Proposed or New Rules, Policies, and Guidance Affecting Agriculture

Related Information

Rules, Policies, and Guidance of Interest to the Agricultural Community:

Below are rules, policies, and documents that EPA is proposing and has opened for public comment; for which the comment period has closed; or that have been published as final. Comments are solicited from the public before EPA issues final versions.

Initiated Rulemaking

  • There is no initiated rulemaking at this time.

Public Comment Period Open

  • Isoxaflutole FDMS Posting Memo; Comment period extended to close August 11, 2026
    The EPA received an application from BASF Corporation (BASF), for the registration of the herbicide, isoxaflutole for a new use on isoxaflutole-resistant cotton, and for a geographic expansion of the current registration for use on isoxaflutole-resistant soybean. Isoxaflutole is an HPPD inhibitor that controls broadleaf and grass weed species. The document “Memorandum Supporting Proposed Decision to Approve Registration for the Cotton New Use and Geographic Expansion of Soybean Use of Isoxaflutole” and its supporting documents will be open for public comment from 06/26/2026 to 07/27/2026.
  • Florpyrauxifen-benzyl First Residential Use Posting Memo for Public Participation; Comment period extended to close August 10, 2026
    The Agency received applications from Corteva Agriscience, LLC. for registration of new products containing the herbicide florpyrauxifen-benzyl, for new uses on residential turf, commercial sports/athletic turf, golf courses (tee boxes, fairways, aprons, roughs, and native area), sod farms, ornamental turfgrass, and turfgrass areas in public and private facilities. The document Memorandum Supporting Proposed Decision to Approve Registration for the First Residential Use of Florpyrauxifen-benzyl and its supporting documents will be open for public comment from 06/26/2026 to 08/10/2026.
  • Draft Guidance for Reducing Risk from Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS) in Biosolids; Comment period closes September 4, 2026
    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making available a draft memorandum that would, if finalized, provide guidance to operators of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and related facilities, landowners and farmers, State and Tribal water agencies, and the public on ways to reduce potential risks posed by perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in biosolids, as well as seeking feedback on potential next steps. The EPA is soliciting public comments on the draft memorandum and next steps for 60 days. This draft guidance memorandum does not have the force and effect of law, nor does it bind the public in any way. This draft guidance memorandum cannot be relied on by any person in litigation against the United States. The intent of draft guidance memorandum is to provide non-binding or voluntary recommendations for how to mitigate risks from PFOA and PFOS in sewage sludge and biosolids based on information currently available to the EPA.

