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Basic Information
Delivering a cleaner, healthier environment for all people
Working internationally helps support and strengthen public health and environmental protection in the United States and worldwide. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Office of Pesticide Programs is committed to:
- Strengthening food safety, public health, and environmental protection in the U.S. and worldwide;
- Improving regulatory efficiency by leveraging scientific and regulatory resources with the international community to benefit consumers, growers, and industry stakeholders; and
- Minimizing international trade barriers related to pesticide regulatory requirements and facilitating trade and fair competition while maintaining strict safety standards.
As international trade in crops, food commodities, and pesticide products increases, EPA works with foreign governments, international organizations, and stakeholders to ensure high levels of protection for human health and the environment. EPA:
- Participates in international agreements and treaties designed to reduce risks from pesticides;
- Partners with other national pesticide regulatory authorities and technical organizations to facilitate routine sharing of scientific resources; and
- Assists foreign countries in complying with U.S. and international import and export trade requirements.
On this page:
- International Agreements and Treaties
- International Work Sharing, Harmonization, and Technical Assistance
- Import and Export Trade Requirements
International Agreements and Treaties
EPA works closely with other U.S. agencies, foreign governments, and international organizations to develop and strengthen international standards and approaches to the sound management of pesticides. Quite a few international agreements have been developed on different aspects of pesticides to strengthen protections across the globe. Read more about international agreements and treaties.
International Work Sharing, Harmonization, and Technical Assistance
EPA works with other countries and international organizations to promote shared scientific and technical expertise, lessen the resource burden on governments and the regulatory community, and maintain high standards for the protection of human health and the environment.
While EPA's focus is on domestic issues, environmental protection must be increasingly global to be most effective. Pollution and chemical risks do not respect international borders. Developing countries are increasingly interested in strengthening their capabilities to address pesticide problems. In keeping with that country's own conditions and capabilities, EPA helps other countries improve their capacity to make decisions on:
- pesticide use
- regulation
- disposal
In addition to the benefits of such information sharing and technical assistance realized by the other country, there are also direct benefits to the U.S. For example, EPA provides extensive information on U.S. pesticide regulatory actions as well as the U.S. standards for pesticide residues (tolerances or Maximum Residue Limits) to countries that export food to the United States. The benefits of such information sharing and technical assistance include:
- improved food safety in the U.S.
- reduced risk to pesticide users and consumers in developing countries
- fewer rejections of commodities exported to the U.S.
Read more about international work sharing, harmonization, and technical assistance.
Import and Export Trade Requirements
EPA is committed to assisting growers, importers, and exporters to comply with pesticide regulatory trade requirements to minimize trade barriers and facilitate fair competition while maintaining strict safety standards. Read about EPA's import and export trade requirements.
In addition, in an effort to help stakeholders understand and respond to government requirements of foreign markets, EPA participates in activities relating to two World Trade Organization (WTO) committees. The WTO Sanitary and Phytosanitary Committee reviews trade issues related to food safety (including establishment of Maximum Residue Limits for pesticide residues in food. The WTO Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee focuses on other technical requirements and standards that may affect trade, which may include some conditions of pesticide registration. More information on the WTO agreements and current trade issues is available at the WTO Web site. 