EPA Greenlights Fancy Chemical in Bug Sprays Sans Limits
Published Date: 4/10/2026
Rule
Summary
The EPA just made it official: a special ingredient called polyethylhexyl glycidyl ether polyethylene oxide copolymer can now be used in pesticides without worrying about residue limits, as long as it’s under 10% of the mix. This change helps farmers and pesticide makers by cutting red tape and starts right away on April 10, 2026. If anyone has concerns, they have until June 9, 2026, to speak up.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
10% Tolerance Exemption Established
The EPA established an exemption allowing polyethylhexyl glycidyl ether polyethylene oxide copolymer (CAS No. 82780-16-3) to be used as an inert wetting agent or surfactant on growing crops and raw agricultural commodities, pre- and post-harvest, when it is no more than 10% by weight of the pesticide formulation. Because of this exemption, EPA eliminated the need to set a numerical residue tolerance for this ingredient when used under these conditions; the rule is effective April 10, 2026.
Registration Limit Enforced by EPA
EPA will enforce the 10% limit through the pesticide registration process under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and will not register any pesticide formulation for food use that exceeds 10% by weight of this ingredient. This enforcement approach applies starting April 10, 2026.
EPA Safety Findings for Children and Consumers
EPA concluded that chronic dietary exposure to this ingredient will use 2.8% of the chronic population-adjusted dose (cPAD) for the U.S. population and 10.3% of the cPAD for children aged 1-2 years. EPA also found short-term aggregate margins of exposure of 365 for adults and 211 for children, and reduced the usual additional safety factor for infants and children to 1X.
Effective Date and Objection Deadline
The rule is effective April 10, 2026. If you want to file an objection or request a hearing about this regulation, your written submission must be received by the EPA Hearing Clerk on or before June 9, 2026 and must follow the instructions in 40 CFR part 178.
No Analytical Method Required for Enforcement
EPA stated that an analytical enforcement method for measuring residues is not required because no numerical tolerance is being established. Enforcement of the 10% formulation limit will occur through pesticide registration under FIFRA rather than residue testing.
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