All pesticides being sold or distributed in the United States must first be registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), unless they qualify for an exemption. Unless exempted by the states, pesticide products are also registered for sale and distribution by the state pesticide regulatory offices. The registration process involves evaluation of the pesticide chemicals, usage and labeling to ensure the pesticide will not have unreasonable adverse effects on humans or the environment.

If you would like to register a pesticide product for sale, consider these tips:

• Is your product really a "pesticide?" Repellents, herbicides and baits are often included.
• Is the active ingredient new? Try searching this database, or call NPIC for assistance at 1-800-858-7378.
• What if the ingredients are food-based, or non-toxic? There is a very specific exemption to learn about here.
• There are four different offices within the EPA for registering conventional chemicals, biopesticides, antimicrobial chemicals and inerts.
• The Pesticide Registration Manual (Blue Book) is the official registration manual for companies and individuals with new products.
• For new active ingredients, use this Decision Tree to determine the fee and time-line for registration actions.

Additional Resources:

• Registering Pesticides - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Pesticide Registration Manual (Blue Book) - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Pesticide Registration Contacts - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Pesticide Registration Fee Determination Decision Tree - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Environmental Test Methods and Guidelines - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• NPIRS Pesticide Product Information System Databases - Purdue University
• Pesticide Registration (PR) Notices - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Registration Review - Periodic reevaluation of pesticide safety - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• New Approaches to Minor Uses of Pesticides - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Pesticide Registration Improvement Extension Act - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

If you have questions about this, or any pesticide-related topic, please call NPIC at 800-858-7378 (8:00am - 12:00pm PST), or email at npic@ace.orst.edu.