<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?>
<REGINFO_RIN_DATA xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" RUN_DATE="2026-10-22-04:00" xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="https://www.reginfo.gov/public/xml/REGINFO_XML_Ver10262011.xsd">
    <RIN_INFO>
        <RIN>2070-AJ20</RIN>
        <PUBLICATION>
            <PUBLICATION_ID>200710</PUBLICATION_ID>
            <PUBLICATION_TITLE>The Regulatory Plan and the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions</PUBLICATION_TITLE>
        </PUBLICATION>
        <AGENCY>
            <CODE>2070</CODE>
            <NAME>Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances</NAME>
            <ACRONYM>OPPTS</ACRONYM>
        </AGENCY>
        <PARENT_AGENCY>
            <CODE>2000</CODE>
            <NAME>Environmental Protection Agency</NAME>
            <ACRONYM>EPA</ACRONYM>
        </PARENT_AGENCY>
        <RULE_TITLE>Pesticides; Competency Standards for Occupational Users</RULE_TITLE>
        <ABSTRACT><![CDATA[The EPA is proposing change to federal regulations guiding the certified pesticide applicator program (40 CFR 171). Change is sought to strengthen the regulations to better protect pesticide applicators and the public and the environment from harm due to pesticide exposure. Changes may include having certain occupational users of pesticides demonstrate competency by meeting minimum competency requirements. The need for change arose from EPA discussions with key stakeholders. EPA has been in extensive discussions with stakeholders since 1997 when the Certification and Training Assessment Group (CTAG) was established. CTAG is a forum used by regulatory and academic stakeholders to discuss the current state of, and the need for improvements in, the national certified pesticide applicator program. Throughout these extensive interactions with stakeholders, EPA has learned of the need for changes to the regulation.]]></ABSTRACT>
        <PRIORITY_CATEGORY>Other Significant</PRIORITY_CATEGORY>
        <RIN_STATUS>Previously Published in The Unified Agenda</RIN_STATUS>
        <RULE_STAGE>Proposed Rule Stage</RULE_STAGE>
        <MAJOR>No</MAJOR>
        <UNFUNDED_MANDATE_LIST>
            <UNFUNDED_MANDATE>No</UNFUNDED_MANDATE>
        </UNFUNDED_MANDATE_LIST>
        <CFR_LIST>
            <CFR>40 CFR 171</CFR>
            <CFR>40 CFR 156</CFR>
            <CFR>40 CFR 152</CFR>
        </CFR_LIST>
        <LEGAL_AUTHORITY_LIST>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>7 USC 136</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>7 USC 136i</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>7 USC 136w</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
        </LEGAL_AUTHORITY_LIST>
        <LEGAL_DLINE_LIST/>
        <RPLAN_ENTRY>Yes</RPLAN_ENTRY>
        <RPLAN_INFO>
            <STMT_OF_NEED><![CDATA[The regulations governing the Federal and State certification of pesticide applicators, 40 CFR part 171, were originally promulgated in 1974. Since that time State certification programs have gone beyond the Federal regulations in a number of areas. The need for change arose from EPA discussions with key stakeholders. EPA has been in extensive discussions with stakeholders since 1997 when the Certification and Training Assessment Group (CTAG) was established. CTAG is a forum used by regulatory and academic stakeholders to discuss the current state of, and the need for improvements in, the national certified pesticide applicator program. Throughout these extensive interactions with stakeholders, EPA has learned of the need for changes to the regulation.  Stakeholders identified the need for a minimum standard of competency for all occupational users of pesticides as well as the establishment of standards for determination of applicator competency and continued competency.]]></STMT_OF_NEED>
            <LEGAL_BASIS><![CDATA[7 U.S.C. 136w]]></LEGAL_BASIS>
            <ALTERNATIVES><![CDATA[EPA is considering various alternatives to regulation change based upon stakeholder input. The Agency is in the formative stages of this regulatory effort, and alternatives have not yet been fully identified and evaluated.]]></ALTERNATIVES>
            <COSTS_AND_BENEFITS><![CDATA[EPA will develop an economic analysis to support this rule.]]></COSTS_AND_BENEFITS>
            <RISKS><![CDATA[The proposed regulation would require that certain occupational users of pesticides meet minimum competency standards and require additional competency determinations of those who use the most toxic pesticides in a manner that could result in significant exposure to the public. These changes would strengthen the regulations that protect pesticide applicators and the public from potential harm due to pesticide exposure.]]></RISKS>
        </RPLAN_INFO>
        <TIMETABLE_LIST>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>NPRM</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>12/00/2008</TTBL_DATE>
            </TIMETABLE>
        </TIMETABLE_LIST>
        <ADDITIONAL_INFO>SAN No. 5007</ADDITIONAL_INFO>
        <RFA_REQUIRED>Undetermined</RFA_REQUIRED>
        <SMALL_ENTITY_LIST>
            <SMALL_ENTITY>Businesses</SMALL_ENTITY>
        </SMALL_ENTITY_LIST>
        <GOVT_LEVEL_LIST>
            <GOVT_LEVEL>Federal</GOVT_LEVEL>
            <GOVT_LEVEL>State</GOVT_LEVEL>
            <GOVT_LEVEL>Tribal</GOVT_LEVEL>
        </GOVT_LEVEL_LIST>
        <FEDERALISM>No</FEDERALISM>
        <ENERGY_AFFECTED>No</ENERGY_AFFECTED>
        <PRINT_PAPER>No</PRINT_PAPER>
        <INTERNATIONAL_INTEREST>Not Collected</INTERNATIONAL_INTEREST>
        <AGENCY_CONTACT_LIST>
            <CONTACT>
                <FIRST_NAME>Kathy</FIRST_NAME>
                <LAST_NAME>Davis</LAST_NAME>
                <AGENCY>
                    <CODE>2070</CODE>
                    <NAME>Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention</NAME>
                    <ACRONYM>OCSPP</ACRONYM>
                </AGENCY>
                <PHONE>703 308-7002</PHONE>
                <FAX>703 308-2962</FAX>
                <EMAIL>davis.kathy@epa.gov</EMAIL>
                <MAILING_ADDRESS>
                    <STREET_ADDRESS>1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Mail Stop 7506P,</STREET_ADDRESS>
                    <CITY>Washington</CITY>
                    <STATE>DC</STATE>
                    <ZIP>20460</ZIP>
                </MAILING_ADDRESS>
            </CONTACT>
            <CONTACT>
                <FIRST_NAME>Richard</FIRST_NAME>
                <LAST_NAME>Pont</LAST_NAME>
                <AGENCY>
                    <CODE>2070</CODE>
                    <NAME>Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention</NAME>
                    <ACRONYM>OCSPP</ACRONYM>
                </AGENCY>
                <PHONE>703 305-6448</PHONE>
                <FAX>703 308-2962</FAX>
                <EMAIL>pont.richard@epa.gov</EMAIL>
                <MAILING_ADDRESS>
                    <STREET_ADDRESS>7506P,</STREET_ADDRESS>
                    <CITY>Washington</CITY>
                    <STATE>DC</STATE>
                    <ZIP>20460</ZIP>
                </MAILING_ADDRESS>
            </CONTACT>
        </AGENCY_CONTACT_LIST>
    </RIN_INFO>
</REGINFO_RIN_DATA>
