1. Federal Pesticide Laws
Chapter 2
National Pesticide Applicator Certification
Core Manual

2. Federal Pesticide Laws
This module will help you:
Understand key federal laws and regulations
Understand the importance of good record keeping
Pesticides are regulated at the federal level and it’s important you understand the primary federal laws and regulations that govern pesticide use and safety. You also need to understand that keeping records is both a good idea and required in many instances.

3. Federal Pesticide Laws…
are meant to protect public health and the environment
regulate registration, labeling, sales, distribution, transport., storage, application, disposal, food safety
The US Congress passes federal legislation in the House and Senate, and then the legislation is signed by the President. These are our federal laws and Congress has passed several laws that are meant to protect people and the environment from harm that pesticides can pose. There are several federal laws that protect human health and the environment by regulating pesticide registration labeling, sales, distribution, transportation, storage, application, disposal and food safety.

4. FIFRA Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, & Rodenticide Act
Enacted by U.S. Congress in 1947
Administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
FIFRA which is the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act is a federal law that was enacted by Congress in It has been amended many times. In the 1970’s the US Environmental Protection Agency was formed and given the responsibility of administering the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. FIFRA is the main federal pesticide law.

5. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Registers and licenses pesticides for use
Ensures both human and environmental health are evaluated
Precautions and restrictions put into place to prevent adverse effects
As provided by in FIFRA, EPA is responsible for both registering and licensing pesticides. This must occur prior to any pest control product reaching the market place. FIFRA ensures that both human health and environmental health are evaluated and that federal precautions and restrictions are put into place to ensure that no unreasonable adverse effects occur from legal pesticide use.

6. EPA: Important facts
The EPA can stop the sale or use of any pesticide at any time
Labeling and packaging must be consistent throughout the U.S.
State law can be more restrictive than federal law!
FIFRA gives EPA the authority to stop the sale or use of a product at any time. FIFRA requires that all labeling and packaging must be consistent through out the United States. FIFRA also allows for states to enact their own laws or rules that many times are more restrictive than FIFRA.

7. The EPA Approves pesticide labels as LEGAL documents
Reevaluates older pesticides under current standards
Violators are subject to penalties
The cornerstone of pesticide law is the label. EPA must follow FIFRA requirements and standards for pesticide evaluation and registration. EPA approves a pesticide label during the registration process. This label is a legal federal document or a legal federal law and it must be followed.
EPA is required to re-evaluate products that are already in the marketplace. This re-registration or reevaluation requires that older products meet current standards for pesticide registration.
Since FIFRA is a federal law, any violation of the law or any label violation is subject to federal penalties.

8. Pesticide Classification
General Use (or unclassified use):
normally lower toxicity
no special licenses or permits required
Restricted Use (RUP):
may cause adverse effects to human health or the environment
must be stated on the federal label
sold only to certified applicators
applied only by certified applicators or employees under their direct supervision
When EPA reviews the data from the manufacturer EPA scientists make an evaluation of the relative hazard of each product and classifies who can use or have access to them. Low hazard products are classified as either general use or unclassified. Either one of these terms indicates the products have lower toxicity and pose little threat to human health or the environment. Any person can purchase or use general use or unclassified products.
On the other hand, some products pose significant risks to human health or the environment. EPA restricts the use of these more hazardous pesticides. These are classified as Restricted Use Products. The federal restricted use statement is printed very clearly on the pesticide label.
Restricted use products may only be sold to and purchased by a certified applicator. Only the certified applicator or someone working under the certified applicator’s supervision can apply restricted use products.

9. Pesticide Classification
Different formulations containing the same active ingredient (Ai) may be classified differently.
For example:
An emulsifiable concentrate containing 70% Ai may be classified as Restricted Use
A granular product containing only 5% Ai may be classified as General Use or Unclassified
EPA evaluates more than just the active ingredient in a product to assess its concern for human health and the environment. Products with the same active ingredient may differ significantly in their hazard potential due to either the amount of active ingredient or some of the other ingredients added to the formulation. So you can’t just assume since one product was restricted use that all products with the same active ingredient are classified the same.

