Inert Ingredients Overview and Guidance
Inert Ingredient Databases
EPA Databases for individual inert ingredient approvals
For approvals prior to February 1, 2024, EPA's InertFinder allows users to search for historical individual inert ingredient approvals by chemical name and CAS Reg. No.
For approvals starting on or after February 1, 2024, EPA's Individual Inert Ingredient Database also allows users to search for newer individual inert ingredient approvals by chemical name and CAS Reg. No.
Inert Ingredients are approved in the following categories:
- Food and Nonfood Use - The only inert ingredients approved for use in pesticide products applied to food are those that have either tolerances or tolerance exemptions in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 40 CFR part 180 (the majority are found in sections 180.910 – 960), or where no residues are found in food. The most up-to-date tolerances and tolerance exemptions are found in the electronic CFR (e-CFR). Many food use inert ingredients have use limitations and restrictions. Most food use inert ingredients are also permitted for nonfood use, and this is specified in the two available databases.
- Nonfood Use Only - Permitted solely for use in pesticide products applied to nonfood use sites, such as ornamental plants, highway right-of-ways, rodent control, etc. Food use is not permitted.
- Fragrance Ingredient List (FIL) - Ingredients on the FIL are nonfood use only, but are subject to additional limitations and requirements, as described in EPA’s guidance on the Pilot Fragrance Notification Program:
- Guidance for the Office of Pesticide Program’s Pilot Fragrance Notification Program.
- InertFinder and the individual inert ingredient database include information on fragrances approved under the Fragrance Notification Program.
USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) Ingredients List
Ingredients, including inerts, that are eligible for use in USDA’s NOP program. For more information, visit:
- Guidance regarding EPA’s role in USDA’s National Organic Program
- USDA National Organic Program Ingredients List
Trade Name Inert Ingredients
Formulators sometimes have difficulty determining whether a trade name product is permitted for use as an inert ingredient. To clarify the approved use of inert ingredients/mixtures, manufactures of trade name inert ingredients volunteered to participate in the development of a publicly-available list of trade name inert ingredients, along with the uses for which they are approved, and the manufacturer’s name.
The public listing does not include the composition of trade name inert ingredients, nor products in which they are used. In addition, the posting of the trade name inert ingredient list does not imply any endorsement by EPA of one trade name inert ingredient over another.
- List of trade name inert ingredients
- Guidance for submission of trade name inert ingredient requests
Former Categorized Lists are also available.
Guidance Documents for Inert Ingredients
EPA offers several guidance documents related to the approval and use of inert ingredients and inert ingredient regulatory issues, such as:
- Petition new or amended food use tolerance
- Low risk polymer submission
- New nonfood use
- Open literature database search
- Adding trade product names and approved uses.
FQPA required the reassessment of inert ingredient tolerances and tolerance exemptions that were in place before August 3, 1996. In 2006, EPA completed the reassessment of inert ingredients. Completed inert ingredient tolerance reassessment decision documents are now available on the Tolerance Reassessment Decision Document page.
The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) provides both exclusive use and data compensation protections for data that inert ingredient manufacturers submit to EPA to establish or maintain tolerances or tolerance exemptions for these ingredients. More information about exclusive use and data compensation for inert ingredients.
The Inert Ingredient Frequently Asked Questions (pdf) document answers some questions that we often receive. If you have a question that is not answered here or elsewhere on these pages, please contact us.
For More Information
Questions or comments related to the inert ingredient guidance documents and the inert ingredients listings can be directed to the inert ingredient team (inertsbranch@epa.gov).