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International Issues
Trade Issues | Importing
and Exporting Foods | International Agreements
| Regulatory Coordination and Harmonization |
Information
Sharing and Technical Assistance
Highlights
- Globally Harmonized System for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
- Pesticide Product Certificate of U.S. Registration (Gold Seal Letter)
- NAFTA TWG on Pesticides
- Implementing NAFTA Labels
- Own Use Import Program
- Questions & Answers on NAFTA Guidance on Data Requirements for Pesticide Import Tolerances
- Test Guidelines/Acute Toxicity
The use and regulation of pesticides has a significant international component. The goals and benefits of EPA's international pesticide activities range from protecting the U.S. food supply to assisting developing countries to develop appropriate pesticide regulatory programs.
Trade IssuesEPA regulates both the import and export of pesticides.
Importing and Exporting FoodImporting and Exporting Pesticide Products
- Export of unregistered pesticides (FIFRA section 17(a)) - All registered pesticides exported to other countries must bear the product label approved by EPA; for those unregistered pesticides which are exported, exporters must meet the requirements of FIFRA Section 17(a) related to foreign purchaser acknowledgement statements, export notification and labeling.
- Notification of pesticide imports (FIFRA section 17(c)) - All pesticides intended to be used in the US must first be registered with EPA prior to import.
Just as international trade in pesticide products has grown exponentially, so too has trade in agricultural products treated with pesticides. Many federal agencies regulate the imported food and food products, but EPA’s role is limited to the establishment of pesticide tolerances, or maximum residue levels, on food – whether of domestic or foreign origin.
- Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) - This statute requires EPA to establish or change tolerances, which are the maximum residue limits of pesticides permitted on foods. Other statutes related to international food trade are noted.
- Tolerance Information - This is a searchable data base which identifies all the pesticide tolerances established on all foods.
- Codex Alimentarius Commission - This international organization establishes internationally agreed upon maximum residue limits on foods.
- FAO/WHO Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues - The joint meeting on pesticide residues is an international panel of experts which evaluates the toxicological data that supports the maximum residue limits established by the Codex.
EPA works closely with U.S. agencies, foreign countries, and international organizations to develop or strengthen international standards and legal mechanisms related to the sound management of chemicals. Quite a few international agreements have been developed on different aspects of pesticides, including:
- Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
- Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollutants (LRTAP), Protocol on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
- Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade
- Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
- North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC)
- North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Technical Working Group on Pesticides
- Canada-United States Strategy for the Virtual Elimination of Persistent Toxic Substances in the Great Lakes
- International Convention on the Control
of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships
- The Vienna Convention
for the Protection of the Ozone Layer & The Montreal Protocol on
Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
EPA works with other countries and international organizations to pursue harmonization of pesticide related activities in order to: a) promote benefits from shared scientific and technical expertise, b) lessen the resource burden on governments and the regulatory community, and c) maintain high standards for the protection of human health and the environment.
Information Sharing and Technical AssistanceEPA works with foreign governments and international organizations to support and strengthen pesticide regulatory capacity based on principles of sound science, accepted international standards, and the exchange of technical information.
- Pesticide Management Resource Guide (PMReG)
- Pesticide Disposal in Developing Countries
- Pesticide Regulatory Strengthening in Central America
- U.S. National Profile on the Management of Chemicals
- OPP International Visitors Program
- Chemicals Information Exchange Network
- Intergovernmental Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS)
- International
Program on Chemical Safety (IPCS)