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Pesticide Container and Containment Rule

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EPA is required by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to promulgate regulations prescribing procedures and standards for container design and the removal of pesticides from containers prior to disposal. Information on this page will help registrants, refillers, retailers, commercial applicators and custom blenders to comply with the requirements of this rule. See Sections 19(e) and (f) of the FIFRA. Exit EPA disclaimer

EPA’s final regulations, "Standards for Pesticide Containers and Containment" were published in a Federal Register notice on August 16, 2006 - part a, part b, and part c.

On October 29, 2008, EPA published a final rule that amended the pesticide container and containment regulations to provide a one year extension of the labeling compliance date; to make some other changes to the label requirements; and to correct typographical and other minor errors. See below for more details about the final amendments.

The pesticide container and containment regulations include five sections, which are described below.

  1. Nonrefillable Containers: This section addresses "one-way" or disposable containers and applies to pesticide registrants. The purpose of these standards is to ensure that containers are strong and durable, minimize human exposure during container handling and facilitate container disposal and recycling.

  2. Refillable Containers: This section applies to containers that are intended to be refilled and reused more than once and applies to pesticide registrants.  The purpose of these standards is to ensure that containers are strong and durable, minimize cross-contamination of pesticides distributed in refillable containers, and encourage the use of refillable containers to reduce container disposal problems.

  3. Repackaging: This section, which describes procedures and other safeguards for repackaging pesticide into refillable containers, applies to pesticide registrants and anyone who refills pesticide containers for sale (registrants, formulators, distributors and dealers).  These regulations are intended to minimize cross-contamination of pesticides distributed in refillable containers, codify safe refilling management practices and encourage the use of refillable containers to reduce container disposal problems.

  4. Labeling: The labeling segment includes instructions for how to properly clean pesticide containers and a statement identifying the container as nonrefillable or refillable. Pesticide registrants are required to ensure that labels include the specified information. Pesticide users are required to comply with the instructions on the labels.

  5. Containment Structures: This section establishes standards for secondary containment structures at certain bulk storage sites and for containment pads at certain pesticide dispensing operations. Pesticide dealers who repackage pesticides, commercial applicators and custom blenders have to comply with the requirements. The purpose of these standards is to protect the environment from leaks and spills at bulk storage areas and from contamination due to pesticide dispensing operations.

EPA prepared an outline of the key requirements in the final rule to facilitate the regulated community's ability to determine who is subject to the rule and how to comply. This document was updated in October 2008 to incorporate the amendments to the container and containment regulations.

Related Documents

  • Final Amendments to the Pesticide Container and Containment Regulations: The final amendments provide a one year extension of the labeling compliance date; change the phrase “sold or distributed” to “released for shipment” as associated with all compliance dates; provide for exceptions to the label language requirements for some specific types of containers; allow for waivers of certain label requirements for other refillable and nonrefillable containers on a case-by-case basis; and correct typographical and other minor errors. This rule finalizes the amendments that were proposed on June 11, 2008 (73 FR 33035). The following information is intended to facilitate understanding of the final amendments:

    1. A list of the key changes made in the final amendments.

    2. Marked-up version of the container and containment regulatory text showing the changes in the final amendments (for a color printer [Word document]).

    3. Marked-up version of the container and containment regulatory text showing the changes in the final amendments (for a black and white printer [Word document]).

  • Guidance on Storage and Disposal Label Statements: An October 2008 version of Chapter 13 - Storage and Disposal - of the Label Review Manual has been posted on-line. However, EPA will be making changes to this version to reflect the new amendments to the container-containment rule. The chapter provides a logical and clear presentation of the (2006) requirements and guidance for Storage and Disposal instructions on pesticide labels. The Storage and Disposal section of a label should include instructions about:
    1. pesticide storage;
    2. pesticide disposal; and
    3. container disposal/management.

  • Pesticide Container Recycling: Proposed Rule OMB Concludes EO 12866 Review by Returning Proposal to EPA for Reconsideration.

  • The EPA test procedure, "Rinsing Procedures for Dilutable Pesticide Products in Rigid Containers - basic testing recommendations" (PDF) (9 pp, 126 K, About PDF) - is referenced in the August 16, 2006 pesticide container regulations under §165.25(f)(1).

  • On February 11, 1994, EPA published proposed regulations, "Standards for Pesticide Containers and Containment" (59 FR 6712).

  • On October 21, 1999, EPA published a supplemental notice reopening the comment period (64 FR 56918) on issues brought out in comments on the proposed rule or by legislation enacted after the proposed rule was published. Specifically, the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996 amended section 19(h) to add an exemption for certain antimicrobial pesticides.

  • On June 30, 2004 EPA published a Federal Register notice to reopen the public comment period on the proposed regulation establishing standards for pesticide containers and containment.

    • For additional information about the pesticide container and containment rule, contact:

    General information about storage and disposal of pesticide containers

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