Protect Your Business: Avoid Selling Illegal Pesticides
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Quick Resources
Is your store selling illegal
pesticides?
Did you know that if you sell or distribute pesticides, you must obey a
federal law called the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act
(FIFRA)? This means that in most cases, the pesticides you sell must be
registered with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S.
EPA). You can find more information on pesticides, including descriptions
of products which are exempt from registration from the "About
Pesticides" area of this Web site.
![Unregistered Cockroach & Antkiller](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090511230516im_/http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/images/roach_new.jpg)
Unregistered Cockroach & Antkiller
What products are considered pesticides by EPA?
The legal definition of a pesticide is any substance or mixture of
substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating
any pest. Many household products are pesticides and can include kitchen,
laundry, and bath disinfectants and sanitizers. Products that kill
mold and mildew are also considered pesticides.
How do I know if a pesticide is illegal?
Legal products are registered with the EPA and have on the label
an EPA Registration Number (EPA Reg. No.) and an EPA
Establishment Number (EPA Est. No.). The label also has instructions
for the correct use and disposal of the product. These instructions must
be in English. Additional languages on the instructions are allowed.
![Unregistered Mosquito Coils](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090511230516im_/http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/images/mosquito_coil_new.jpg)
Unregistered Mosquito Coils
Why should I be concerned?
Not only is selling or distributing these products illegal, it may
also put the public, especially children, at risk of being poisoned.
In addition to the public health hazards, the sale and/or distribution
of an unregistered pesticide may result in a civil penalty
of up to $5,500 for each sale. EPA routinely issues
fines to retail marketplaces selling illegal pesticides.
What should I do if I currently have illegal products?
Do not throw them away. Contact your local Hazardous Waste Collection Facility.
There may be a fee for disposal, but there are often programs to help businesses
who produce small quantities of hazardous waste. Ask about the possibility
of this option when you contact your local facility.
Who can I contact if I have further questions about pesticides?
Questions should be directed by email
to EPA's Pesticide Program.