part II starts tomorrow with even more focus on state and local issues of significance. Partners are planning local events to remove invasives. These events are meant to educate elected officials, decision makers, and the public on how they can help to stop the spread of invasive species and protect communities.

Scroll down to learn how you can participate in a local event, join a free webinar and help spread the word!

→ LEARN MORE

EPA Launches New Electronic Confidential Statement of Formula Application

This original announcement was published by the EPA on May 12, 2021. Click here for more information.

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is launching an electronic Confidential Statement of Formula application (eCSF builder) to support pesticide registration applications. The new electronic tool is consistent with the agency’s desire to continuously improve and modernize internal processes and digital workflows.

To register a new pesticide product with EPA, companies must submit a Confidential Statement of Formula (CSF) application. The form lists all the product’s components and their percent by weight along with various additional information.

Currently, CSF applications must be submitted to EPA in hard copy. The new eCSF builder will automatically validate certain data in a CSF application prior to submission to EPA. This functionality, along with real-time validation of chemical ingredients through EPA’s Substance Registry Service, will make the pesticide registration process more efficient, saving EPA and registrants time and resources. While paper CSF forms remain available, EPA recommends submitting applications electronically as the review of paper applications could be a longer process.

Users can access the eCSF builder and provide feedback through the Central Data Exchange.

EPA Extends Respiratory Protection Flexibilities for Agricultural Pesticide Handlers During COVID-19

This original announcement was published by the EPA on May 7, 2021. Click here for more information!

 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is committed to protecting the health and safety of Americans, especially during the COVID-19 public health emergency. In June 2020, EPA issued temporary guidance regarding respiratory protection requirements for agricultural pesticide handlers that offers flexibility during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Due to the continued concerns regarding personal protective equipment shortages in the agricultural sector, EPA is extending the “annual fit test delay” to September 30, 2021 as part of the previously issued guidance on respiratory protection requirements for agricultural pesticide handlers. This revision is in alignment with Occupational Safety and Health Administration memos on respirators and addresses Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) requirements under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

The remainder of the June 2020 guidance remains in effect. EPA will assess the continued need for and scope of the temporary guidance on a regular basis. To read the amended guidance, visit https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/amended-statement-regarding-respiratory-protection-shortages-and-reduced-availability.

Attend EPA’s Webinar about the Experimental Use Permit for the Oxitec Genetically Engineered Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes

This original announcement was published by the EPA on April 30, 2021. Click here for more information.

 

On May 5, 2021, EPA will host a webinar for the public to learn about the approval of an experimental use permit (EUP) to allow Oxitec Ltd. to field test the use of genetically engineered Aedes aegypti mosquitoes as a way to reduce mosquito populations.

Like all pesticides, Oxitec’s mosquitoes, genetically engineered for population control, are regulated under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). To be approved for an EUP or registration under FIFRA, pesticides must be shown to not cause unreasonable adverse effects to humans or the environment. Data submitted by Oxitec have demonstrated that genetically engineered Aedes aegypti mosquitoes meet the FIFRA approval standard.

The EUP contains significant protections, including weekly monitoring and sampling of the mosquito population in the treatment areas, that also enabled the agency to determine the product meets the FIFRA safety standard. Additionally, it’s important to note that only adult male genetically engineered Aedes aegypti mosquitoes will be present in the environment and they do not bite people, further supporting EPA’s finding that the mosquitoes are not expected to present risks to human health. If an unforeseen event occurs, EPA has maintained the right to cancel the EUP at any point during the 24-month period.

Click here to register for the webinar.

EPA Updates Disinfectant Policy to Align with CDC Science

This original announcement was published by the EPA on April 29, 2021. Click here for more information.

 

In order to respond to the public’s needs over this past year of the pandemic, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has allowed for expedited review and approval of surface disinfectant products for use against SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, adding over 500 products to EPA’s list of disinfectants entitled List N. Over the course of the last year, EPA reacted to unprecedented circumstances by activating its Emerging Viral Pathogens guidance, minimizing disinfectants supply chain disruptions through regulatory flexibilities, releasing new and updated scientific protocols, and providing several pathways for expedited review.

Recent information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that the risk of being infected with COVID-19 by touching contaminated surfaces is considered low. Given this new information, EPA is no longer prioritizing Public Health Emergency requests for new products that address surface transmission of SARS-CoV-2. EPA will continue to follow the evolving science of the pandemic by shifting resources to the evaluation of novel products, such as those that kill airborne SARS-CoV-2, and to meeting critical deadlines in the registration and review of all pesticide products within its purview.  In addition, in light of the hundreds of EPA-registered products that are already available, EPA will no longer expedite new product registrations, emerging viral pathogen claims, SARS-CoV-2 claims, and electrostatic spraying directions for products intended to kill SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces.

Disinfectants continue to serve as one of many important tools in the fight against COVID-19 where needed. The agency will continue to review registration requests for new surface disinfectants for SARS-CoV-2 via the standard registrations process and associated deadlines required by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and will continue to update List N.

Learn more about the risk of surface transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

Learn about best practices for cleaning and disinfection.

Learn more about EPA’s Covid-19 response.