[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 40, Volume 23]

[Revised as of July 1, 2006]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 40CFR156.10]



[Page 55-61]

 

                   TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT

 

         CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED)

 

PART 156_LABELING REQUIREMENTS FOR PESTICIDES AND DEVICES--Table of 

Contents

 

                      Subpart A_General Provisions

 

Sec.  156.10  Labeling requirements.









                      Subpart A_General Provisions



Sec.

156.10 Labeling requirements.



Subparts B-C [Reserved]



           Subpart D_Human Hazard and Precautionary Statements



156.60 General.

156.62 Toxicity Category.

156.64 Signal word.

156.66 Child hazard warning.

156.68 First aid statement.

156.70 Precautionary statements for human hazards.

156.78 Precautionary statements for physical or chemical hazards.



       Subpart E_Environmental Hazard and Precautionary Statements



156.80 General.

156.85 Non-target organisms.



Subparts F-J [Reserved]



                 Subpart K_Worker Protection Statements



156.200 Scope and applicability.

156.203 Definitions.



[[Page 56]]



156.204 Modification and waiver of requirements.

156.206 General statements.

156.208 Restricted-entry statements.

156.210 Notification-to-workers statements.

156.212 Personal protective equipment statements.



    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 136-136y.







    (a) General--(1) Contents of the label. Every pesticide products 

shall bear a label containing the information specified by the Act and 

the regulations in this part. The contents of a label must show clearly 

and prominently the following:

    (i) The name, brand, or trademark under which the product is sold as 

prescribed in paragraph (b) of this section;

    (ii) The name and address of the producer, registrant, or person for 

whom produced as prescribed in paragraph (c) of this section;

    (iii) The net contents as prescribed in paragraph (d) of this 

section;

    (iv) The product registration number as prescribed in paragraph (e) 

of this section;

    (v) The producing establishment number as prescribed in paragraph 

(f) of this section;

    (vi) An ingredient statement as prescribed in paragraph (g) of this 

section;

    (vii) Hazard and precautionary statements as prescribed in subpart D 

of this part for human and domestic animal hazards and subpart E of this 

part for environmental hazards.

    (viii) The directions for use as prescribed in paragraph (i) of this 

section; and

    (ix) The use classification(s) as prescribed in paragraph (j) of 

this section.

    (2) Prominence and legibility. (i) All words, statements, graphic 

representations, designs or other information required on the labeling 

by the Act or the regulations in this part must be clearly legible to a 

person with normal vision, and must be placed with such conspicuousness 

(as compared with other words, statements, designs, or graphic matter on 

the labeling) and expressed in such terms as to render it likely to be 

read and understood by the ordinary individual under customary 

conditions of purchase and use.

    (ii) All required label text must:

    (A) Be set in 6-point or larger type;

    (B) Appear on a clear contrasting background; and

    (C) Not be obscured or crowded.

    (3) Language to be used. All required label or labeling text shall 

appear in the English language. However, the Agency may require or the 

applicant may propose additional text in other languages as is 

considered necessary to protect the public. When additional text in 

another language is necessary, all labeling requirements will be applied 

equally to both the English and other-language versions of the labeling.

    (4) Placement of Label--(i) General. The label shall appear on or be 

securely attached to the immediate container of the pesticide product. 

For purposes of this section, and the misbranding provisions of the Act, 

``securely attached'' shall mean that a label can reasonably be expected 

to remain affixed during the foreseeable conditions and period of use. 

If the immediate container is enclosed within a wrapper or outside 

container through which the label cannot be clearly read, the label must 

also be securely attached to such outside wrapper or container, if it is 

a part of the package as customarily distributed or sold.

    (ii) Tank cars and other bulk containers--(A) Transportation. While 

a pesticide product is in transit, the appropriate provisions of 49 CFR 

parts 170-189, concerning the transportation of hazardous materials, and 

specifically those provisions concerning the labeling, marking and 

placarding of hazardous materials and the vehicles carrying them, define 

the basic Federal requirements. In addition, when any registered 

pesticide product is transported in a tank car, tank truck or other 

mobile or portable bulk container, a copy of the accepted label must be 

attached to the shipping papers, and left with the consignee at the time 

of delivery.

