Which agency enforces pesticide labeling and registration in the United States?

• A. Environmental Protection Agency
• B. US Department of Agriculture
• C. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• D. National Institutes of Health

Answer: (A)

Pesticide labeling and registration enforcement in the United States is handled by the Environmental Protection Agency. Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the EPA reviews and registers pesticides, then requires product labels that provide the exact instructions, safety precautions, restricted-use classifications, and application rates. The label is a legal document, and following it is essential for safe and effective use; the EPA enforces these labeling requirements and can take action for misuse or mislabeling. Other agencies like the USDA, CDC, and NIH don’t enforce pesticide labeling or registration—USDA focuses on agriculture policy and pest management programs, while CDC and NIH concentrate on health research and disease prevention.