Reduced Residue Chemistry Data Requirements for Seed-Treatment Uses
For Release: February 1, 2018
EPA, in collaboration with the Health Canada Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), analyzed seed-treatment residue data that have been submitted to EPA and PMRA. The analysis showed that the data required to support registration could be substantially reduced and still be protective of human health.
EPA is publishing new guidance, including a tiered approach to help manufacturers and EPA determine when the number of field trials can be reduced to register seed treatment uses. EPA created two decision trees detailing the processes: one for potato seed treatments only and another one for all remaining crops. A case study supported the reduction in field trials and demonstrated how the seed-treatment decision trees would affect the ultimate number of field trials required.
Based on the decision trees, both manufacturers and the agency can potentially save considerable resources in terms of conducting, submitting, and reviewing the studies while still obtaining the data necessary to support seed-treatment pesticide registrations.
The outlined procedure and memo document will supersede EPA’s previous guidance ("Classification of Seed Treatments as Food or Nonfood Uses," dated 10/28/99).