FIFRA conventional pesticides and biopesticides regulations

Conventional pesticides are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). These products, based on traditional synthetic chemistry, are used to control, repel, mitigate, or eliminate pests across a wide range of applications including: crop protection, insect and insect vector control, professional pest control, home and garden pest management, and livestock and companion animal care.

At Sagentia Regulatory, we help clients navigate the full regulatory lifecycle of conventional pesticide products. These may be formulated as liquid emulsifiable and soluble concentrates, aerosol sprays, ready-to-use liquids, water-dispersible granules, dusts, or impregnated materials.

We support compliance across all major categories including: herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, nematicides, insect repellents, ectoparasiticides, plant growth regulators, and other vertebrate control agents.

For products intended for use on or in food – such as those applied to growing crops, post-harvest produce, or livestock – we guide clients through the process of establishing tolerances (maximum residue limits) or securing tolerance exemptions based on toxicology and residue chemistry data.

For products targeting public health pests (e.g. cockroaches, bed bugs, mosquitoes, ticks, flies, rodents), we assist in generating and submitting efficacy data to demonstrate their effectiveness against the target pest.

All conventional pesticide products must be registered with the EPA and in every U.S. state where they are sold or distributed. We help clients meet these requirements through strategic planning, data development and submission support, ensuring compliance with FIFRA and state guidelines at every stage.

Biopesticides are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), but follow a distinct regulatory pathway from conventional pesticides due to their biological origin. These products are often favored for their targeted modes of action and environmental compatibility.

Sagentia Regulatory helps clients navigate the unique requirements for biopesticide registration, including:

• Biochemical pesticides – naturally occurring substances such as insect pheromones, natural plant and insect regulators, naturally occurring repellents and attractants and enzymes
• Microbial pesticides – living organisms like bacteria, fungi, viruses, or protozoa
• Plant-Incorporated Protectants (PIPs) – pesticidal substances produced by plants and the genetic material necessary for the plant to produce the substance

While biopesticides may benefit from reduced data requirements, they must still meet standards for chemistry, toxicology, and product performance – particularly for public health uses – under FIFRA guidelines.

For genetically modified microbial pesticides, we provide tailored guidance on the specific data requirements based on the organism, use pattern, and exposure potential.

All biopesticide products must be registered with the EPA and in each U.S. state where they are marketed. Our experts work closely with clients to identify applicable data waivers, coordinate studies, prepare robust submissions, and develop regulatory strategies that streamline the registration process and ensure full compliance with FIFRA.