10. Pesticide Classification
General or Unclassified Use
Restricted Use
Remember, EPA requires all federally restricted use pesticides have a restricted use statement right on the pesticide label. Again, the restricted use ones, seen here on the right, are restricted due to concerns for human or animal health, or due to potential impacts on the environment.

11. Certified Applicators
are recognized by the state
as being competent to purchase and use
(or supervise the use of)
restricted use pesticides.
Certified Applicator
FIFRA requires that any person who purchases, applies, or supervises the use of a restricted use pesticide must have the appropriate state credential. A state credential may be a certificate or a license. This certified applicator credential indicates the person successfully demonstrated competency in label comprehension, basic principles of pesticide safety and application, and pest management.

12. Private Applicator
a certified applicator producing an agricultural commodity on owned, rented, or leased property or his employers agricultural property
At the federal level, FIFRA separates certified applicators into two groups. These are either private applicators or commercial applicators. In many instances states have expanded the scope and terminology for commercial applicators.
By federal definition, a private applicator is a certified applicator who produces an agricultural commodity on their owned, rented or leased property or is employed by an agricultural producer – produces and private property are the key words. Private applicators are typically owners or employees of farms, forests, nurseries and greenhouses.
States may have more restrictive categories for applicators and use different titles for certified applicators.
FIFRA Category – states may use different name!

13. Commercial Applicator
a certified applicator operating on any other private or public property
rights-of-way, hospitals
golf courses, aquatic sites
homes, businesses
The other federal group of certified applicators is the commercial applicator. This includes anyone who uses restricted use products for purposes other than production of an agricultural commodity on private or public property.
The certified Commercial Applicator group includes rights of way managers, aerial applicators, landscape managers, Pest Control professionals, public health professionals, seed treaters, and more. Many states have re-characterized the federal commercial applicator group into several different types of applicators.
Check with your state lead agency to find our what type of certification or license is required for where you work and the type of pest control you practice.
FIFRA Category – states may differ!

14. Certified Applicators
Only certified applicators or individuals under their direct supervision may mix, load, apply or direct the use of restricted use pesticides
Check to make sure direct supervision is allowed in your state
Only certified applicators, or someone working under their direction supervision, may purchase, mix, load, or apply a restricted use pesticide.
States differ in their definitions for direct supervision, so double check with your state lead agency regarding supervision.

15. Certified Applicators
Certification requires applicators to demonstrate broad-based knowledge and competency in understanding label language, pesticide use and handling.
In order to become a certified applicator, whether private or commercial, most states require someone to pass a pesticide exam or series of exams. The exams are intended to assess the competency of a person in how well they understand laws, labeling, safety precautions, use directions and safe handling and they also test skills in label comprehension and application principles.

16. Following Labels
Certified applicators MUST follow the label, unless exemptions for specific uses are listed
State and local laws may override these exemptions – check with state and local agencies first!
As mentioned a couple of minutes ago, the label is a legal document. Certified applicators must follow label instructions. However, FIFRA does allow a few exemptions from label compliance. Be very knowledgeable about your state laws and regulations as well, since state laws and rules may override some of the FIFRA exemptions.

17. Label “Rules of Thumb” The site must be stated on the label
The target pest does not need to be listed
Any application method may be used, unless prohibited by the label
Applications may be made at a rate less than that stated on the label, not more!
Tank mixtures are OK, unless the label says otherwise
The label is the law.
With no exception – the site of application must be clearly stated on the label. This is very specific in agricultural production, and a little more broadly interpreted in landscapes and rights of ways.
FIFRA does not require that the pest be listed on the label. There is no way that a pesticide manufacturer could test their product on every weed or bug out there. The pests that are listed are the ones the manufacturer knows their product controls.
FIFRA allows applicators to use alternate methods of application. So if the label only specifies ground rig application and is silent on aerial application, aerial is acceptable – unless the product label prohibits a certain method.
FIFRA allows users to apply a lower rate or a less concentrated spray mix.
Lastly, FIFRA allows users to tank mix to save time and application costs. You can tank mix unless the label prohibits tank mixing of certain pesticides. Labels prohibit tank mixing because manufacturers know the mixtures are incompatible. It the label is silent make sure the chemicals you’re mixing together are compatible.

