Pesticide Certification Paperwork Gets EPA Renewal Nod
Published Date: 11/18/2025
Notice
Summary
The EPA wants to renew its paperwork for certifying pesticide applicators—people who handle and apply pesticides—to keep things safe and legal. They’re asking for public feedback by January 20, 2026, to make sure the process is clear and not too much work. This renewal won’t add new costs but helps keep the certification system running smoothly for everyone involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory paperwork for pesticide applicators
EPA is renewing the information collection for certifying pesticide applicators that is mandatory under FIFRA (sections 3 and 11) and 40 CFR part 171. The renewal covers an estimated 2,722,244 potential respondents, imposes a total estimated burden of 3,350,304 hours per year, and is associated with total estimated costs of $165,574,065 per year.
Estimated burden decreased since last approval
EPA reports a decrease of 315,095 hours in the total estimated respondent burden compared with the currently approved ICR. EPA says the decrease mainly reflects respondents' greater familiarity with the regulations and certifying authorities completing updates to certification plans under the 2017 requirements.
Federal RUP dealer recordkeeping and reporting
For areas where EPA administers a certification program, RUP (restricted use pesticide) dealers must maintain records of RUP sales and must report and update their names and addresses with the pesticide regulatory agency for enforcement purposes.
Special paperwork for certain registrants
Registrants of certain pesticide products are expected to perform specific special paperwork activities to comply with terms and conditions of registration—for example, registrants of anthrax-related pesticide products must perform special paperwork as part of their registration obligations.
Request for input from very small businesses
EPA specifically requests comments from very small businesses (those that employ less than 25) on examples of additional efforts EPA could make to reduce the paperwork burden; comments are due on or before January 20, 2026.
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Previous: 2025-20071, Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Renewal Collection and Request for Comment; Reporting in the FIFRA Grant Database
The EPA wants to renew its current reporting system for grants related to pesticide safety, called the FIFRA Grant Database. This affects organizations that receive these grants, who will keep reporting as usual with no new costs or big changes. The EPA is asking for public comments by January 20, 2026, to make sure the process stays clear and useful.
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