Editing Pesticide (section)

==Regulation==
===International===
In many countries, pesticides must be approved for sale and use by a government agency.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |title=Radcliffe's IPM World Textbook |last=Willson |first=Harold R. |publisher=University of Minnesota |year=1996 |editor-last=Radcliffe |editor-first=E. B. |location=St. Paul |chapter=Pesticide Regulations |editor-last2=Hutchison |editor-first2=W. D. |editor-last3=Cancelado |editor-first3=R. E. |chapter-url=https://ipmworld.umn.edu/wilson-regulations |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713110412/https://ipmworld.umn.edu/wilson-regulations |archive-date=July 13, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://pest-aside.com.my/Act_149-Pesticides_Act_1974_Malaysia_Kota_Kinabalu.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704063557/http://pest-aside.com.my/Act_149-Pesticides_Act_1974_Malaysia_Kota_Kinabalu.pdf |archive-date=2018-07-04 |url-status=live |title=Laws of Malaysia. Act 149: Pesticides Act 1974 |date=Jun 1, 2015 |website=pest-aside.com.my |access-date=Dec 10, 2018}}</ref>

Worldwide, 85% of countries have pesticide legislation for the proper storage of pesticides and 51% include provisions to ensure proper disposal of all obsolete pesticides.<ref name="NationsOrganization2019">{{cite book |author1=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |author2=World Health Organization |title=Global situation of pesticide management in agriculture and public health: Report of a 2018 WHO–FAO survey |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tGe_DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA25 |date=14 November 2019 |publisher=Food & Agriculture Org. |isbn=978-92-5-131969-7 |pages=25–}}</ref>

Though pesticide regulations differ from country to country, pesticides, and products on which they were used are traded across international borders. To deal with inconsistencies in regulations among countries, delegates to a conference of the United Nations [[Food and Agriculture Organization]] adopted an International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides in 1985 to create voluntary standards of pesticide regulation for many countries.<ref name=":3" /> The Code was updated in 1998 and 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPP/Pesticid/Code/PM_Code.htm|title=Programmes: International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides|publisher=[[Food and Agriculture Organization|UN FAO]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202034101/http://www.fao.org/ag/agp/agpp/pesticid/Code/PM_Code.htm|archive-date=December 2, 2008|access-date=October 25, 2007}}</ref> The FAO claims that the code has raised awareness about pesticide hazards and decreased the number of countries without restrictions on pesticide use.<ref name="code">{{cite web |publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |date=2002 |url=http://www.fao.org/WAICENT/FAOINFO/AGRICULT/AGP/AGPP/Pesticid/Code/Download/code.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130404190746/http://www.fao.org/WAICENT/FAOINFO/AGRICULT/AGP/AGPP/Pesticid/Code/Download/code.pdf |archive-date=4 April 2013 |title=International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides}}</ref>

Three other efforts to improve regulation of international pesticide trade are the [[United Nations London Guidelines for the Exchange of Information on Chemicals in International Trade]] and the [[Codex Alimentarius|United Nations Codex Alimentarius Commission]]. The former seeks to implement procedures for ensuring that prior informed consent exists between countries buying and selling pesticides, while the latter seeks to create uniform standards for maximum levels of pesticide residues among participating countries.<ref>{{Cite journal |vauthors=Reynolds JD |date=1997 |title=International Pesticide Trade: Is There any Hope for the Effective Regulation of Controlled Substances? |journal=Journal of Land Use & Environmental Law |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=69–105 |url=http://www.law.fsu.edu/journals/landuse/vol131/reyn.html |jstor=42842699 |archive-date=May 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527062748/http://www.law.fsu.edu/journals/landuse/vol131/reyn.html |jstor-access=free}}</ref>

===United States===
{{Main|Pesticide regulation in the United States}}
[[File:Monsanto's Lasso herbicide (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Preparation for an [[pesticide application|application]] of hazardous herbicide in the US]]

In the [[United States]], the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA) is responsible for regulating pesticides under the [[Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act]] (FIFRA) and the [[Food Quality Protection Act]] (FQPA).<ref name="epa.gov">{{cite web |title=Pesticides and Public Health |url=http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/public.htm#regulation |date=2015-08-20 |website=Pesticides: Health and Safety |publisher=[[Environmental Protection Agency|US EPA]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114104958/http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/public.htm |archive-date=January 14, 2014 |access-date=Dec 10, 2018}}</ref>

Studies must be conducted to establish the conditions in which the material is safe to use and the effectiveness against the intended pest(s).<ref>{{cite web |title=Data Requirements for Pesticide Registration|date=2015-08-20|website=Pesticides: Regulating Pesticides |access-date=Dec 10, 2018 |url= http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/regulating/data_requirements.htm |publisher=[[Environmental Protection Agency|US EPA]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401081851/http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/regulating/data_requirements.htm |archive-date=April 1, 2013}}</ref> The EPA regulates pesticides to ensure that these products do not pose adverse effects to humans or the environment, with an emphasis on the health and safety of children.<ref name=":5">{{cite web |first1=Susan |last1=Wayland |first2=Penelope |last2=Fenner-Crisp |date=April 2020 |url=http://www.epaalumni.org/hcp/pesticides.pdf |title=Reducing Pesticide Risks: A Half Century of Progress |publisher=EPA Alumni Association |orig-date=March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022222635/http://www.epaalumni.org/hcp/pesticides.pdf |archive-date=2016-10-22 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Pesticides produced before November 1984 continue to be reassessed in order to meet the current scientific and regulatory standards. All registered pesticides are reviewed every 15 years to ensure they meet the proper standards.<ref name="epa.gov"/> During the registration process, a label is created. The label contains directions for proper use of the material in addition to safety restrictions. Based on acute toxicity, pesticides are assigned to a [[Toxicity Class]]. Pesticides are the most thoroughly tested chemicals after drugs in the United States; those used on food require more than 100 tests to determine a range of potential impacts.<ref name=":5" />

