Attorneys General Advocate for Uniform Pesticide Labeling Standards

Call for Consistent Regulations to Reduce Confusion

A coalition of attorneys general has called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a new rule that would standardize pesticide product labeling requirements across the United States. The current framework under the Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) allows individual states to set their own labeling requirements, leading to inconsistencies that confuse both manufacturers and farmers.

Current Issues with State-Specific Labeling

Under the existing regulations, manufacturers must navigate a patchwork of state-specific labeling requirements, which often include varying health information. For instance, California’s Proposition 65 mandates that products containing glyphosate—an ingredient the EPA has deemed safe for human health—must carry warning labels. This discrepancy between state regulations and federal assessments creates confusion and complicates compliance for those in the agriculture sector.

Proposed Rule to Ease Burdens

The coalition argues that a uniform federal rule would streamline labeling requirements, reducing the regulatory burden on farmers and manufacturers. By establishing consistent labeling standards, the proposed rule aims to eliminate confusion and ensure that all stakeholders have clear, uniform information about pesticide products.