The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (Pub. L. No. 100-532, Oct. 25, 1988, 102 Stat. 2654, 7 U.S.C.A. §§ 136 et seq.) regulates the sale, marketing and distribution of pesticides in the USA .
Under the provisions of the said Act without the approval of the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Authority pesticides cannot be marketed and sold in the USA. The Administrator will weigh the environmental and health hazard the pesticide poses against the benefits of applying the same. Upon such inquiry if he is satisfied that the use of the pesticide in question will not be unduly detrimental to human health and the environment, he will permit the marketing and sale there of.
However, even after approval the Environment Protection Authority can suspend the registration of the concerned pesticide if it finds that continuation of use of the same is likely to cause grave environmental damage. Under the due process norms before such suspension of registration, the said authority gives a fast track hearing to the registrant on the relative benefits and risks of continued use of the concerned pesticide.
In case of grave urgency, the Administrator can suspend the registration even before a hearing can be held on merits.
EPA also examines the various consequences of pesticide usage and can also require the users to register when buying pesticides. By virtue of subsequent amendments to the law users must take examinations for certification as applicators of pesticides.