    (B) Storage. When pesticide products are stored in bulk containers, 

whether mobile or stationary, which remain in the custody of the user, a 

copy of the



[[Page 57]]



label of labeling, including all appropriate directions for use, shall 

be securely attached to the container in the immediate vicinity of the 

discharge control valve.

    (5) False or misleading statements. Pursuant to section 2(q)(1)(A) 

of the Act, a pesticide or a device declared subject to the Act pursuant 

to Sec.  152.500, is misbranded if its labeling is false or misleading 

in any particular including both pesticidal and non-pesticidal claims. 

Examples of statements or representations in the labeling which 

constitute misbranding include:

    (i) A false or misleading statement concerning the composition of 

the product;

    (ii) A false or misleading statement concerning the effectiveness of 

the product as a pesticide or device;

    (iii) A false or misleading statement about the value of the product 

for purposes other than as a pesticide or device;

    (iv) A false or misleading comparison with other pesticides or 

devices;

    (v) Any statement directly or indirectly implying that the pesticide 

or device is recommended or endorsed by any agency of the Federal 

Government;

    (vi) The name of a pesticide which contains two or more principal 

active ingredients if the name suggests one or more but not all such 

principal active ingredients even though the names of the other 

ingredients are stated elsewhere in the labeling;

    (vii) A true statement used in such a way as to give a false or 

misleading impression to the purchaser;

    (viii) Label disclaimers which negate or detract from labeling 

statements required under the Act and these regulations;

    (ix) Claims as to the safety of the pesticide or its ingredients, 

including statements such as ``safe,'' ``nonpoisonous,'' 

``noninjurious,'' ``harmless'' or ``nontoxic to humans and pets'' with 

or without such a qualifying phrase as ``when used as directed''; and

    (x) Non-numerical and/or comparative statements on the safety of the 

product, including but not limited to:

    (A) ``Contains all natural ingredients'';

    (B) ``Among the least toxic chemicals known''

    (C) ``Pollution approved''

    (6) Final printed labeling. (i) Except as provided in paragraph 

(a)(6)(ii) of this section, final printed labeling must be submitted and 

accepted prior to registration. However, final printed labeling need not 

be submitted until draft label texts have been provisionally accepted by 

the Agency.

    (ii) Clearly legible reproductions or photo reductions will be 

accepted for unusual labels such as those silk-screened directly onto 

glass or metal containers or large bag or drum labels. Such 

reproductions must be of microfilm reproduction quality.

    (b) Name, brand, or trademark. (1) The name, brand, or trademark 

under which the pesticide product is sold shall appear on the front 

panel of the label.

    (2) No name, brand, or trademark may appear on the label which:

    (i) Is false or misleading, or

    (ii) Has not been approved by the Administrator through registration 

or supplemental registration as an additional name pursuant to Sec.  

152.132.

    (c) Name and address of producer, registrant, or person for whom 

produced. An unqualified name and address given on the label shall be 

considered as the name and address of the producer. If the registrant's 

name appears on the label and the registrant is not the producer, or if 

the name of the person for whom the pesticide was produced appears on 

the label, it must be qualified by appropriate wording such as ``Packed 

for * * *,'' ``Distributed by * * *,'' or ``Sold by * * *'' to show that 

the name is not that of the producer.

    (d) Net weight or measure of contents. (1) The net weight or measure 

of content shall be exclusive of wrappers or other materials and shall 

be the average content unless explicitly stated as a minimum quantity.

    (2) If the pesticide is a liquid, the net content statement shall be 

in terms of liquid measure at 68 [deg]F (20 [deg]C) and shall be 

expressed in conventional American units of fluid ounces, pints, quarts, 

and gallons.

    (3) If the pesticide is solid or semisolid, viscous or pressurized, 

or is a mixture of liquid and solid, the net content statement shall be 

in terms of



[[Page 58]]



weight expressed as avoirdupois pounds and ounces.

