Laws & Regulations (FIFRA)
Federal and state pesticide laws establish the framework for legal pesticide use. This topic covers FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act), EPA registration requirements, the difference between general-use and restricted-use pesticides, state licensing categories, Worker Protection Standard (WPS), and recordkeeping requirements.
Study Guide: Laws & Regulations (FIFRA)
Review these sample questions before starting the practice test.
Q1: What does FIFRA stand for?
- A. Federal Inspection of Farms and Rural Areas
- B. Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act â
- C. Federal Initiative for Fertilizer Regulation Act
- D. Federal Institute for Food and Resource Assessment
FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act) is the primary federal law governing the registration, distribution, sale, and use of pesticides in the United States. It is administered by the EPA.
Q2: Under FIFRA, which agency is responsible for registering pesticides?
- A. USDA (Department of Agriculture)
- B. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) â
- C. FDA (Food and Drug Administration)
- D. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is responsible for registering all pesticides sold or distributed in the United States under FIFRA. Registration involves evaluating scientific data to ensure products meet safety standards.
Q3: The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) applies to:
- A. Only homeowners using garden products
- B. Agricultural establishments where workers and handlers may be exposed to pesticides â
- C. Only pesticide manufacturers
- D. Only retail stores selling pesticides
The WPS protects agricultural workers (those performing tasks in treated areas) and handlers (those mixing, loading, or applying pesticides). It requires safety training, notification, decontamination supplies, emergency assistance, and PPE.
Q4: Commercial pesticide applicators must maintain application records for:
- A. They are not required to keep records
- B. At least 2 years (or longer depending on state requirements) â
- C. Only 30 days
- D. Only for restricted use pesticides
Federal law requires that all certified applicators maintain records of restricted use pesticide applications for at least 2 years. Many states require records for all commercial applications. Records must include product, rate, date, location, and target pest.
Q5: A "Section 18 Emergency Exemption" allows:
- A. Anyone to use any pesticide without a license
- B. The use of an unregistered pesticide or a new use of a registered pesticide during an emergency situation â
- C. Exceeding label rates during pest outbreaks
- D. Importing pesticides from other countries without restrictions
Section 18 of FIFRA allows state or federal agencies to request emergency use of a pesticide not registered for a specific pest or crop when an emergency pest situation exists and no adequate registered products are available.
Q6: What must a certified applicator do before allowing a non-certified person to apply restricted use pesticides?
- A. Nothing â anyone can apply restricted use pesticides
- B. Provide direct supervision, including being available at the application site â
- C. Just tell them to read the label
- D. Give them the keys to the storage area
Non-certified applicators may apply restricted use pesticides only under the direct supervision of a certified applicator. Direct supervision means the certified applicator is accessible and has provided instructions appropriate to the situation.
Q7: Using a pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling is:
- A. Acceptable if you have experience
- B. A violation of federal law under FIFRA â
- C. Only a violation if someone is harmed
- D. Legal as long as you wear PPE
Under FIFRA, it is a violation of federal law to use any pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling. This includes applying to unlisted sites, exceeding rates, ignoring PPE requirements, and disregarding buffer zones.
Q8: A "Section 24(c) Special Local Need" registration allows:
- A. States to ban all pesticides
- B. A state to register an additional use of a federally registered pesticide for a specific local need â
- C. Local stores to sell unregistered pesticides
- D. Counties to override federal regulations
Section 24(c) of FIFRA allows states to register additional uses of federally registered pesticides to address special local needs (specific pests, crops, or conditions) that exist within that state but may not justify a federal registration.
Ready to practice all 100 questions? Start the interactive quiz below.