EPA sets limits on the amount of pesticides that may remain in or on foods. These limits are called tolerances. The tolerances are set based on a risk assessment and are enforced by the Food and Drug Administration. More information on tolerances is provided at Pesticide Tolerances. EPA is reassessing tolerances (chemical residue limits in food) and exemptions from tolerances for inert ingredients in pesticide products to ensure that they meet the safety standard established by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) in 1996. 

FQPA requires the reassessment of inert ingredient tolerances and tolerance exemptions that were in place prior to August 3, 1996. Since the passage of FQPA, EPA has been reassessing inert ingredients and will complete the remaining assessments by August 2006. Completed inert ingredient tolerance reassessment decision documents are now available on the Tolerance Reassessment Status page.

Refer to the US Government Printing Office issued Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) for complete and current information on Categorized List of Inert (other) Pesticide Ingredients. The CFR describes how each inert ingredient may be used.