18. State Pesticide Laws
State lead agencies enforce both federal and state pesticide laws
Commonly the Dept. of Agriculture or the environmental conservation agency
State law is often more restrictive than federal law
Applicators are responsible for knowing the law, even when it changes. Stay informed!
What I’ve been talking about is federal law. As you well know, states have additional laws and they’ll be discussed in another forum. A term we’ll use throughout this training is the state lead agency. Any state that allows pesticides to be used, must designate a state lead pesticide agency. This is the agency that administers the federal and state pesticide program. In many states it’s the state department of agriculture or an environmental conservation agency that’s the primary state regulating body.
States often implement their own laws and regulations that further restrict registrations, sales, application, and disposal.
Whether it’s a state or federal law or rule that changes or is added, it's the applicator’s responsibility to stay current and know about these changes.

19. Pesticide Registrations
Any product that claims to control, repel, attract, mitigate a pest
Standard – Section 3
Special Local Need – 24c
Emergency Exemption – section 18
Minimum Risk – no registration required
Experimental Use Permits
Let’s look at how EPA conducts pesticide registrations. Any product that claims to control, destroy, repel, attract, or otherwise mitigate a pest, must be registered by EPA before it can go into the channels of trade.
Most registrations follow the standard procedures for product review and labeling. A normal registration is known as a Section 3 registration. Once registered, the product is assigned an EPA registration number which can be found on the label.
Special local need, emergency exemption, minimum risk and experimental use are all processes that bypass some aspect of normal Section 3 registration screening and evaluation. Let’s look at each of these special provisions.

20. Special Provisions
Special Local Needs: provides states the authority to register an additional use of a federally registered pesticide to treat an existing or imminent pest problem
Certain situations warrant the need for a special local needs registration, also known as a 24(c) label or SLN.
Special local need, SLN, or 24c registrations add additional uses or pests onto an existing registered product.
SLN registrations are relied on for minor crops in agriculture. An SLN registration adds a supplemental label to the registration.

21. Special Provisions
Emergency Exemption: The use of a federally registered pesticide is granted when an emergency pest problem arises for which no pesticides are registered for that situation
An emergency exemption, which is also known as a section 18 label, does not frequently occur. Section 18s are granted when there is a sudden pest outbreak and there is no registered pesticide that works. After going through the appropriate approval channels, a non-registered product can be made available for a short period of time to take care of the impending emergency pest outbreak.

22. Special Provisions Minimum-Risk Pesticides
exempt from EPA review or label approval
Section 25b chemical list
Experimental Use Permits (EUPs)
allow field testing of new products
Minimum Risk
Minimum risk pesticides are actually exempt from registration since they pose minimal risk to human health and the environment. Both the active and inert ingredients of the product must be on EPA’s Section 25b list of minimal-risk chemicals. If the chemicals meet the Section 25b exemption from registration, EPA does not screen or evaluate these products and does not approve their labels. This group consists of products that pose very little risk.

23. Pest Control Devices
Device: any instrument for trapping, destroying, repelling, or mitigating a pest (even a black light trap)
The EPA requires the registration of all firms and organizations that produce devices
Other than regulating actual pesticide products, EPA requires that producer establishments of pest control devices be registered. Devices are any manufactured item that traps, destroys, repels or mitigates a pest. Devices are subject to certain labeling, packaging, and recordkeeping requirements.

24. Pesticide Reregistration
EPA reviews older pesticides every 15 years
Products must meet safety standards according to the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996
All products are screened for all routes of exposure in determining safe levels of residues in food
After a product is registered the first time, it undergoes a re-evaluation or re-registration every fifteen years. This brings all products up to date for standards that changed since initial registration. Today, products that go through re-registration must meet the standards set forth in the FQPA or Food Quality Protection Act of FQPA requires that all products are screened for all routes of exposure when determining safe levels of residues in food.

25. Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA)
establishes food residue tolerances only when there is “reasonable certainty” of no harm
considers cumulative exposures
considers greater risks to infants and children
mandates the review of older pesticides under new standards – every 15 years
mandates testing for endocrine disruption
linked to sexual, behavioral, developmental, reproductive problems
FQPA or the Food Quality Protection Act is another federal law that was passed by the US Congress. It added several new standards that must be met by manufacturers during the registration or reregistration process. Products must have their residue tolerance limits set at levels where there is reasonable certainty of no harm. When evaluating exposures, the risk assessment process must consider cumulative exposures of related pesticides and account for greater risks in infants and children. FQPA mandates older products be reviewed to ensure they meet the new standards. Now they must be reviewed every 15 years. And, FQPA mandates testing for endocrine disruption that is linked to sexual, behavioral, developmental and reproductive problems.

26. Residues & Tolerances EPA regulates residues and tolerances
Residue: the amount of pesticide that remains on food or feed at time of harvest
Tolerance: the maximum legal amount of residue that is allowed to remain on or in treated crops or animals that’s sold for food or feed
I mentioned that FQPA mandates safe tolerance levels for food and feed. Let’s review what a residue is and what a tolerance is.
Residue is simply the amount of pesticide that remains on food or feed at the time of harvest. Food and feed crops can have residues present. The tolerance is the maximum legal amount of residue that can remain on or in treated crops or animals sold for food or feed. By using risk assessments, EPA calculates a tolerance -> the legal residue limit that is allowed to remain on the crop or feed at harvest.
For example a tolerance of 5 ppm or 0.1 ppm. The tolerance varies between active ingredients and between commodities or feed crops.

27. Setting Pesticide Tolerances
EPA review
EPA considers
Toxicity of pesticide and its breakdown products
Amount and frequency of application
Amount of pesticide remaining on food at time of market or processing
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) information on eating habits
EPA is the agency that sets the tolerance. In order to set the tolerance limit, EPA uses a risk assessment accounting for toxicity, breakdown products, application rate and frequency, degradation processes and time and the amount of pesticide remaining on the food or feed when it's harvested or processed. Another important factor considered is the eating habits of people in the US. Apples would typically have a lower tolerance limit, say 1 ppm when compared to grapefruit, say 10 ppm since people, especially children eat more apples than grapefruit and grapefruit are almost always peeled.

28. Pesticide Tolerances
Residues at harvest pose “reasonable certainty of no harm” when applied according to label directions
Tolerances also apply to imported food
Goal:
Safe food supply
The bottom line is that when applicators follow the label use directions, residues will not exceed the tolerance set by EPA and citizens of the United States can be confident that our food supply is safe. When we import produce and other foods into this country, they must meet the same tolerance standards.

29. Who enforces pesticide tolerances?
Food & Drug Administration (FDA) monitors residues on food and feed (domestically, imports and exports)
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) monitors meat and milk
State agencies also conduct enforcement
So, EPA sets the tolerance. Two other federal agencies are responsible for monitoring our food supply and enforcing tolerances. The Food and Drug Administration or FDA monitors food and feed, and the USDA or US Dept. of Agriculture monitors meet and milk supplies. Each state also has an agency that is responsible for enforcing tolerances on food, feed, meat, and milk.

30. How does a pesticide applicator meet tolerance levels?
Tolerances well within limits if label followed
Apply only to crops listed on the label – no deviation!
Follow application rates!
Wait until the preharvest interval (PHI) has passed: the number of days from application until harvest or slaughter
Our food supply remains unquestionably safe when pesticides are appropriately applied to food or feed crops for which they are labeled. If an applicator applies a pesticide to a crop not listed on the label, there is a good chance that crop does not have a tolerance set. When an illegal residue is found and reported, confidence in the safety of our food supply is at serious risk. Again, make sure you don’t exceed the rate of application or the frequency of applications. The last protection in place on the label to protect our food supply is the pre-harvest interval. The preharvest interval is a stated time period that must pass after an application is made and before the crop can be harvested or the animals slaughtered. The preharvest interval allows a specified time so that residues can degrade below the tolerance. The preharvest interval is listed on the label in the directions for use section and is crop specific.

