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PA MINOR MODIFICATION OF PESTICIDE REGISTRATIONS

Release Date: 06/21/96
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PA MINOR MODIFICATION OF PESTICIDE REGISTRATIONS

FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 1996

EPA ISSUES FINAL RULE STREAMLINING PROCEDURES FOR MINOR MODIFICATION OF PESTICIDE REGISTRATIONS

EPA has issued a final rule streamlining procedures for minor modifications of pesticide registrations. The rule represents another of EPA's regulatory reinvention initiatives, designed to increase efficiency and productivity while maintaining needed health and environmental safeguards. The Agency estimates that l5 percent of the 5,000 pesticide registrations amendments made each year may now be accomplished by streamlined procedures. The changes to the procedures will not have an adverse effect on human health or the environment, but will allow EPA to focus attention on higher priority health and environmental risks, by reducing the time spent on reviewing minor registration changes. The final rule does not specify registration modifications that may be accomplished through streamlined procedures. In a May l995 (PR notice 95-2), EPA spelled out the types of labeling and product chemistry amendments which may be made by simply notifying the Agency, and those that may be made without notifying EPA. Companies using the notification process must sign a certification statement that the changes are in compliance with all EPA requirements. In addition, EPA has accelerated its review time for other types of minor formulation amendments from 90 to 45 days. The final rule goes into effect 60 days after publi-cation in the Federal Register, which is expected within l0 days. At the same time, EPA is providing a 30-day comment period on the rule to provide those who may have missed the May l995 notice. Comments should be sent to: Office of Pesticide Programs Docket (7506C), U.S. EPA, 40l M St. S.W., Washington, D.C. 20460.