Which law covers the registration and use of pesticides in the United States?

The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) is the primary law that governs the registration, distribution, sale, and use of pesticides in the United States. This legislation requires all pesticides to be registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) before they can be sold or used. The registration process ensures that products meet safety and efficacy standards, and it allows the EPA to evaluate the potential risks associated with pesticide use to both human health and the environment.

FIFRA established a framework for pesticide regulation that includes guidelines for labeling, permissible usage, and the standards for data submission to support registration. This law plays a critical role in ensuring that pesticides do not pose unacceptable risks when used according to label directions, fostering safety for users, consumers, and the environment.

Other laws mentioned, such as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Clean Air Act, focus on different aspects of environmental protection—water and air quality, respectively. The Pesticide Registration Improvement Act, while related to FIFRA, serves to enhance the efficiency of the pesticide registration process but does not itself govern pesticide use. Thus, FIFRA is the foundational legislation that provides the primary framework for pesticide regulation in the U.S.