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Biopesticides
On this page:
- What are biopesticides?
- Biopesticide registration information
- Plant-incorporated protectants (PIPs)
- Where can I find more Information on biopesticides?
Before a pesticide can be marketed and used in the United States, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) requires that EPA evaluate the proposed pesticide to assure that its use will not pose unreasonable risks of harm to human health and the environment. EPA also determines whether there is a reasonable certainty of no harm from pesticide residues in food or feed and sets tolerances, or exemptions from tolerances, for allowable residues of pesticides in food and animal feed under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act (FFDCA), as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA).
- Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
- Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act (FFDCA)
- Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA)
What are Biopesticides?
Biopesticides include naturally occurring substances that control pests (biochemical pesticides), microorganisms that control pests (microbial pesticides), and pesticidal substances produced by plants containing added genetic material (plant-incorporated protectants) or PIPs. Read more about what constitutes a biopesticide.
Additional information on biopesticide active ingredients are found in Pesticide Chemical Search. Enter an ingredient name and look under the "Regulatory Actions" tab for available information. You can also use the "Filter by Pesticide Type" link on the right side of the page to see a list of all biopesticides. From this list, you can access information about each ingredient.
Biopesticide Registration Information
The Pesticide Registration and Biopesticide Registration web pages provide links to information tools to assist applicants. Also see:
- Registration Manual Chapter on Additional Considerations for Biopesticide Products.
- FY2015 Work Plan for New Biopesticide Active Ingredients
- Labeling of Pesticide Products Under the National Organic Program (NOP).
An overview of biopesticide registration can also be found in Biopesticide Oversight and Registration at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from the American Chemical Society’s Symposium Series titled Biopesticides: State of the Art and Future Opportunities.
Plant-Incorporated Protectants (PIPs)
Plant-Incorporated Protectants are pesticidal substances produced by plants and the genetic material necessary for the plant to produce the substance. For example, scientists can take the gene for a specific Bt pesticidal protein, and introduce the gene into the plant's genetic material. Then the plant manufactures the pesticidal protein that controls the pest when it feeds on the plant. Both the protein and its genetic material are regulated by EPA; the plant itself is not regulated.
- Current & Previously Registered Section 3 PIP Registrations
- Regulation of Biotechnology for Pesticide Use
- Biopesticide Science Advisory Panel (SAP) Meetings
Where can I find more information on biopesticides?
Questions regarding biopesticides and biopesticide registration should be directed to the appropriate biopesticide Regulatory Action Leader found on the Biopesticide Contacts at EPA page or the BPPD ombudsperson by emailing BPPDquestions@epa.gov. If you have questions about conventional pesticides or antimicrobials, please contact the Ombudsman for the Registration Division or the Antimicrobial Division.
Additional information is available at:
- IR-4 Biopesticides & Organic Support Exit
- IR-4 Biopesticides and Organic Support Label Database Exit
- Biopesticide Demonstration Grant Program
- Regulation of Genetically Engineered Microorganisms Under FIFRA, FFDCA and TSCA in the book “Regulation of Agricultural Biotechnology: The United States and Canada” published by Springer. More information on this book. Exit
- NAFTA Revised Procedures for Joint Review of Microbials and Semiochemicals
- OECD - Guidance for Registration Requirements for Pheromones and Other Semiochemicals Used for Arthropod Pest Control February 26, 2002 (25 pp, 78 K) Exit
- FIFRA Scientific Advisory Panel meetings on biopesticides and biotechnology