Some pesticides are considered too hazardous for sale to the general public and are designated [[restricted use pesticide]]s. Only certified applicators, who have passed an exam, may purchase or supervise the application of restricted use pesticides.<ref name=":3" /> Records of sales and use are required to be maintained and may be audited by government agencies charged with the enforcement of pesticide regulations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Protocol for Conducting Environmental Compliance Audits under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) |date=2011 |website=epa.gov |publisher=[[Environmental Protection Agency|US EPA]] |url=http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/policies/incentives/auditing/apcol-fifra.pdf |access-date=Dec 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801031141/http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/policies/incentives/auditing/apcol-fifra.pdf|archive-date=August 1, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |chapter-url=https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-01/documents/fiframanual.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921202142/http://www2.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-01/documents/fiframanual.pdf |archive-date=2015-09-21 |url-status=live |title=Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Inspection Manual |publisher=[[Environmental Protection Agency|US EPA]] |year=2013 |location=Washington |pages=11–1–11–4 |chapter=Ch. 11. Restricted-Use Pesticides: Dealer and Applicator Records Inspections}}</ref> These records must be made available to employees and state or territorial environmental regulatory agencies.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chemical Hazard Communication |date=1998 |url=https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3084.html |publisher=United States Department of Labor; [[Occupational Safety and Health Administration|OSHA]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.epa.gov/epcra |title=Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) |date=Jul 24, 2013 |publisher=[[Environmental Protection Agency|US EPA]] |access-date=Dec 10, 2018}}</ref>

In addition to the EPA, the [[United States Department of Agriculture]] (USDA) and the United States [[Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) set standards for the level of pesticide residue that is allowed on or in crops.<ref name="Regulations">{{cite web |url=http://ipm.ncsu.edu/safety/factsheets/laws.pdf |title=Federal Pesticide Laws and Regulations |date=Mar 1996 |publisher=North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403092424/http://ipm.ncsu.edu/safety/factsheets/laws.pdf |archive-date=April 3, 2015 |access-date=Dec 10, 2018 |last=Toth |first=Stephen J. Jr.}}</ref> The EPA looks at what the potential human health and environmental effects might be associated with the use of the pesticide.<ref name="EPA">{{cite web |title=Pesticide Registration Program |url=http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/registration.htm |date=2010 |website=Pesticides: Topical & Chemical Fact Sheets |publisher=[[Environmental Protection Agency|US EPA]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110212233949/http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/registration.htm |archive-date=February 12, 2011 |access-date=February 25, 2011}}</ref>

In addition, the U.S. EPA uses the National Research Council's four-step process for human health risk assessment: (1) Hazard Identification, (2) Dose-Response Assessment, (3) Exposure Assessment, and (4) Risk Characterization.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/riskassess.htm|title=Assessing Health Risks from Pesticides|date=Apr 5, 2007 |website=Pesticides: Topical & Chemical Fact Sheets|publisher=[[Environmental Protection Agency|US EPA]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140401031231/http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/riskassess.htm|archive-date=April 1, 2014 |access-date=Dec 10, 2018}}</ref>

In 2013 Kaua'i County (Hawai'i) passed Bill No. 2491 to add an article to Chapter 22 of the county's code relating to pesticides and GMOs. The bill strengthens protections of local communities in Kaua'i where many large pesticide companies test their products.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://media.wix.com/ugd/5f73cf_56e4e700de9ae57e7b709740824bbed4.pdf |title=Bill No. 2491, Draft 2 |publisher=Council of the County of Kaua'i |date=October 17, 2013}}</ref>

The first legislation providing federal authority for regulating pesticides was enacted in 1910.<ref name="Goldman 2007" />

===Canada===
{{main|Pest Management Regulatory Agency}}

===EU===
{{main|Regulation of pesticides in the European Union}}
EU legislation has been approved banning the use of highly toxic pesticides including those that are [[carcinogenic]], [[mutagenic]] or toxic to reproduction, those that are endocrine-disrupting, and those that are [[persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic substances|persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic]] (PBT) or very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) and measures have been approved to improve the general safety of pesticides across all EU member states.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Jan 13, 2009 |title=MEPs approve pesticides legislation |url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/066-45937-012-01-03-911-20090112IPR45936-12-01-2009-2009-false/default_en.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201195914/http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/066-45937-012-01-03-911-20090112IPR45936-12-01-2009-2009-false/default_en.htm |archive-date=February 1, 2009 |access-date=Dec 10, 2018 |website=europarl.europa.eu |publisher=EU Parliament}}</ref>

In 2023 The Environment Committee of European Parliament approved a decision aiming to reduce pesticide use by 50% (the most hazardous by 65%) by the year 2030 and ensure sustainable use of pesticides (for example use them only as a last resort). The decision also includes measures for providing farmers with alternatives.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hemingway Jaynes |first1=Cristen |title=EU Votes to Cut Pesticide Use in Half by 2030 |url=https://www.ecowatch.com/eu-pesticide-reduction-2030.html |access-date=6 November 2023 |website=Ecowatch |date=25 October 2023 |editor-last1=McDermott |editor-first1=Chris}}</ref>