    (4) In all cases, net content shall be stated in terms of the 

largest suitable units, i.e., ``1 pound 10 ounces'' rather than ``26 

ounces.''

    (5) In addition to the required units specified, net content may be 

expressed in metric units.

    (6) Variation above minimum content or around an average is 

permissible only to the extent that it represents deviation unavoidable 

in good manufacturing practice. Variation below a stated minimum is not 

permitted. In no case shall the average content of the packages in a 

shipment fall below the stated average content.

    (e) Product registration number. The registration number assigned to 

the pesticide product at the time of registration shall appear on the 

label, preceded by the phrase ``EPA Registration No.,'' or the phrase 

``EPA Reg. No.'' The registration number shall be set in type of a size 

and style similar to other print on that part of the label on which it 

appears and shall run parallel to it. The registration number and the 

required identifying phrase shall not appear in such a manner as to 

suggest or imply recommendation or endorsement of the product by the 

Agency.

    (f) Producing establishments registration number. The producing 

establishment registration number preceded by the phrase ``EPA Est.'', 

of the final establishment at which the product was produced may appear 

in any suitable location on the label or immediate container. It must 

appear on the wrapper or outside container of the package if the EPA 

establishment registration number on the immediate container cannot be 

clearly read through such wrapper or container.

    (g) Ingredient statement--(1) General. The label of each pesticide 

product must bear a statement which contains the name and percentage by 

weight of each active ingredient, the total percentage by weight of all 

inert ingredients; and if the pesticide contains arsenic in any form, a 

statement of the percentages of total and water-soluble arsenic 

calculated as elemental arsenic. The active ingredients must be 

designated by the term ``active ingredients'' and the inert ingredients 

by the term ``inert ingredients,'' or the singular forms of these terms 

when appropriate. Both terms shall be in the same type size, be aligned 

to the same margin and be equally prominent. The statement ``Inert 

Ingredients, none'' is not required for pesticides which contain 100 

percent active ingredients. Unless the ingredient statement is a 

complete analysis of the pesticide, the term ``analysis'' shall not be 

used as a heading for the ingredient statement.

    (2) Position of ingredient statement. (i) The ingredient statement 

is normally required on the front panel of the label. If there is an 

outside container or wrapper through which the ingredient statement 

cannot be clearly read, the ingredient statement must also appear on 

such outside container or wrapper. If the size or form of the package 

makes it impracticable to place the ingredient statement on the front 

panel of the label, permission may be granted for the ingredient 

statement to appear elsewhere.

    (ii) The text of the ingredient statement must run parallel with 

other text on the panel on which it appears, and must be clearly 

distinguishable from and must not be placed in the body of other text.

    (3) Names to be used in ingredient statement. The name used for each 

ingredient shall be the accepted common name, if there is one, followed 

by the chemical name. The common name may be used alone only if it is 

well known. If no common name has been established, the chemical name 

alone shall be used. In no case will the use of a trademark or 

proprietary name be permitted unless such name has been accepted as a 

common name by the Administrator under the authority of section 

25(c)(6).

    (4) Statements of percentages. The percentages of ingredients shall 

be stated in terms of weight-to-weight. The sum of percentages of the 

active and the inert ingredients shall be 100. Percentages shall not be 

expressed by a range of values such as ``22-25%.'' If the uses of the 

pesticide product are expressed as weight of active ingredient per unit 

area, a statement of the weight of active ingredient per unit volume of 

the pesticide formulation shall also appear in the ingredient statement.



[[Page 59]]



    (5) Accuracy of stated percentages. The percentages given shall be 

as precise as possible reflecting good manufacturing practice. If there 

may be unavoidable variation between manufacturing batches, the value 

stated for each active ingredient shall be the lowest percentage which 

may be present.

    (6) Deterioration. Pesticides which change in chemical composition 

significantly must meet the following labeling requirements:

    (i) In cases where it is determined that a pesticide formulation 

changes chemical composition significantly, the product must bear the 

following statement in a prominent position on the label: ``Not for sale 

or use after [date].''

    (ii) The product must meet all label claims up to the expiration 

time indicated on the label.

