Pesticides; Data Requirement for Conventional Chemicals

EPA proposes to update and revise its data requirements for the registration of conventional pesticide products. These data requirements and those already codified in part 158 of title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), are intended to provide EPA with data and other information necessary for the registration of a conventional pesticide chemical. Since the data requirements in part 158 were first codified in 1984, information needed to support the registration of a pesticide chemical has evolved as the general scientific understanding of the potential hazards posed by pesticides has grown. Over the years, updated data requirements were developed by EPA using a process that involved public participation and extensive involvement by the scientific community, including peer review by the FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP). Most of the data requirements contained in this proposal have been applied on a case-by-case basis to support individual applications, or imposed via Data Call-In (DCI) on all registrants of similar products. Although the data requirements imposed have progressed as scientific understanding and concerns have evolved, the codified data requirements have not been updated to keep pace. This proposal involves changes to the codified data requirements that pertain to product chemistry, toxicology, residue chemistry, applicator exposure, post-application exposure, nontarget terrestrial and aquatic organisms, nontarget plant protection, and environmental fate. Coupled with updating data requirements, EPA proposes to add a few new studies, reformat the requirements, and revise its general procedures and policies associated with data submission. By codifying existing data requirements which are currently applied on a case-by- case basis, the pesticide industry, along with other partners in the regulated community, attain a better understanding and are better prepared for the pesticide registration process. This proposed rule does not apply to the data requirements for the registration of antimicrobial pesticide products; inert ingredients for pesticide products; spray drift, product performance (efficacy); or biochemical, and microbial pesticides.