31. Violations of Federal Law:
Violation: Distributing, selling, or delivering an unregistered pesticide
Violation: Advertising not in accordance with the label specifications
Violation: Selling a registered product if its content does not conform with the label information
Lets look at some of the more common violations of FIFRA.
It's a violation of federal law to distribute, sell or deliver a pesticide that has not been registered by EPA, unless it's one of those few minimum risk products that is exempt from registration requirements. After the anthrax scare, a couple of companies were selling product they claimed would kill anthrax. Since their products were not registered as pesticides the manufacturers were in violation of FIFRA and EPA took action.
FIFRA also requires that advertising be within accordance with the pesticide label.
FIFRA requires that the contents of a registered product conform with its product label.

32. Violations of Federal Law:
Violation: Selling adulterated or misbranded pesticide
Violation: Detaching, altering, or defacing a container or label
Violation: Forbidding EPA inspections
Violation: Making a guarantee or recommendation that does not conform to the label
Violation: Inaccurate record keeping
Keep accurate records!
It's illegal to sell an adulterated or misbranded pesticide. It's also illegal to detach, alter, or deface a container or its label. FIFRA requires that any applicator be willing to have EPA conduct an inspection at any time and it’s a violation of FIFRA to forbid access to a compliance officer who has requested to perform an inspection.
FIFRA also requires than any pesticide recommendation or guarantee conform to label directions.
EPA and USDA have federal laws that stipulate recordkeeping requirements. Inaccurate records are a common violation.

33. Violations of Federal Law:
Violation: Making a restricted-use pesticide available to a non-certified applicator
Violation: Advertising a restricted use pesticide without telling the audience
Violation: Using a pesticide in any manner inconsistent with its label!
Is he
certified?
It’s a FIFRA violation when a distributor sells a restricted use product to a person who is not a certified applicator. Another odd one is that manufacturers or distributors can not advertise use of restricted use pesticides without telling the audience they are restricted.
Boy this last one is the biggie! It's a violation of federal law to use a pesticide in any manner inconsistent with its label – says so right on the label. This is the one violation that is used during most enforcement activities against applicators. Usually if an applicator has one violation, they typically have several violations of label directions associated with the initial misdeed.

34. Penalties for FIFRA Violations
Civil Penalties
Private Applicators: 1st time, warning; other offenses, up to $1000
Most applicators and dealer managers: up to $5,000 per offense
Size of operation, impact and gravity of violation all considered in deciding the penalty amount
Criminal Penalties
Misdemeanor
Private Applicators: up to $1000 and/or 30 days in prison
Commercial Applicators: up to $25,000 and/or up to 1 year in prison
Producers: up to $50,000 and/or up to 1 year in prison
Violation of FIFRA can be either civil or criminal. Civil penalties for private applicators can be up to $1,000 and for commercial applicators or dealers up to $5,000. I want to point out that when a violation is found, it usually results in finding several violations. Criminal penalties range from up to $1,000 for private applications, $25,000 for commercial applicators and $50,000 for producers. Jail time can also be added to the penalty. There are people in jail today as a result of gross negligent violations of pesticide sales or use.

35. THE LABEL IS THE LAW!
So remember the label is the law, whether the product is for home and garden use or for professional use.

36. Federal Laws to Know
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
governs pesticide registration, sales, application, and disposal
Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA)
sets tougher standards for pesticides used on food
Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act (FFDCA)
governs pesticide tolerances
So we’ve already mentioned two major federal laws that affect pesticides. FIFRA governs the pesticide registration, sales, application and disposal. FQPA sets tougher standards for pesticides used on food. Another sister regulation that governs pesticide tolerances is the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetics Act.

37. The Worker Protection Standard (WPS - agriculture only)
Employers must provide protections against possible harm from pesticides
Reduces pesticide risks to:
agricultural workers
pesticide handlers
Applies to owners and operators who apply pesticides on agricultural lands, as well as consultants
A major piece of legislation passed by the US Congress that affects agriculture only is the Worker Protection Standard or WPS. If you work in or on a farm, forest, nursery or greenhouse, you may have to comply with this law. The law requires employers to protect agricultural employees from pesticide exposures. The Worker Protection Standard reduces pesticide risks to two different groups of employees on farms, forests, nurseries or greenhouses. It protects agricultural workers who work in areas where pesticides are used, but are not directly exposed by handling pesticides. The other employee group that is affected by this law is the pesticide handlers who either handle pesticides in their jobs or handle contaminated equipment and have exposure concerns. This law does not just affect the farm, nursery, forest, or greenhouse owners and managers, but also agricultural commercial applicators and consultants as well.

