Positive Attributes and Desired Qualities for Models Used in Pesticide Risk Assessment

The Office of Pesticide Program's Environmental Fate and Effects Division (EFED) prefers to use models that have the following attributes and qualities:

1. EFED's models must be of appropriate quality and rigor for risk assessment and risk management applications.

2. To the extent practicable, EFED seeks input, collaboration, and peer review from the scientific community in the development, evaluation, and implementation of models.

3. To encourage transparency, EFED prefers to use models that are easily available to the public (including the underlying code).

4. EFED needs to be able to modify and adjust models, efficiently adapt models to evolving risk assessment methodology, and interface multiple fate and effects models.