Products claiming to protect users against microbes, such as
those that are currently being used to protect us from COVID-19,
are flying off the shelves. Manufacturers of these products must
comply with regulations governing the use of such pesticides. One
of said regulations is the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
Under FIFRA, EPA regulates all pesticides distributed or sold in
the United States. EPA defines a pesticide as a product that is
intended for: (i) preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating
any pest; (ii) use as a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant;
or (iii) use as a nitrogen stabilizer. FIFRA generally requires
that pesticide products be registered (licensed) by EPA.