38. The Endangered Species Act
Administered by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Must not harm endangered or threatened species or their habitat
it's illegal to kill, harm or collect endangered or threatened fish, plants, or wildlife
EPA must ensure pesticide use will not harm endangered and threatened species
golden paintbrush
WA DOT
The Endangered Species Act was passed by Congress and is largely administered by the US Fish and Wildlife service. The intent of the Endangered Species Act is to protect threatened and endangered species as well as to protect the habitat in which they live. This Act makes it illegal to kill, harm, or collect endangered or threatened species, whether they be fish, insects, mollusks, reptiles, plants, mammals, or amphibians. When EPA registers a product they must ensure that the label provides sufficient precautions to protect endangered or threatened species.

39. Endangered Species Protection Program
Administered by state lead agencies and the EPA
Labels direct applicators to consult a county bulletin to check for special restrictions
As with many federal programs, they are jointly administered by the federal agency and a state agency. Awareness about the concerns for endangered species are found on pesticide labels. The label may refer the applicator to a county bulletin that lists use restrictions in affected areas.

40. Endangered Species Protection Program
Must ensure pesticide use does not harm the threatened or endangered species or their habitat
Precautionary measures may include buffer strips, reduced application rates, timing restrictions and prohibited use in specific areas
Jerry Stein, NDOW
Again, the primary focus of the Endangered Species Act is to make sure that a pesticide, when applied according to label directions, does not harm threatened or endangered species or their habitat. County bulletins may include several different mitigation measures to provide protection for sensitive species. Precautionary measures may include buffer strips, reduced application rates, specific timing restrictions or in some instances prohibited use.

41. Keeping Records
EPA administers federal laws for commercial applicators
USDA enforces federal laws for private applicators
State and local governments may have more strict requirements
Recordkeeping is required by EPA for commercial applicators and by USDA for private applicators. Many states have additional recordkeeping requirements.

42. Keeping Records is Smart
Meet state and federal requirements
Document professionalism, which can protect you in a lawsuit
Evaluate the effectiveness of treatments
Help time purchases efficiently to increase profits and avoid costly disposal problems.
Provide information in medical emergencies
Contribute to data that play a key role in documenting the benefits of pesticides
Recordkeeping is a smart thing to do and it’s worth your investment of time. Other than being a state or federal requirement, recordkeeping is the best way to document your professionalism. If you’re like me you can’t remember what you had for dinner three nights ago, so how in the world could you remember what you did with an application 2 weeks ago let alone 2 months or 2 years ago. If you ever get put in front of a judge, having detailed records clearly demonstrates the quality and care of your work, let alone being able to easily reconstruct what occurred. Also, it's good business sense to evaluate your records for effectiveness of past treatments. Reviewing quality records can assist with future efficiencies and economics.
Another benefit is that when a medical emergency occurs, you can easily access the data.
Today, with the demand for sound science and good data, records play a key role in documenting the benefits of pesticides and provides real data.

43. Training Records
Keep records of pesticide training for your employees!
Not required, but they do verify that employees received adequate training
Keep names, ID numbers, signatures, dates, copies of training materials
Safety and pesticide training is required by state and federal laws. Keep records of the dates that employees participated in training forums. Again, documentation demonstrates carefulness, thoroughness, and professionalism. It might be a good idea to use ID numbers and get signatures from trainees and keep copies of training supplies.

44. Summary Federal regulations protect human health and the environment
Applicators are responsible for knowing and complying with the law
State and local pesticide laws are often more restrictive!
State registrations and distribution
Certification and licensing
Federal pesticide laws are enacted to protect human health and the environment.
Applicators are responsible for knowing and complying with the law.
States and local jurisdictions can enact their own laws and rules that further restrict registrations, sales, and uses of pesticides. Typically states have more restrictions on registration, distribution, certification and licensing.

