EPA Extends Emerging Viral Pathogens Guidance for COVID-19
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On November 19, 2021, EPA announced that, with the ongoing public health concerns of COVID-19, the Agency is indefinitely extending its current Emerging Viral Pathogens (EVP) policy for SARS-CoV-2.  What this means for product registrants is that EPA will now provide at least a six month notice before inactivating any existing EVP guidance for SARS-CoV-2 to allow companies ample time to modify their product marketing literature.  For more information, click here

EPA releases revised test guidelines for pesticides used against invertebrate pests
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On January 19, 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency made final efficacy test guidelines available for pesticides used to control fire ants and invertebrate pests of pets. These revised guidelines provide more detailed testing method and statistical analyses recommendations, as well as test designs for newer product types.

For more information on EPA’s pesticide test guidelines, click here

EPA releases draft guidance to obtain “long-lasting” and “residual” effectiveness claims for antimicrobial products
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On October 14, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released draft guidance that specifies efficacy testing requirements for supplemental residual antimicrobial products and residual disinfectants, the latter including products with claims against SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.  For more information on EPA’s draft guidance, click here

EPA seeks public comment on draft guidance allowing researchers to forego chemical testing on animal skin
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On October 7, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that, in a continuing effort to reduce animal testing, the Agency is soliciting public input on draft guidance that would permit researchers to waive toxicity tests on animal skin in certain circumstances.

For more information on EPA’s proposed guidance, click here

EPA releases draft guidance for plant regulator label claims (including plant biostimulants)
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On March 27, 2019, EPA announced the availability of the long-awaited draft guidance document for plant regulator and plant biostimulant claims.  The draft guidance, entitled “Guidance for Plant Regulator Label Claims, Including Plant Biostimulants,” is open for comment until May 28, 2019.

The document is intended to provide clarity with regard to label statements considered to be plant regulator claims and, therefore, subject to regulation as a pesticide.  Additionally, it provides useful information for producers of plant biostimulant products of the types of claims EPA has determined will not be subject to registration at the federal level.

The draft guidance document can be found here.

PRIA 4 enacted into law
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On Friday, March 8, 2019, the Pesticide Registration Improvement Extension Act of 2018 (PRIA 4) was signed into law.  This new legislation reauthorizes PRIA for five years through fiscal year 2023, and updates the fee collection provisions of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).  This legislation also reflects changes to some registration fee categories and timeframes, and preserves some fee waivers for small businesses.  PRIA 4 is effective as of the date of signature (March 8, 2019).

PRIA 3 extended
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A Continuing Resolution was signed on January 25, 2019 to further extend PRIA 3 through February 15, 2019.  As a result, EPA has the authority to collect maintenance fees (as specified in PRIA 3), and PRIA Registration Service fees at the fiscal year 2017 levels through February 15, 2019.

Extension to deadline for paying EPA annual pesticide registration maintenance fees
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Due to EPA’s late mailing of the 2019 annual pesticide registration maintenance fee information, and the U.S. Government shutdown, EPA has extended the deadline to submit maintenance fees and appropriate registration renewal forms.  The original deadline was January 15, 2019.  The new deadline is February 15, 2019

Expiration of PRIA 3
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UPDATE: see January 30, 2019 posting above regarding the extension of PRIA 3.

Because the US Congress did not include reauthorization of the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA) in the recently-passed Farm Bill, PRIA 3 expired on December 21, 2018.  In accordance with the phase-out provisions described in FIFRA Section 33(m)(2)(B), registration service fees for new applications received after December 21, 2018 will be reduced by 70% from the fiscal year 2017 levels.  In addition and unfortunately, such applications will not be subject to the decision review time frames specified in PRIA 3.

EPA operations are currently on hold due to the US government shutdown.  Pending change in EPA’s operational status, applications received after December 21, 2018 will be subject to these new provisions, and applications received on or prior to December 21, 2018, will continue to be reviewed under the decision time frames specified in PRIA 3.

EPA notice regarding receipt of submittals during the US government shutdown
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EPA has announced that, due to the US government shutdown, any electronic submissions to the Pesticide Submission Portal after December 28, 2018, will not be considered received or processed until after the EPA’s operational work status resumes.