EPA is allowing companies to apply for permission to include the new repellency awareness graphic on product labels of skin-applied insect repellents. This graphic is intended to help consumers easily identify the repellency time for mosquitos and ticks. Use of the graphic by manufacturers will be voluntary and available for qualifying companies. EPA will review products that apply to use the graphic to ensure that their scientific data meet current testing protocols and standard evaluation practices.

Current labeling of skin-applied insect repellent products does not allow for easily identifying the insects repelled by a product and the amount of time a product will repel insects. Over the past few years, EPA has:

• held focus groups;
• gotten input through an on line survey; and
• worked with manufacturers and others to create this graphic.

EPA recently accepted public comments on the graphic, which are available for viewing at docket number EPA-HQ-OPP-2013-0406.  Thank you to those who commented on the graphic! Your input will help guide our work.

Look for the graphic to appear on skin-applied insect repellent labels in 2016!

• What Does the Graphic Look Like?
• Benefits of the Graphic
• How Can A Company Participate?

What Does the Graphic Look Like?

You may see one of three versions of the graphic on a product label showing mosquitoes, ticks, or mosquitoes and ticks are repelled.

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Benefits of the Graphic

1. Protection
   • ​The repellency awareness graphic can help people protect themselves. Mosquitoes and ticks may carry diseases, such as West Nile virus and Lyme disease.
   • The best way to protect yourself and your family is to avoid bites!
   • Insect repellents can discourage mosquitoes, ticks and other biting insects from landing on you. Also see:
     • Tips to prevent mosquito bites
     • Tips to prevent tick bites
2. Information
   • The graphic will identify the type of pest the product is expected to repel and the amount of time the repellent will be effective. The repellency awareness graphic will be available only for skin-applied insect repellent products.
   • You may see one of three versions of the graphic on a product label showing that mosquitoes, ticks, or mosquitoes AND ticks are repelled.
   
   
   
    

   

   The Repellency Awareness graphic will provide clear information about repellency on a product label to help you choose an insect repellent.

3. Choice
   • Some repellents work longer than others. Choose a product with a protection time that works for your expected activity.
4. Confidence
   • The number(s) shown in the graphic represent typical protection time(s).
   • Protection time(s) are based on multiple, reliable studies. Products with this graphic have gone through an extra review by EPA.

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How Can A Company Participate?

• Participation in including the graphic on the label is voluntary.
• A company must provide new or cite existing scientific data to support their proposed graphic that EPA will evaluate to ensure that their scientific data meet current testing protocols and standard evaluation processes.
• Companies interested in participating should review the guidance document and are encouraged to contact us.

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