Pesticides: Regulating Pesticides

Minimum risk pesticides are a special class of pesticides that are not subject to federal registration requirements because their ingredients, both active and inert, are demonstrably safe for the intended use. These Web pages provide detailed information for pesticide companies who want to register minimum risk pesticide products.

Criteria for FIFRA 25(b) Exemption

Minimum risk pesticides that meet certain criteria are exempt from federal registration under section 25(b) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not review or register pesticides that satisfy the 25(b) criteria, though registration is required by most states. For information on minimum risk pesticides in your state, please contact your state's pesticide registration office.

To satisfy the conditions required for federal minimum risk status, all five of the following conditions must be met:

• Condition 1: The product must contain only active ingredients that are listed in the table below. The active ingredient of a product is the ingredient that kills, destroys, mitigates, or repels pests named on the product label.



• Condition 2: The product must contain only those inert ingredients that have been classified by EPA as List 4A “Inert Ingredients of Minimal Concern.”  An explanation of the Inert Ingredients of Minimal Concern and links to List 4A are available on EPA's Permitted Inerts Web page.



• Condition 3: All of the ingredients (both active and inert) must be listed on the label. The active ingredient(s) must be listed by name and percentage by weight. Each inert ingredient must be listed by name.



• Condition 4: The label cannot include any false or misleading statements, and claims that minimum risk pesticides protect human or public health are prohibited. For example, since these products are exempt from federal registration, label language implying federal registration, review or endorsement, such as “It is a violation of federal law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with the label,” or the use of an EPA registration or establishment number is not allowed.



• Condition 5: In general, public health claims are prohibited. Minimum risk pesticide labels may not bear claims to control rodent, insect or microbial pests in a way that links the pests with any specific disease. EPA recommends that anyone considering manufacturing, distributing, or selling minimum risk antimicrobial pesticide products first contact the Pesticide Program’s Antimicrobial Division ombudsman, who can assist in ensuring that proposed antimicrobial minimum risk products meet the strict requirements for exemption from registration.

Additionally, EPA requires the establishment of maximum residue limits, which EPA calls tolerances, or exemptions from the requirement of a tolerance for all pesticides intended for use in a manner that may result in residues in food or feed.

Active Ingredients Exempted Under 25(b) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, & Rodenticide Act

^* indicates exempt active ingredients that are also exempt from pesticide residue tolerance requirements

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