Data from many tests are required by the EPA to register a pesticide for sale or distribution. Studies are generated by the applicant and, in some cases, pulled from open literature. All data must meet certain quality standards. Once submitted, data are used to complete different types of risk assessments. Results are used to write label language and add restrictions, if necessary.

Data must be submitted to answer each of the following questions:

Product Chemistry

What are the basic chemical characteristics of the pesticide?

These data are helpful for choosing storage methods or testing residues in foods and the environment. EPA collects the product formula and other details like boiling point and flammability.

Product Performance

Is the pesticide effective against the pest it claims to control?

Data must show that a product will work on a pest. If a product claims to work against a pest that is a public health pest, extra data are needed.

Hazard to Humans and Domestic Animals

How toxic is it? What is the potential for health effects?

Toxicity studies measure the hazards to people and domestic animals. Tests include oral, skin, eye, and breathing exposures over the short and long term.

Hazard to Nontarget Organisms

Will applications of the pesticide put birds, fish, wildlife, or plants at risk?

>Data must be submitted to the EPA that evaluates the risks to nontarget wildlife or plants from use of the pesticide. Both short- and long-term studies are required.

Post-Application Exposure

How much exposure will farm workers have who enter the area after a pesticide treatment?

Data may include the breakdown time of a pesticide and be use-specific. For example, tests may measure the transfer of pesticides from a treated surface onto skin.

Applicator/User Exposure

How much exposure will people have who are using the pesticide?

EPA looks at exposure studies to assess risks to pesticide users.

Spray Drift Evaluation

Is the pesticide likely to drift?

Studies test what size of spray droplets are needed to minimize pesticide drift.

Environmental Fate

What happens to the pesticide in the environment?

Data must show how fast a pesticide will break down and the potential for movement in soils or water. These data help measure risks to water quality and non-target wildlife or plants.

Residue Chemistry

How much pesticide residue is left on a crop after the pesticide is used according to label directions?

Residue data are used to write pesticide labels that specify how a pesticide can be applied to a crop. It is also used to set and enforce residue limits on crops.

Additional Resources:

• Data Requirements for Pesticide Registrations - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Pesticide Registration Manual - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Guidance on Efficacy Testing for Pesticides - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Guidance for Reporting on the Environmental Fate in Problem Formulations - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Health Effects Test Guidelines - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Fee Determination Decision Tree - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

If you have questions about this, or any pesticide-related topic, please call NPIC at 800-858-7378 (8:00am - 12:00pm PST), or email at npic@ace.orst.edu.