EPA seeks public comment on draft guidance allowing researchers to forego chemical testing on animal skin
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Agency (EPA) announced that, in a continuing effort to reduce animal testing, the Agency is soliciting public input on draft guidance that would permit researchers to waive toxicity tests on animal skin in certain circumstances.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
Visit with SciReg, Inc. at the BPIA 2020 Annual Meeting and Symposium
SciReg, Inc. looks forward to seeing you at the upcoming BPIA 2020 Annual Meeting and Symposium in Portland, Oregon, March 2-4, 2020. To arrange a meeting with a SciReg representative at BPIA, please click here, or call (703) 494-6500.
Visit with SciReg, Inc. at the Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting in Basel, Switzerland
Jim Damico, President, and Terri Spanogle, Senior Regulatory Specialist, SciReg, Inc., look forward to seeing you at the upcoming 2019 Annual Biocontrol Industry Meeting (ABIM) in Basel, Switzerland, October 21-23, 2019. To arrange a meeting with Jim and/or Terri while at ABIM, please click here, or call (703) 494-6500.
Visit with us at the 35th Society of Quality Assurance Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia
SciReg will be attending the upcoming 35th Society of Quality Assurance (SQA) Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia April 29 – May 3, 2019. If you would like to arrange a meeting with a SciReg representative in Atlanta, please click here, or call telephone number (703) 494-6500.
EPA releases draft guidance for plant regulator label claims (including plant biostimulants)
On March 27, 2019, EPA announced the availability of the long-awaited draft guidance document for plant regulator and plant biostimulant claims. The draft guidance, entitled “Guidance for Plant Regulator Label Claims, Including Plant Biostimulants,” is open for comment until May 28, 2019.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The draft guidance document can be found here.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
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).
Visit with us at the BPIA 2019 Annual Meeting and Symposium
SciReg, Inc., will be attending the upcoming BPIA 2019 Annual Meeting and Symposium in Portland, Oregon from March 11-13, 2019. If you would like to arrange a meeting with a SciReg representative in Portland, please click here, or call telephone number (703) 494-6500.
PRIA 3 extended
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.
Plant biostimulant language in 2018 U.S. Farm Bill
The 2018 Farm Bill was signed into law on December 20, 2018. The new law contains the first statutory language regarding plant biostimulants in the United States and includes a description of such products: “a substance or micro-organism that, when applied to seeds, plants, or the rhizosphere, stimulates natural processes to enhance or benefit nutrient uptake, nutrient efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress, or crop quality and yield.” This description is largely consistent with the plant biostimulant definition currently being pursued in the European Union.
The Farm Bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator, states, and relevant stakeholders, to provide, by December 20, 2019, a report to Congress that “identifies any potential regulatory, non-regulatory, and legislative recommendations to ensure the efficient and appropriate review, approval, uniform national labeling, and availability of plant biostimulant products to agricultural producers.” The definition of a plant biostimulant may also be modified during this process.
Extension to deadline for paying EPA annual pesticide registration maintenance fees
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