The manufacturing and labeling of pesticides is regulated by which agency?

• A. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• B. Environmental Protection Agency
• C. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
• D. Department of Agriculture

Answer: (B)

Pesticide manufacturing and labeling are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency because it administers the registration and labeling of pesticide products under the federal law FIFRA. Before a pesticide can be sold or used, the EPA reviews data on its toxicity, environmental fate, and residue limits to ensure it can be used safely and effectively. The label that results from this process becomes a legally binding guide that tells users how to mix, apply, store, and dispose of the product, what workers need to know to stay safe, and what precautions to take to protect people and the environment.

OSHA focuses on workplace safety in general, not on the licensing and labeling of pesticide products themselves. CERCLA deals with cleanup and liability for hazardous substances after spills or releases, not pesticide product regulation. The Department of Agriculture may influence agricultural policy and certain inspections, but the authority to regulate pesticide labeling and registration rests with the EPA under FIFRA.