FIFRA Section 18 - Pesticide Emergency Use Exemptions

Majority of requests are for Specific Exemptions.

• Requested when an emergency condition exists, in order to avert a significant economic loss, or a significant risk to the environment, which may include risks to endangered or threatened species and beneficial organisms.
• Growers or agricultural research scientists identify a pest situation that available tools (including registered pesticides) will not alleviate.
• State lead pesticide agency requests an Emergency Exemption from EPA.
• EPA evaluates the request and decides whether or not to authorize the use.
• Specific Exemptions may be authorized for up to one year.

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• Requested to control the introduction or spread of an invasive pest species not previously known to occur in the United States and its territories.
• "Emergency” based on the need to prevent the introduction or spread of a harmful invasive species.
• Quarantine Exemptions may be authorized for up to three years.

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• Requested to control a pest that will cause a significant risk to human health.
• Emergency is based upon the risk to human health presented by the pest.
• Public Health Exemptions may be authorized for up to one year.

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• Requested when there is an immediate need for a Specific, Quarantine, or Public Health Exemption.
• Following communication confirming EPA’s concurrence, the State or Federal agency may issue a Crisis Exemption allowing the unregistered use to proceed for up to 15 days.
• EPA concurrence confirms that the required safety findings can be made.
• A Crisis Exemption may be “stand-alone” or may be allowed in conjunction with a full request for a Specific, Quarantine, or Public Health Emergency Exemption. If such a full request is submitted, use is allowed to continue under the Crisis Exemption until EPA makes a decision on the request for a Specific, Quarantine, or Public Health Exemption.

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