Antimicrobial Pesticide Registration
What Are Antimicrobial Pesticides
An antimicrobial pesticide is intended to disinfect, sanitize, reduce, or mitigate growth or development of microbiological organisms or protect inanimate objects, industrial processes or systems, surfaces, water, or other chemical substances from contamination, fouling, or deterioration caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, algae, or slime.
Wood preservatives and anti-foulants are classified as antimicrobial pesticides if the products have antimicrobial claims. Other wood preservative, anti-foulant, agricultural fungicide, and aquatic herbicide products are either classified as conventionals or biopesticides. Learn More>>>
Pre-Application Meeting
Before assembling an application for product registration or an amendment to a product registration, an applicant or registrant should first consider scheduling a pre-application meeting. The pre-application meeting provides an opportunity to discuss and confirm the data and labeling requirements that apply to that application. To schedule a meeting, please go to the Antimicrobials Division Contact List for the Antimicrobial Division Ombudsman or the appropriate Product Team contact person. More information about pre-application meetings.
Requirements
Requirements for All Applicants
- Overview of Requirements for Pesticide Registration and Registrant Obligations
- Data Requirements
- Labeling
- Forms
Additional Requirements for Antimicrobials
- Additional Considerations for Antimicrobial Products
- Efficacy Requirements for Antimicrobial Pesticides
Guidance Documents
- Antimicrobial Policy and Guidance Documents
- Harmonized Test Guidelines
- Pesticide Registration Notices
- Label guidance for specific types of pesticides
Antimicrobial Testing Program
In response to recommendations from the Office of Inspector General (OIG), EPA is suspending the active product sample collection and routine testing done by the Antimicrobial Testing Program (ATP). In September 2016, the OIG recommended suspension of the Agency’s product testing program until EPA completes the re-registration process for antimicrobial pesticides and develops a risk-based strategy to ensure the effectiveness of public health pesticides used in hospital settings once products are in the marketplace.
EPA implemented the ATP to ensure that EPA-approved hospital disinfectants, sterilants and tuberculocidal products in the marketplace would continue to meet stringent efficacy standards. Under the testing program, EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs’ laboratories or state laboratories under contract to the Agency tested samples of EPA-registered hospital sterilants, disinfectants and tuberculocidal products. As a result of this program, products that did not meet the Agency’s efficacy performance standards were brought into compliance through regulatory or enforcement measures.