The U.S. EPA's Development of Pesticide Container Regulations

The 1988 amendments to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) require EPA to conduct a study of pesticide containers, report the study results to Congress and promulgate container design and residue removal regulations. The study results were released in May 1992 in a document titled Pesticide Containers: A Report to Congress. This document classified pesticide containers into two major categories: nonrefillable and refillable. Currently, EPA is developing regulations on pesticide containers and containment. The standards for nonrefillable containers that are under consideration are intended to minimize worker exposure to pesticides during the handling of containers, ensure that containers can be emptied and rinsed effectively and facilitate the safe disposal of the containers. The draft refillable container requirements are intended to facilitate the use of strong and durable containers and minimize the potential for cross-contamination. The containment requirements under development are intended to prevent pesticide contamination of soil and water at certain bulk pesticide storage facilities and at retail locations where agricultural pesticides are repackaged into refillable containers.