Chlorpyrifos and EPA Registration Review

Why Is Chlorpyrifos Undergoing EPA Regulatory Review?

Chlorpyrifos completed its last cycle of EPA regulatory review in August 2006, with all current agricultural uses reauthorized. The following year, however, EPA initiated a new 15-year cycle of regulatory reevaluations for all pesticides.

As part of this cycle, EPA began evaluating chlorpyrifos once again in 2009 under a process that is expected to run until 2015. This process, known as Registration Review, is similar to previous EPA reevaluations but places greater emphasis on transparency and public participation and includes consideration of the latest scientific and regulatory developments.

How Will this EPA Review of Chlorpyrifos Be Different?

EPA completed a first cycle of chlorpyrifos reevaluation under the old “Reregistration Program” in 2006, after more than 20 years of review (began in 1984).  Comprehensive review of human health and environmental issues during the Reregistration period resulted in reauthorization of all current agricultural uses of chlorpyrifos.  EPA’s new Registration Review program will consider the most recently available scientific studies, new approaches to characterizing and reducing uncertainties, and evolving regulatory guidelines and policies.