Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Fact Sheet

This fact sheet provides an overview of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), including EPA pesticide registration, labeling requirements, and compliance considerations for retailers. Updated May 2026.

Overview

The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) is the major U.S. law regulating pesticides. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations implementing FIFRA can be found at 40 CFR Parts 150 to 180. Under FIFRA, the EPA is responsible for registering or licensing pesticide products for distribution, sale, and use in the United States. 

Retailers that purchase, store, sell, or dispose of pesticides must be aware of registration, labeling, and other pesticide management requirements. Pesticides are defined broadly and include products that everyone recognizes as pesticides, but some stores may sell pesticides and not realize it. The EPA has brought a number of enforcement cases against retailers for selling pesticides that do not comply with FIFRA requirements. 

This fact sheet applies to federal standards. Some states require registration of pesticides and devices in addition to EPA registration. Some states may also require registration of pesticides that the EPA does not regulate, or they may have other regulations that apply to pesticides or pesticide devices. Check with your state pesticide regulatory agency. The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) lists contact information for the state agencies that regulate pesticides.