Label Guidance for Antimicrobial Pesticides Used Against Avian Influenza A
Current as of March 8, 2007
The Agency revised its avian influenza A label claims policy, which restricted the claim to products that were used on poultry farms, and were packaged as concentrates. This document provides guidance for antimicrobial pesticides sold as dilutable liquids and powders, ready-to-use or spray formulations, and towelettes, which are used to treat surfaces in agricultural, commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential settings against the avian influenza A virus. This document also provides guidance to those applicants whose label claims for inactivation of the avian influenza A virus were rejected because of the container size or package form of the product. The following describes the Agency's policy for avian influenza A label claims:
On this page:
- Ready-to-Use and Coarse Spray Products - Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, Agricultural and Residential Uses
- Towelette Products - Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, Agricultural and Residential Uses
- Label Claims
- Dilutable Liquids and Powders - Poultry Farms and Related Agricultural Sites
- Previously Rejected Label Claims
- Previously Approved Label Claims
- Point of Contact
Ready-to-Use and Coarse Spray Products - Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, Agricultural and Residential Uses
Avian influenza A label claims will be accepted for these types of products provided efficacy data has been submitted and accepted to support the label claim. It should be clear that the use is only for surfaces which are not conducive to treatment by immersion or excess liquid (e.g., cages, equipment tables, lab benches, faucet handles, door knobs, and similar "high touch" surfaces.) For uses in hospital/medical/health facilities, the directions for use for hospital disinfection should be followed. For all other use sites, general disinfection directions for use should be followed.
Towelette Products - Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, Agricultural and Residential Uses
Avian influenza A label claims will be accepted for these types of products provided efficacy data has been submitted and accepted to support the label claim. It should be clear that the use is only for surfaces which are not conducive to treatment by immersion or excess liquid (e.g., electrical panels, cash registers, door knobs and similar "high touch" surfaces). For uses in hospital/medical/health facilities, the directions for use for hospital disinfection should be followed. For all other use sites, general disinfection directions for use should be followed.
Label Claims
Featured statements/phrases, emphasized/enlarged lettering, special graphics, or any product name that employs the terms "Avian influenza A" or "Bird Flu", are unacceptable. Featured statements/phrases, emphasized/enlarged lettering or special graphics that are employed for the primary purpose of especially promoting or drawing attention to product efficacy against avian influenza A, are also unacceptable. For example, a featured, incomplete phrase such as "Kills avian influenza A" will not be permitted, but the phrase "Kills avian influenza A on pre-cleaned environmental surfaces" is acceptable.
Dilutable Liquids and Powders - Poultry Farms and Related Agricultural Sites
Avian influenza A label claims should have a separate section from basic disinfection claims under the heading "Special Instructions for Inactivating Avian Influenza A." The following label directions are required for poultry house disinfectants to permit their classification as non-food use products.
- Remove all poultry and feeds from premises, trucks, coops, and crates.
- Remove all litter and droppings from floors, walls and surfaces of facilities occupied or traversed by poultry.
- Empty all troughs, racks, and other feeding and watering appliances.
- Thoroughly clean all surfaces with soap or detergent and rinse with water.
- Saturate surfaces with the recommended disinfecting solution for a period of 10 minutes.
- Ventilate buildings, coops, and other closed spaces. Do not house poultry or employ equipment until treatment has been absorbed, set, or dried.
- Thoroughly scrub treated feed racks, troughs, automatic feeders, fountains, and waterers with soap or detergent, and rinse with potable water before reuse.
For uses in hospital/medical/health facilities, the directions for use for hospital disinfection should be followed. For all other non-agricultural use sites, general disinfection directions for use should be followed.
Previously Rejected Label Claims
Products that were submitted to EPA with efficacy data against avian influenza A whose label claims were rejected due to the packaging type or container size may resubmit those labels, following the guidance provided above, for Agency approval. These amendments will be handled under an expedited review, only if the nature of the amendment is to obtain the previously rejected avian influenza A label claim.
Previously Approved Label Claims
Registrants whose products are listed on the Agency's Avian Influenza web page, and/or have EPA approved labels, are encouraged to revise their labels in accordance with this guidance, where appropriate.
Point of Contact
For additional information, contact Dr. Tajah Blackburn at 703-308-0372.