The US Environmental Protection Agency recently released final guidance detailing how it will assess the impacts of antimicrobial pesticides on endangered species, tightening protections while clarifying expectations for pesticide manufacturers.

 

The guidance lays out how EPA will evaluate endangered species risks when reviewing new active ingredients, new uses, and existing antimicrobial pesticide registrations. It fulfills requirements under the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act of 2022, known as PRIA 5, and adds new processes aimed at ensuring pesticide exposures do not harm federally listed species or their critical habitats.

 

While the document does not impose new legal requirements on pesticide registrants, it sets a clear roadmap for how companies should evaluate and address potential ecological risks. EPA officials say the guidance is intended to strengthen environmental safeguards and improve consistency in how endangered species concerns are handled across pesticide reviews.

 

PRIA 5 specifically directs EPA to issue guidance for assessing the effects of new outdoor pesticide uses on listed species and critical habitats. The agency went further, extending the framework to cover all antimicrobial uses—including indoor applications that could still reach the environment, such as industrial water treatments discharged into surface waters.

 

EPA finalized the guidance after a public comment period, during which stakeholders raised questions about its scope, applicability, and potential data implications. The agency said it reviewed those comments and revised the document where appropriate.

 

The final guidance emphasizes practical steps applicants can take, including label changes, to reduce or eliminate potential harm to endangered species. It also highlights points in the existing regulatory process where companies can engage with EPA early to discuss risks and mitigation strategies.

 

EPA stressed that endangered species evaluations are a core part of its broader human health and environmental reviews for every pesticide on the market, underscoring the agency’s commitment to balancing pest control needs with wildlife protection.