Advocate
Advocate

Improving the Pesticide Registration Process

CropLife America champions a science-driven pesticide registration process and a fully funded Environmental Protection Agency Office of Pesticide Programs to keep vital tools in farmers’ hands. This work helps protect farmer livelihoods, supports safe and affordable food, and reduces agriculture’s environmental footprint.

Pesticide Registration Process Overview

Pesticides must be approved by both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) and state authorities before they
can be sold or used in the U.S. Here’s how the registration process works.

FAST FACTS

  • Farmers lose up to 40% of crops each year to pests, weeds, and diseases.
  • Pesticides — conventional, organic, and biological — are essential for producing an affordable, abundant, and healthy food supply.
  • U.S. pesticide use is highly regulated and based on rigorous scientific review by food, health, and environmental experts.
  • EPA requires studies to prove pesticides pose no unreasonable risk and that “there is a reasonable certainty no harm will result” from pesticide residue exposure on food.
  • Products are continuously monitored and re-evaluated as new scientific data emerges to ensure they meet current safety standards.

Industry Impact Assessment

The U.S. pesticide regulatory framework is among the most respected in the world. Every pesticide approved for use must undergo extensive testing — often dozens or even hundreds of studies — reviewed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These tests assess potential impacts on child development, dietary exposure, and long-term toxicity to ensure safety and compliance.

12+

Average Pesticide Review Process

$280M+

Investment Per Product