45. Summary
The EPA sets pesticide tolerances after conducting numerous studies
The Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) requires that EPA consider cumulative exposures and increased risks for infants and children
The FDA and USDA enforce pesticide tolerances on food and feed
To ensure a safe food supply in this country, EPA sets the pesticide tolerance after conducting risk assessments. The Food Quality Protection ACT requires that EPA consider cumulative exposures and increased risks for infants and children.
FDA and USDA enforce pesticide tolerances on food and feed.

46. Summary
The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) protects agricultural employees, and mandates pesticide safety training
The Endangered Species Act protects endangered and threatened species and their habitats from adverse effects of pesticides
Applicators must keep adequate records according to requirements established by the federal and state agencies
The Worker Protection Standard protects agricultural employees from pesticide exposures.
The Endangered Species Act protects endangered and threatened species and their habitats from the adverse affects of pesticides.
Private and commercial applicators must keep adequate application records.

47. Remember Follow the label– it’s the law!
It's the responsibility of applicators to know the laws affecting their work
By complying with the law, applicators avoid costly penalties and ensure safe, effective pesticide use
The label is the law. Any violation of the label is a violation of federal law and can result in civil or criminal penalties.
It's the applicator’s responsibility to know the laws and stay current with changes to laws and regulations.
Pesticides can be used safely and effectively by complying with laws and by understanding and following label directions.

48. Q1. Which federal agency sets pesticide tolerances?
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Question 1. Which federal agency sets pesticide tolerances?
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
US Dept. of Agriculture (USDA)
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Answer is A. US EPA sets the tolerance.
USDA tests the market place for meat and milk and FDA tests the market place for food and feed.

49. Q2. Who can legally purchase a restricted use herbicide. 1
Q2. Who can legally purchase a restricted use herbicide? 1. certified private applicator 2. certified commercial applicator farmer 4. government employee
Question 2. Who can legally purchase a restricted use herbicide?
1. certified private applicator 2. certified commercial applicator farmer 4. government employee
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 3 and 4 only
Answer – B. certified private applicators and certified commercial applicators are the only people with the proper credentials to purchase EPA or state restricted use pesticides. Don’t forget an herbicide is one type of pesticide.
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 3 and 4 only

50. Commercial turf and landscape applicators Commercial seed treaters
Q3. The Worker Protection Standard affects which groups who apply pesticides?
Private applicators
Commercial turf and landscape applicators
Commercial seed treaters
Commercial rights of way applicators
Question 3. The Worker Protection Standard affects which groups who apply pesticides?
Private applicators
Commercial turf and landscape applicators
Commercial seed treaters
Commercial rights of way applicators
Answer – A. Private applicators who work in agriculture, forests, nurseries or greenhouses.

51. Acknowledgements
Washington State University Urban IPM and Pesticide Safety Education Program authored this presentation
Illustrations were provided by Nevada Dept. of Agriculture, University of Missouri-Lincoln, Virginia Tech., Washington Dept. of Agriculture, Washington State University
This presentation was authored by Becky Hines, Carol Ramsay, Carrie Foss, and Brett Johnson of Washington State University Urban IPM and Pesticide Safety Education.
In addition to sources noted on the image, graphics were provided by the following sources: Nevada Dept. of Agriculture, University of Missouri-Lincoln, Virginia Tech., Washington Dept. of Agriculture, and Washington State University

52. Acknowledgements
Presentation was reviewed by Beth Long, University of Tennessee; Ed Crow, Maryland Dept. of Agriculture; Jeanne Kasai, U.S. EPA; and Susan Whitney King, University of Delaware
Narration was provided by Drex Rhoades, Washington State University Information Department
The presentation material was reviewed by Beth Long, University of Tennessee; Ed Crow, Maryland Dept. of Agriculture; Jeanne Kasai, US EPA; and Susan Whitney King, University of Delaware.
Narration was provided by Drex Rhoades, Washington State University Information Department.

53. Support for this project was made possible through EPA Office of Pesticide Program cooperative agreements with the Council for Agricultural, Science and Technology, and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Research Foundation. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views and policies of the EPA.