In the
Federal Register on January 4, 2017, US EPA published a Final Rule to update the certification requirements for applicators of restricted-use pesticides (RUPs) under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
Certification and Re-certification for Pesticide Applicators
In its proposed rule,
published in Summer 2015, US EPA recommended a certification period of 3 years for pesticide applicators. In addition, EPA proposed to require pesticide applicators to complete Continuing Education Units, or CEUs, as part of renewing that certification.
In the
Final Rule, EPA has expanded the certification period to 5 years, instead of 3. The CEU requirement has been removed and replaced with a framework for certifying authorities (states, Tribal organizations, universities, etc.) to use in developing a recertification program.
Certification for Specific Application Methods
The Final Rule also lays out specific categories and subcategories of certification for certain methods of pesticide application deemed high risk, such as aerial application, soil and non-soil fumigation, and more.
Minimum Age for Applying RUPs
As EPA proposed in 2015, this Final Rule establishes a minimum age of 18 years for private and commercial applicators as well as noncertified applicators working under direct supervision.
There is one exception to the minimum age requirement: The minimum age for noncertified applicators using RUPs under the supervision of a private applicator who is an immediate family member is 16.
Applying RUPs Under Supervision
To apply pesticides under the supervision of a certified applicator, noncertified applicators will be required to demonstrate competency by completing pesticide safety training for handlers as required by the EPA’s Worker Protection Standard, or WPS, at 40 CFR 170.
Recordkeeping for Commercial Applicators
The Final Rule requires commercial applicators of restricted-use pesticides to maintain records of training and qualifications for noncertified applicators using RUPs under direct supervision.
Read the Final Rule in the Federal Register here.
This Month! Environmental Compliance Training in NJ, Philly, Boston, Hartford, and more
Managing site compliance with the many complex EPA programs that affect your business—from the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts to TSCA, FIFRA, EPCRA, and more—is a major challenge. If you’re new to the field, or need an update on changing EPA rules, the
Complete Environmental Regulations Workshop will help you identify the requirements that apply to your facility and make decisions that put your team in a position to succeed.
Planning for next year? The 2017 schedule is available now and includes a workshop in our
new Environmental Training Center in Sparta, NJ! Register to receive a full year of Lion Membership for complete on-the-job compliance support.