We have extended the Design for the Environment Antimicrobial Pesticide Pilot until May 3, 2017. 

• How to participate in the pesticide DfE program
• What the DfE logo means on antimicrobial product labels
• Active ingredients approved for use in products for DfE pesticide pilot
• Authorized use of the DfE logo and consequences of unauthorized use
• List of authorized DfE products
• EPA asks for public input on how this pilot project can be improved
• Additional information

How to Participate in the Pesticide DfE Program

• Pesticide registrants wishing to take part in this program should follow the instructions to apply for the DfE Logo on Antimicrobial pesticide labels. In addition, you will need to provide test results demonstrating effectiveness on hard, nonporous surfaces against microorganisms that pose a threat to human health for which the product has label claims.
• As part of the application package specified in the instructions, you will need to submit a certification.

What the DfE Logo Means on Antimicrobial Product Labels

EPA does not consider the logo to be an endorsement. By their very nature, most pesticides have the potential to pose hazards to human health or the environment. This is particularly the case if the label instructions are not followed precisely. Because of this, we cannot say that any registered pesticide is safe under all circumstances. However, if you see the DfE logo on an EPA-authorized antimicrobial pesticide label, you can be assured that the product:

• is in the least-hazardous classes (i.e., III and IV) of EPA’s acute toxicity category hierarchy;
• is unlikely to have carcinogenic or endocrine disruptor properties;
• is unlikely to cause developmental, reproductive, mutagenic, or neurotoxicity issues;
• EPA has reviewed and accepted mixtures, including inert ingredients;
• does not require the use of Agency-mandated personal protective equipment;
• has no unresolved or unreasonable adverse effects reported;
• has no unresolved efficacy failures (associated with the Antimicrobial Testing Program or otherwise);
• has no unresolved compliance or enforcement actions associated with it; and
• has the identical formulation as the one identified in the DfE application reviewed by EPA.

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Active Ingredients for Use in Products for DfE Pesticide Pilot

• Products composed of one or more of the active ingredients listed below may be considered for the DfE logo. Products composed of one or more of these active ingredients may be considered for the DfE logo.
• If you have an active ingredient that you would like to be considered for the DfE logo, please contact Bridget Williams (williams.bridget@epa.gov) or 202-564-8558.
• Note: The product and inert ingredients in the formulation will be reviewed against the Safer Choice standard.

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Authorized Use of the DfE Logo and Consequences of Unauthorized Use

Antimicrobial pesticides that meet the requirements for including the DfE logo on the product label are only authorized to display the logo. No other claims, terms, words, or images implying safety are allowed unless we expressly authorize them. If you see a pesticide product that appears not to comply with this authorized use, please contact EPA’s Regional Office in your area to report potentially illegal products.

Using the logo associated with a pesticide product without having prior approval would be a violation under FIFRA, and EPA may take action as part of its FIFRA enforcement program. Also, unauthorized use of the DfE logo could be handled under Safer Choice procedures.

Unauthorized use of an EPA mark, for example, placing the DfE logo on a product prior to its being qualified to participate in the OPP-DfE pilot, constitutes fraud and is punishable as a crime.  It is the responsibility of EPA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) to investigate allegations of fraud relating to an Agency logo and refer cases to regional and state counsel for prosecution. DfE will bring all cases of fraud involving the logo to the OIG. Currently, DfE has one fraud case in the OIG system.

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List of Authorized DfE Products

The following are the products that we have certified as qualifying for inclusion of the DfE logo on the label. Inclusion on this list does not constitute an endorsement by EPA.

Pesticide products are often marketed under more than one name. Use the EPA Registration Number rather than the product name to check on the approval status of a product. If the EPA Registration Number has three parts (xxx-xxx-xxx), use only the first two parts, as the last part indicates the "distributor" of the product, not the main registrant. See more information about supplemental distribution.

You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA’s About PDF page to learn more.

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EPA Asks for Public Input on How This Pilot Project Can be Improved

We are accepting comments on the Design for the Environment Antimicrobials Pesticide Pilot Project during the duration of the project. If you have comments or suggestions about the project or how it might be improved, please contact Jacqueline Hardy (hardy.jacqueline@epa.gov).

Additional Information

• Questions about the DfE Antimicrobial Pilot

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