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PA EPA ISSUES NEW GUIDELINES FOR EXPEDITED REVIEW OF REDUCED-RISK PESTICIDES
Release Date: 09/19/97
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FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1997
EPA ISSUES NEW GUIDELINES FOR EXPEDITED
REVIEW OF REDUCED-RISK PESTICIDES
EPA has issued a Pesticide Registration Notice (PR 97-3) to pesticide manufacturers and registrants with new guidelines for applying to the Agency for expedited review and approval of reduced-risk pesticides --those which result in reduced risks to human health and the environment compared to existing alternatives. The major advantage to the registrant of a reduced-risk pesticide is the review priority given to these products by the Agency. The average time needed by the Agency to review and register a conventional pesticide in the l994-95 time frame was about 38 months; for reduced-risk pesticides, the average time was
about 14 months, thus providing a distinct advantage in the marketplace. With the advent of the l996 Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), new safety requirements and a more comprehensive process for regulating pesticides used on food have been established. While these additional safety requirements may increase the time it takes to review and approve all applications, the Agency intends to expedite the overall process for reduced-risk candidates. EPA established the reduced-risk program in l992 as a voluntary initiative with the goal of encouraging the development of lower-risk pesticides. Since that time, EPA has received 39 new chemical submissions for reduced-risk registrations; l4 have been registered; 16 rejected; eight are pending registration. Renewed impetus was given to the reduced-risk initiative by FQPA, which requires EPA to establish an expedited review process for pesticides that may reasonably be expected to lower risks to human health and non-target organisms, to surface and groundwater or other valued environmental resources, as well as broaden the adoption of pest management strategies. The PR-97-3 notice covers both new active ingredients and amended registrations of conventional pesticides. Biological pesticides, while included under the guidelines, are generally considered to be less toxic and posing lower risks than conventional pesticides. In late l994, EPA set up a new division to regulate these products with the express goal of accelerating the review of applications for the registration of biological pesticides. Since formed, the new division has registered 37 new biological active ingredients, with an average turn around of less than 11 months from the time applications were received. Antimicrobial pesticides are not a part of this notice because the FQPA established distinct time frames for EPA’s review and registration of these products. Reporters can obtain copies of PR-97-3 from Al Heier at 202-260-4374. Others should call the Communication Services Branch in the Office of Pesticide Programs at 703-305-5017.
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