    (7) Inert ingredients. The Administrator may require the name of any 

inert ingredient(s) to be listed in the ingredient statement if he 

determines that such ingredient(s) may pose a hazard to man or the 

environment.

    (h) [Reserved]

    (i) Directions for Use--(1) General requirements--(i) Adequacy and 

clarity of directions. Directions for use must be stated in terms which 

can be easily read and understood by the average person likely to use or 

to supervise the use of the pesticide. When followed, directions must be 

adequate to protect the public from fraud and from personal injury and 

to prevent unreasonable adverse effects on the environment.

    (ii) Placement of directions for use. Directions may appear on any 

portion of the label provided that they are conspicuous enough to be 

easily read by the user of the pesticide product. Directions for use may 

appear on printed or graphic matter which accompanies the pesticide 

provided that:

    (A) If required by the Agency, such printed or graphic matter is 

securely attached to each package of the pesticide, or placed within the 

outside wrapper or bag;

    (B) The label bears a reference to the directions for use in 

accompanying leaflets or circulars, such as ``See directions in the 

enclosed circular:'' and

    (C) The Administrator determines that it is not necessary for such 

directions to appear on the label.

    (iii) Exceptions to requirement for direction for use. (A) Detailed 

directions for use may be omitted from labeling of pesticides which are 

intended for use only by manufacturers of products other than pesticide 

products in their regular manufacturing processes, provided that:

    (1) The label clearly shows that the product is intended for use 

only in manufacturing processes and specifies the type(s) of products 

involved.

    (2) Adequate information such as technical data sheets or bulletins, 

is available to the trade specifying the type of product involved and 

its proper use in manufacturing processes;

    (3) The product will not come into the hands of the general public 

except after incorporation into finished products; and

    (4) The Administrator determines that such directions are not 

necessary to prevent unreasonable adverse effects on man or the 

environment.

    (B) Detailed directions for use may be omitted from the labeling of 

pesticide products for which sale is limited to physicians, 

veterinarians, or druggists, provided that:

    (1) The label clearly states that the product is for use only by 

physicians or veterinarians;

    (2) The Administrator determines that such directions are not 

necessary to prevent unreasonable adverse effects on man or the 

environment; and

    (3) The product is also a drug and regulated under the provisions of 

the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

    (C) Detailed directions for use may be omitted from the labeling of 

pesticide products which are intended for use only by formulators in 

preparing pesticides for sale to the public, provided that:

    (1) There is information readily available to the formulators on the 

composition, toxicity, methods of use, applicable restrictions or 

limitations, and effectiveness of the product for pesticide purposes;

    (2) The label clearly states that the product is intended for use 

only in manufacturing, formulating, mixing, or repacking for use as a 

pesticide and



[[Page 60]]



specifies the type(s) of pesticide products involved;

    (3) The product as finally manufactured, formulated, mixed, or 

repackaged is registered; and

    (4) The Administrator determines that such directions are not 

necessary to prevent unreasonable adverse effects on man or the 

environment.

    (2) Contents of Directions for Use. The directions for use shall 

include the following, under the headings ``Directions for Use'':

    (i) The statement of use classification as prescribed in paragraph 

(j) of this section immediately under the heading ``Directions for 

Use.''

    (ii) Immediately below the statement of use classification, the 

statement ``It is a violation of Federal law to use this product in a 

manner inconsistent with its labeling.''

    (iii) The site(s) of application, as for example the crops, animals, 

areas, or objects to be treated.

    (iv) The target pest(s) associated with each site.

    (v) The dosage rate associated with each site and pest.

    (vi) The method of application, including instructions for dilution, 

if required, and type(s) of application apparatus or equipment required.

    (vii) The frequency and timing of applications necessary to obtain 

effective results without causing unreasonable adverse effects on the 

environment.

    (viii) Worker protection statements meeting the requirements of 

subpart K of this part.

    (ix) Specific directions concerning the storage and disposal of the 

pesticide and its container, meeting the requirements of 40 CFR part 

165. These instructions shall be grouped and appear under the heading 

``Storage and Disposal.'' This heading must be set in type of the same 

minimum sizes as required for the child hazard warning. (See table in 

Sec.  162.10(h)(1)(iv))

    (x) Any limitations or restrictions on use required to prevent 

unreasonable adverse effects, such as:

    (A) Required intervals between application and harvest of food or 

feed crops.

    (B) Rotational crop restrictions.

    (C) Warnings as required against use on certain crops, animals, 

objects, or in or adjacent to certain areas.

    (D) For total release foggers as defined in paragraph (h)(2)(iii)(B) 

of this section, the following statements must be included in the 

``Directions for Use'':



    DO NOT use more than one fogger per room. DO NOT use in small, 

enclosed spaces such as closets, cabinets, or under counters or tables. 

Do not use in a room 5 ft.x5 ft. or smaller; instead, allow fog to enter 

from other rooms. Turn off ALL ignition sources such as pilot lights 

(shut off gas valves), other open flames, or running electrical 

appliances that cycle off and on (i.e., refrigerators, thermostats, 

etc.). Call your gas utility or management company if you need 

assistance with your pilot lights.''



    (E) For restricted use pesticides, a statement that the pesticide 

may be applied under the direct supervision of a certified applicator 

who is not physically present at the site of application but nonetheless 

available to the person applying the pesticide, unless the Agency has 

determined that the pesticide may only be applied under the direct 

supervision of a certified applicator who is physically present.

    (F) Other pertinent information which the Administrator determines 

to be necessary for the protection of man and the environment.

    (j) Statement of Use Classification. By October 22, 1976, all 

pesticide products must bear on their labels a statement of use 

classification as described in paragraphs (j) (1) and (2) of this 

section. Any pesticide product for which some uses are classified for 

general use and others for restricted use shall be separately labeled 

according to the labeling standards set forth in this subsection, and 

shall be marketed as separate products with different registration 

numbers, one bearing directions only for general use(s) and the other 

bearing directions for restricted use(s) except that, if a product has 

both restricted use(s) and general use(s), both of these uses may appear 

on a product labeled for restricted use. Such products shall be subject 

to the provisions of paragraph (j)(2) of this section.

    (1) General Use Classification. Pesticide products bearing 

directions for use(s) classified general shall be labeled with the exact 

words ``General



[[Page 61]]



Classification'' immediately below the heading ``Directions for Use.'' 

And reference to the general classification that suggests or implies 

that the general utility of the pesticide extends beyond those purposes 

and uses contained in the Directions for Use will be considered a false 

or misleading statement under the statutory definitions of misbranding.

    (2) Restricted Use Classification. Pesticide products bearing 

direction for use(s) classified restricted shall bear statements of 

restricted use classification on the front panel as described below:

    (i) Front panel statement of restricted use classification. (A) At 

the top of the front panel of the label, set in type of the same minimum 

sizes as required for human hazard signal words (see table in paragraph 

(h)(1)(iv) of this section), and appearing with sufficient prominence 

relative to other text and graphic material on the front panel to make 

it unlikely to be overlooked under customary conditions of purchase and 

use, the statement ``Restricted Use Pesticide'' shall appear.

    (B) Directly below this statement on the front panel, a summary 

statement of the terms of restriction imposed as a precondition to 

registration shall appear. If use is restricted to certified 

applicators, the following statement is required: ``For retail sale to 

and use only by Certified Applicators or persons under their direct 

supervision and only for those uses covered by the Certified 

Applicator's certification.'' If, however, other regulatory restrictions 

are imposed, the Administrator will define the appropriate wording for 

the terms of restriction by regulation.



[40 FR 28268, July 3, 1975; 40 FR 32329, Aug. 1, 1975; 40 FR 36571, Aug. 

21, 1975, as amended at 43 FR 5786, Feb. 9, 1978. Redesignated and 

amended at 53 FR 15991, 15999, May 4, 1988; 57 FR 38146, Aug. 21, 1992; 

60 FR 32096, June 19, 1995; 63 FR 9082, Feb. 23, 1998; 66 FR 64764, Dec. 

14, 2001]



Subparts B-C [Reserved]