Public Comment Period Closed

  • Topramezone Posting Memo for Public Participation; Comment period closes July 27, 2026
    The EPA received an application from BASF Corporation (BASF), for the registration of the herbicide, topramezone, for a new use on genetically modified (GMO) Axant™ Flex topramezone-resistant cotton. Topramezone is a 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) inhibitor that controls broadleaf weeds, including Palmer amaranth and other pigweeds. The document “Memorandum Supporting Proposed Decision to Approve Registration for the Cotton New Use of Topramezone” and its supporting documents will be open for public comment from 06/26/2026 to 07/27/2026.
  • Draft Fungicide Strategy to Reduce Exposure of Federally Listed Endangered and Threatened Species and Designated Critical Habitats from the Use of Conventional Agricultural Fungicides; Comment period closed June 29, 2026
    The draft Fungicide Strategy (FS) describes the analyses conducted to estimate exposure and assess 1) the potential impacts, both directly and indirectly, of a fungicide to listed species groups and 2) the extent of mitigations needed to reduce population-level impacts on the listed species groups. The draft FS is informed by a mitigation support document that includes various measures in a menu to reduce exposure to listed species from spray drift, runoff, and erosion. These mitigation measures apply to conventional agricultural pesticides covered by both the Insecticide Strategy and Herbicide Strategy. Finally, the draft FS provides information on identifying the geographic extent of mitigation and describes the implementation plan for the Strategy.
  • Updated Definition of “Waters of the United States”; Comment period closed January 5, 2026
    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of the Army (“the agencies”) are publishing for public comment a proposed rule revising the regulations defining the scope of waters federally covered under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, also known as the Clean Water Act, in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. With this proposed rule, the agencies intend to provide greater regulatory certainty and increase Clean Water Act program predictability and consistency by clarifying the definition of “waters of the United States.” This proposed rule is also intended to implement the overall objective of the Clean Water Act to restore and maintain the quality of the Nation's waters while respecting State and Tribal authority over their own land and water resources.
  • Pesticide Tolerance; Exemptions, Petitions, Revocations, etc.: Chlorpyrifos; Comment period closed March 24, 2025
    In the Federal Register of December 10, 2024, EPA issued a proposed rule to revoke all tolerances for residues of chlorpyrifos, except for those associated with the use of chlorpyrifos on the following crops: alfalfa, apple, asparagus, tart cherry, citrus, cotton, peach, soybean, strawberry, sugar beet, and spring and winter wheat. The proposal also addresses the request to revoke all chlorpyrifos tolerances contained in the September 12, 2007, petition submitted by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA).
  • Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Labeling Requirements for Certain Minimum Risk Pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act; Comment period closed February 11, 2025
    In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), this document announces the availability of and solicits public comment on the following Information Collection Request (ICR) that EPA is planning to submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): “Labeling Requirements for Certain Minimum Risk Pesticides Under FIFRA Section 25(b),” identified by EPA ICR No. 2475.05 and OMB Control No. 2070-0187. This ICR represents a renewal of an existing ICR that is currently approved through August 31, 2025. Before submitting the ICR to OMB for review and approval under the PRA, EPA is soliciting comments on specific aspects of the information collection that is summarized in this document. The ICR and accompanying material are available in the docket for public review and comment.
  • Formaldehyde; Draft Risk Evaluation Peer Review by the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC); Notice of Availability, Public Meetings and Request for Comment; Comment period closed May 14, 2024 
    The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or “Agency”) is announcing the availability of and soliciting public comment on the 2024 draft risk evaluation for formaldehyde prepared under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The draft risk evaluation is available for public review and comment. It will also be submitted to the SACC for peer review. EPA is also announcing that there will be two virtual public meetings of the SACC. The SACC will consider and review the draft risk evaluation at a 4-day virtual peer review public meeting that will be held on May 20–23, 2024. In addition, a virtual preparatory public meeting will be held on May 7, 2024, for the SACC to consider the scope and clarity of the draft charge questions for the peer review.
  • Pesticide Product Registration: Application for New Use; Comment period closed June 3, 2024
    EPA has received an application proposing to register new uses for a new pesticide product containing a currently registered active ingredient. Pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is hereby providing notice of receipt and opportunity to comment on this application.  
  • Pesticide Registration Review: Draft Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessments for Formaldehyde and Paraformaldehyde; Comment period closed June 18, 2024
    This notice announces the availability of EPA's draft human health and ecological risk assessments for the registration review of formaldehyde and paraformaldehyde and opens a 60-day public comment period on this document. 
  • Pesticide Registration Review; Proposed Decisions for Several Pesticides; Notice of Availability; Comment period closed July 1, 2024
    This notice announces the availability of EPA's proposed interim decisions (PIDs) and amended PIDs for the following pesticides: Acephate, Captan, Ferbam, Thiram, and Ziram. EPA is opening a 60-day public comment period for these proposed interim registration review decisions. 

Final Rule Published

  • Pesticides; Agricultural Worker Protection Standard; Reconsideration of the Application Exclusion Zone Amendments; Final Rule published October 4, 2024; Effective December 3, 2024
    The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is finalizing revisions to the application exclusion zone (AEZ) requirements in the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS). EPA has determined that several aspects of the AEZ provisions, such as those regarding the applicability of the AEZ and distance determination criteria, should be revised to reinstate previous requirements that better protect public health and limit exposure for those who may be near ongoing pesticide applications. To restore these protections, EPA is finalizing the AEZ rule proposed on March 13, 2023, as proposed without change.

Notice Published

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Last updated on August 3, 2026