EPA proposes stricter restricted-use pesticide certification standards

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced a draft regulation on Wednesday that would put stricter limits on those certified to use “restricted-use” pesticides, with the goal of increased supervision and oversight and greater consistency across the states.

Restricted-use pesticides require special handling and are not available to the general public. Anyone who wants to use them must be a certified applicator or working under the direct supervision of one. The proposed regulation would further restrict the use to those 18 years or older, and make the standards for certification stricter. It also would require renewal every three years.

These revisions also would make it easier for companies that operate in several states, as the current system requires them to demonstrate safe usage of the pesticides to each state agency to garner state-specific licenses.

“We are committed to keeping our communities safe, protecting our environment, and protecting workers and their families,” EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Jim Jones said. “By improving training and certification, those who apply these restricted-use pesticides will have better knowledge and ability to use these pesticides safely.”