Introducing the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act of 2022 (PRIA 5) for the Fiscal Year 2023 - Actions and Revisions

Introducing the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act of 2022 (PRIA 5) for the Fiscal Year 2023 - Actions and Revisions

In the latest report released on May 17, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has outlined the key changes and accomplishments under the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act of 2022 (PRIA 5) during the fiscal year 2023.

The report provides data on PRIA actions completed and pending for AD, BPPD, and RD categories, as well as non-PRIA actions completed and pending in the same period. Supporting data files for both PRIA and non-PRIA actions are included, offering a comprehensive overview of the activities during the fiscal year.

One of the significant changes under PRIA 5 was the amendment to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to improve regulatory certainty and transparency. This included provisions such as requiring certain pesticide information in Spanish, reflecting a policy shift towards better inclusivity and communication with Spanish-speaking stakeholders.

In its first year of implementation, EPA undertook pesticide tolerance actions under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) as part of the ongoing pesticide registration review process to ensure pesticides meet registration standards. These tolerance actions and changes are detailed in EPA regulatory documents as part of PRIA 5 implementation efforts.

PRIA 5 also provided more regulatory certainty around pesticide labeling, which helps farmers, producers, and affected industries better understand pesticide use and compliance requirements. However, the planned full completion date for PRIA 5-related actions is projected to extend through fiscal year 2026.

The average exceedance (days) for PRIA actions completed in FY 2023 is detailed in Table I, while Table II provides the number of PRIA actions pending as of the end of FY 2023.

Pesticide Registration Services fees, collected for new pesticide registration, amended registration, and associated tolerance actions, support the EPA's re-evaluation of registered pesticides, approval of inert ingredients, and processing applications. These fees became effective on February 20, 2023.

The report also includes a list of non-PRIA actions pending at the end of FY 2023, as well as a detailed list of PRIA completions. Previous annual reports from 2004 to 2018 are available for comparison.

It's important to note that EPA is required to make a determination on the application within mandatory time frames, called decision time review periods, to ensure timely and efficient processing of applications.

Maintenance fees, which maintain the registration of a pesticide product for another year, are also discussed in the report.

In summary, FY 2023 PRIA 5 key changes focus on regulatory clarity (including labeling), enhanced inclusivity (Spanish language requirements), and active pesticide tolerance actions under FIFRA and FFDCA to maintain safety and compliance standards. The full implementation of PRIA 5-related actions is expected to continue through fiscal year 2026.

[1] PRIA 5 implementation details, EPA regulatory documents. [2] PRIA 5: Improving pesticide registration processes, practices, and policies, EPA factsheet.

Science and technology played crucial roles in the PRIA 5 implementation process, as the EPA used data and regulatory documents to detail the changes, such as improved regulatory certainty and transparency, enhanced inclusivity through Spanish language requirements, and active pesticide tolerance actions to maintain safety and compliance standards. Finance was also involved, with the introduction of Pesticide Registration Services fees to support the EPA's re-evaluation of registered pesticides and processing applications, which became effective in February 2023. Medical-conditions were indirectly addressed through the ongoing pesticide registration review process under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, aiming to ensure pesticides meet registration standards and pose no health risks to consumers.

Read also: