Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act

The federal government began regulating pesticides in 1910 for the purpose of preventing the exploitation of farmers from adulterated and ineffective products. The original 1947 FIFRA was the first effort to address potential risks to human health. FIFRA was completely revised in 1972 (P.L. 92-516) to become the basis for current federal policy. The law directs EPA to restrict the use of pesticides to prevent unreasonable adverse effects on people and the environment taking into account the costs and benefits of various uses. The sale of any pesticide is prohibited unless it has gone through registration and is labeled to show the approved uses and restrictions. (P.L. 80-104) Signed June 25, 1947, this law required the registration of pesticide products to ensure that they meet stated health, safety, and environment criteria. Amendments to the law required previously registered pesticides to be reregistered by 1997 to meet updated standards. The Environmental Protection Agency, which administers FIFRA, can cancel registration of pesticides not meeting the required criteria, require label changes, or order immediate termination of use.

Authorization Path: 1.2.1.2.12.0