States vs. EPA: Pesticide Labels Face Cancer Clash
Published Date: 1/21/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA got a petition from 11 states asking to change pesticide labels so they match the EPA’s health risk findings, like cancer or birth defect risks. This means if a state label doesn’t agree with EPA’s health info, it could be called misbranding. Anyone involved with pesticides should weigh in by February 20, 2025, as this could affect labeling rules and compliance costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
State Labels vs EPA Risk Findings
The Attorneys General of 11 States (Nebraska, Iowa, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Montana, North Dakota, South Carolina, and South Dakota) asked EPA to amend 40 CFR 156.10(a)(5) to add a new paragraph (xi). The requested change would make any pesticide labeling statements about human health effects (for example, a product's likelihood of causing cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm) that differ from EPA's findings in its human health risk assessment count as misbranding. Stakeholders can submit comments on the petition identified by docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2024-0562 by February 20, 2025.
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Key Dates
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