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Import Tolerances
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Note: This information is provided for reference purposes only. Although the information provided here was accurate and current when first created, it is now outdated. |
Committee to Advise on
Reassessment and Transition
Paper # 21
EPA has proposed guidance on import tolerances
- On June 1, 2000, EPA published proposed guidance to help pesticide manufacturers and interested parties in other countries better understand how to obtain an import tolerance.
- The proposed guidance explains the steps that interested parties must take to obtain a new import tolerance or to maintain an existing tolerance as an import tolerance when the U.S. registration has been canceled other than for dietary risk concerns.
- Public comment on the proposal will be accepted until July 31, 2000.
- The guidance also presents EPA’s proposal to modify its approach to domestic registration to better account for residues on imported foods.
- This is an issue when imported foods make up a large proportion of U.S. consumption.
- EPA proposes to require additional residue data from importing countries in certain circumstances when needed to make a safety finding under the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), such as when domestic residue studies are not representative of growing conditions in other countries.
Import tolerances apply when no U.S. registration exists
- Import tolerances are statutorily the same as any other tolerance issued by EPA–the maximum residue level of a pesticide permitted in or on food or feed.
- Where no U.S. registration exists, interested persons may submit a petition requesting that EPA establish an import tolerance (or tolerance exemption) to allow treated food to be legally imported into the U.S.
- Import tolerances are necessary to ensure a safe food supply and promote international commerce.
For More Information
- Information on how EPA sets tolerances for pesticide residues is available. See "Protecting The Public From Pesticide Residues In Food" on our web page https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/protect.htm.
- EPA’s pesticides home page www.epa.gov/pesticides provides a wide variety of information on the regulation of pesticides.
- The Federal Register notice containing the draft guidance is available at https://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/2000/June/Day-01/p13708.htm.