Today, EPA is launching a new voluntary process by which registrants can opt to make legally valid pesticide labeling accessible online. Until now, no version of online labeling has been legally valid for the purpose of making a pesticide application.

This Web-distributed labeling system will initially focus on agricultural and industrial pesticides and professional applicators.

Electronic or online labeling – called Web-distributed labeling – will allow pesticide applicators to download streamlined labeling, including instructions specific to the state and the use site where an application will be made.

Labels accompanying pesticide products in stores can include more than 30 pages of instruction. This new process will allow for online access to portions of the label such as directions for use, first aid and environmental statements for certain use sites.

Web-distributed labeling should provide:

• Improved compliance with the instructions on pesticide labels by making labels easier to access, read and comprehend

• Quicker implementation of measures to protect public health and the environment

• Faster access to new pesticide uses

• Lower costs for Industry and the EPA

The actual labeling on the container will not be shortened in any way with the addition of Web-distributed labeling. The Pesticide Registration Notice (PR Notice 2014-1) is effective immediately.

For more information, please see the announcement in the Federal Register  or http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/regulating/labels/distribution/.