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United States Environmental Protection Agency
Pesticides: Regulating Pesticides
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International Issues

Trade Issues | Importing and Exporting Foods | International Agreements | Regulatory Coordination and Harmonization | Information Sharing and Technical Assistance

Highlights

Comment Period Extended on the New Global System to Pesticide Labels due by December 6, 2004.
Questions & Answers on NAFTA Guidance on Data Requirements for
Pesticide Import Tolerances
Proposed NAFTA Import Tolerance Guidance Document
Test Guidelines/Acute Toxicity

The use and regulation of pesticides has a significant international component. The goals and benefits of EPA's international pesticide activities range from protecting the U.S. food supply to assisting developing countries to develop appropriate pesticide regulatory programs.

Trade Issues

EPA regulates both the import and export of pesticides.

Importing and Exporting Pesticide Products

Importing and Exporting Food

Just as international trade in pesticide products has grown exponentially, so too has trade in agricultural products treated with pesticides. Many federal agencies regulate the imported food and food products, but EPA’s role is limited to the establishment of pesticide tolerances, or maximum residue levels, on food – whether of domestic or foreign origin.

  • Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) - This statute requires EPA to establish or change tolerances, which are the maximum residue limits of pesticides permitted on foods. Other statutes related to international food trade are noted.
  • Tolerance Information - This is a searchable data base which identifies all the pesticide tolerances established on all foods.
  • Codex Alimentarius Commission - This international organization establishes internationally agreed upon maximum residue limits on foods.
  • FAO/WHO Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues - The joint meeting on pesticide residues is an international panel of experts which evaluates the toxicological data that supports the maximum residue limits established by the Codex.
International Agreements

EPA works closely with U.S. agencies, foreign countries, and international organizations to develop or strengthen international standards and legal mechanisms related to the sound management of chemicals. Quite a few international agreements have been developed on different aspects of pesticides, including:

Regulatory Coordination and Harmonization

EPA works with other countries and international organizations to pursue harmonization of pesticide related activities in order to: a) promote benefits from shared scientific and technical expertise, b) lessen the resource burden on governments and the regulatory community, and c) maintain high standards for the protection of human health and the environment.

Information Sharing and Technical Assistance

EPA works with foreign governments and international organizations to support and strengthen pesticide regulatory capacity based on principles of sound science, accepted international standards, and the exchange of technical information.

 

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