All pesticides are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and before they can be used or sold in Minnesota they must be registered with the state. Under FIFRA pesticides are divided into four types and the process to register them with the State of Minnesota differs for each type.
The four pesticide types under FIFRA include:
- Section 3 Pesticides - Pesticides registered under Section 3 of FIFRA.
- Experimental Use - Under Section 5 of FIFRA experimental use permits can be given to test pesticides under development.
- Emergency Exemptions – Under Section 18 of FIFRA emergency exemptions can be given to use unregistered pesticides in a specific geographic area for a limited time if emergency pest conditions exist.
- Special Local Needs – Under Section 24(c) of FIFRA states can register a new pesticide product for any use or a federally registered product for an additional use, as long as there is both a demonstrated “special local need” and a tolerance, exemption from a tolerance, or other clearance under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
The MDA conducts state-level reviews of pesticide registrations to learn more about new pesticides and to better understand Minnesota-specific registration issues. Issues can include label concerns, and regional environmental or human health concerns shared by other states. View Special Registration Review for more information.
