Pesticide Labeling

Labels and Labeling

• Pesticide Labeling is the main means of communication between a pesticide manufacturer and Pesticide Users.

• Label is the information attached to the Pesticide Container.

• Labeling is the label and any other information you receive from the manufacturer.

Pesticide Labeling

• Gives you instructions on how to use the product safely and correctly.

• Pesticide users are required by law to comply with all the instructions and directions for use in pesticide labeling.

EPA Approval for Labeling

• No pesticide may be sold in the US until the EPA has approved the product. –

Product will not present unreasonable risk to humans and the environment

• EPA has certain labeling requirements that must be approved • Only after EPA approval and registration can the product be sold.

Types of Pesticide Registrations

• Federal Registration • Special Local Needs Registration • Emergency Exemption from Registration

Federal Registration

• Most Common form of Registration –

Also called a Section 3 label (Section 3 of the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act….FIFRA

• Official EPA Registration number on label –

look for the number to make sure you are buying an approved product.

Special Local Needs Registrations (Section 24c)

• Allows States to further control how a pesticide is used within their jurisdiction.

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registering additional uses to include sites and pests

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adding limitations such as groundwater restrictions or number of applications

Special Local Needs Registrations

• Labeling must be provided for each special local needs registration.

• Applicators must have a copy of the special local needs labeling in their possession to apply the pesticide for that purpose.

• Growers apply to the Montana Department of Agriculture for Section 24s

Emergency Exemptions Section 18

• Used when an emergency pest situation arises for which no pesticide is registered.

• Request is made by growers to Montana Department of Agriculture • Strict controls and recordkeeping are required for all these emergency exemptions.

Classification of Pesticide Uses

• EPA categorizes every use of pesticide as either –

Unclassified or General use Pesticides -GUP

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Restricted Use (Restricted Use Pesticides (RUP)

Restricted Use Pesticides

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Classified as restricted if it could cause harm to humans

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pesticide handlers

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other persons Or have some environmental impact

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High water solubility Persistent Toxic to animals or beneficial insects RUPs must be applied by certified applicators

Restricted Use

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“Use” refers to such activities as

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application

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mixing and loading

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transporting, storing, or handling pesticides after the manufacturer’s seal is broken

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care and maintenance of application and handling equipment

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disposal of pesticides and their containers

Restricted Use Pesticides

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Only a certified pesticide applicator may use or supervise the use of restricted-use pesticides.

Two types of certified pesticide applicators

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private applicators

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commercial applicators

Private Applicators

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Use or supervise the use of restricted-use pesticides to produce agricultural commodities on property

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owned or rented by themselves

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their employer

Commercial Applicators

• Use or supervise the use of restricted-use pesticides on any property or for any purpose other than that listed for private applicators

Parts of Pesticide Labeling

• • •

Brand Name Ingredient Statement Each pesticide label must list what is in the product

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must list the official chemical name

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and/or common name of active ingredients Inert ingredients need not be named by the label must show what % the product contains.

Parts of Pesticide Labeling

• • • •

Type of Pesticide

– – –

insecticide algicide herbicide Registration & Establishment Numbers Net Contents Name & Address of Manufacturer

Parts of Pesticide Labeling

• •

Type of formulation WP - wettable powder D - dust EC - emulsifiable concentrate 22K –



22% potassium (K) salt Restricted Use Label

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label will state “Restricted-Use Pesticide” in a box at the top of the front label

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will include a statement on the product

Parts of Pesticide Labeling Signal Words

• • • •

Danger–Poison – it can kill you!

Danger – usually associated with skin or eye damage Warning -moderately toxic Caution - least toxic

Signal Word

Parts of Pesticide Labeling

Remember – all labels follow a certain format

• Statement of practical treatment (first aid) – instructions on how to respond to an emergency exposure involving the product • Precautionary Statements • What safety gear to wear (PPE) • User Precautions

Parts of Pesticide Labeling

• Environmental Hazards • Physical or Chemical Hazards • Directions for use – it is a violation of Federal lay to us a pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling

Brand Name Ingredients EPA #’s Signal Word First Aid PPE User Precautions

Parts of Pesticide Labeling

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Entry Statement

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some pesticide labeling contains a precaution about entering a treated area after application.

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This statement tells you

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how much time must pass before people can enter a treated area

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worker protection

Parts of Pesticide Labeling

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Storage and Disposal

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prohibitions storage spilled materials pesticide disposal container disposal

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it is unlawful to burn pesticide containers in Montana

Sites

Uses inconsistent with the Pesticide Label

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it is illegal to use a pesticide in any way not permitted by the labeling.

• • • •

Off-site Improper equipment settings Improper rate (lack of calibration) No safety gear worn when the label says you must!

A pesticide may be used only on the plants, animals, or sites named in the directions for use.

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If the site is listed but the pest is not, you can still use the product on site, but you have no recourse if the product doesn’t work.

Pesticide Labels

• You may not use – higher dosages – higher concentrations – more frequent applications

Pesticide Labels

• Federal law does allow you to use pesticides in some ways not mentioned in the labeling – apply a pesticide at any dosage, concentration, or frequency less than that listed on the labeling – apply a pesticide against any target pest not listed on the labeling if the application is to a plant, animal, or site that is listed,

Pesticide Labels

• Federal law does allow you to use pesticides in some ways not mentioned in the labeling – use any appropriate equipment or method of application that is not prohibited by the labeling – mix a pesticide or pesticides with a fertilizer if the mixture is not prohibited by the labeling – mix two of more pesticides, if all of the dosages are at or below the recommended rate

Read the Label

• Before you purchase the product • Before you apply the product • Before you dispose of the container