Pesticides
DEC regulates pesticides and is responsible for compliance assistance, public outreach activities and, enforcement of the requirements in the Environmental Conservation Law.
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Enforcement Discretion - Applicators and Businesses
In April 2020, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (the Department) issued a letter announcing the Department would exercise its enforcement discretion (PDF - 366 KB) with respect to certain provisions of the 6 NYCRR Part 325 regulations. The Department took this action to alleviate hardships certified pesticide applicators and registered pesticide businesses and agencies were experiencing due to the COVID-19 emergency. The enforcement discretion letter indicated that it would expire 60 days after the expiration of the Department's Emergency Declaration, or any extensions issued thereto. The Department's Emergency Declaration expired on September 23, 2020. Therefore, this enforcement discretion will expire on November 23, 2020.
Upon expiration of this enforcement discretion, all provisions of 6 NYCRR Part 325 will be in effect, and any violation thereto will be subject to enforcement action by the Department. Beginning November 24, 2020, certified pesticide applicators will be required to have a valid, current certification identification (ID) card in their possession in order to make any commercial or private applications of pesticides and registered pesticide businesses and agencies will be required to have a current registration to operate as a pesticide business or agency.
The Department will continue to waive assessing six additional recertification ("penalty") credits for 90 days past the expiration of the enforcement discretion or until February 23, 2021. Please be aware, during the 90 day period, you may not apply pesticides without a valid certification ID card in your possession. Beginning February 24, 2021, the Department will assess penalty credits as prescribed in regulation.
Stakeholder Meetings - Pesticide Regulations
DEC recently held two stakeholder webinars to obtain input on potential changes to current pesticide regulations. Stakeholders were encouraged to take this opportunity to hear about the potential revisions, express views, provide input and participate in a collaborative effort to develop a comprehensive set of regulations.
Fact sheets (PDF - 253 KB), Slide Presentations (PDF - 482 KB), and a Comment Form (PDF - 36 KB) are available for those who are interested in participating in the process. Stakeholder input for pesticides regulations can be submitted by email to pestregs@dec.ny.gov. You may also provide input regarding aquatic pesticides regulations to AQpestregs@dec.ny.gov.
Dicamba Update
In light of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit decision (leaves DEC website) on June 3, 2020, which effectively cancelled the registrations of: Xtendimax with Vaporgrip Technology, EPA Reg. No. 524-617; Engenia, EPA Reg. No. 7969-345; and FeXapan, EPA Reg. No. 352-913, and the provisions of EPA's Cancellation Order (leaves DEC website) to implement that decision, DEC is taking the following actions:
Registration: The registrations of the three products will be cancelled as of July 31, 2020, in accordance with the provisions of ECL Section 33-0713.
Distribution or Sale: Distribution or sale of existing stocks of the three products shall be limited as follows:
- Distribution or sale by registrants is prohibited immediately, except for distribution for the purposes of proper disposal.
- Distribution or sale of products that are already in the possession of someone other than the registrant is permitted only for disposal or to facilitate return to the registrant or a registered establishment.
- Distribution or sale by commercial applicators is permitted to facilitate use no later than July 31, 2020.
Use: All use, including storage of opened containers, is prohibited after July 31, 2020.
A notice (PDF, 165KB) has been provided to users. Questions about dicamba may be directed to pesticidecompliance@dec.ny.gov or ppr@dec.ny.gov or by calling 518-402-8727.
Essential Pesticide Businesses
As identified in the Guidance on Executive Order 202.6, essential businesses or entities that are not required to reduce in-person workforce by 100% include manufacturing businesses including those that manufacture pesticides; and businesses that provide pest control services. This exclusion includes pesticide applications and other pest control measures. However, these businesses or entities should implement appropriate social distancing practices whenever and wherever possible. Regulations associated with these activities continue to be in effect and any related questions should be directed to appropriate DEC program staff. In general, standard procedures for safe handling of pesticides and managing pests should continue to be used. Please contact DEC with any questions at pestmgt@dec.ny.gov
Pesticide Certification and Business Registration during Pause-NY: DEC is taking the following actions to temporarily allow regulatory flexibility and continued pesticide application and business operations during Pause-NY due to the unique conditions facing New York and the entire nation.
Certification Exams
In light of the Governor's Directive for all non-essential state workers to continue to work from home through April 29th due to concerns with the coronavirus outbreak, at this time all certification exams currently scheduled through the end of April will be cancelled. The cancellations are necessary to attempt to protect the health and safety of those people seeking pesticide certification by examination, as well as DEC staff administering the exams. DEC will re-evaluate the situation in late April to determine if additional exams would need to be cancelled. DEC will also explore other ways to conduct exam sessions when scheduling resumes in order to accommodate such social distancing and other protective practices.
Recertification
Certified applicators and technicians are required to have a valid certification ID card in their possession in order to work. Many of them will not be able to obtain the continuing education credits required for recertification because all classroom courses are cancelled in the near term. Additionally, the only other method of qualifying for recertification, via a recertification exam, is not an option because the certification exam sessions through the end of April will be cancelled. There is computer-based training available, but that is not a good option for people in remote parts of the state or those who do not have access to computers or are not computer proficient. Enforcement discretion is being pursued to delay enforcement of the pesticide certification period. Please see the letter in the Important Links area on the right side of this page for more information.
At this time, DEC will allow any applicator whose certification lapsed on or after November 1, 2019, to continue to operate until 60 days after the expiration of Executive Order 202 and any extensions issued to it. Penalty training credits that would otherwise be required for these applicators, will also be waived. This extension will allow time for courses to start opening back up, recertification exams to become available, and for staff to keep pace with pending applications.
DEC will re-assess the situation periodically to determine if this allowance for certifications will need to be extended further. Certified applicators for whom this extension applies can carry a copy of the enforcement discretion letter along with their ID card to show customers, inspectors, commercial permittees, and others, as necessary, that they are still allowed to operate.
Business Registration
DEC will allow businesses and agencies whose registrations lapsed on or after March 1, 2020, to continue to operate during the current crisis, until 60 days after the expiration of Executive Order 202 and any extensions issued to it. This allowance for business registration expiration shall also apply to the expiration date on the pesticide application equipment/vehicle decals. The equipment/vehicle operator can carry a copy of the enforcement discretion letter as part of their proof that they are still allowed to operate. The letter can be downloaded in the Important Links area on the right side of this page.
Even though we will allow these applicators with expired certifications and businesses and agencies with expired registrations to continue to operate during this time, pesticide applicators and pesticide businesses are encouraged to submit their recertification and business registration renewal information to the DEC as soon as possible to avoid any future delays in the processing of these items. This action will not change recertification dates and when the recertification paperwork is completed applicators will remain on their current recertification cycle.
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pesticide Information: Pesticide products used to disinfect surfaces or objects must first be registered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and then by DEC. EPA has activated its Emerging Viral Pathogens Guidance for Antimicrobial Products in order to enable the use of certain EPA-registered disinfectant products against COVID-19. EPA identified products which can be used against the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. EPA strongly recommends following the virucidal use directions with the longest contact time on the product label.
DEC has created a list of products registered in New York State that correspond to the list of products identified by the EPA. The list can be downloaded below:
DEC List of Products to Disinfect COVID-19 (Updated November 27, 2020)(PDF)
Note: This list is subject to change. DEC recommends users check back regularly for an updated list.
DEC reminds users to strictly follow the label directions for disinfecting surfaces for viruses, including adherence to contact times and appropriate personal protective equipment (if applicable) as listed on each product label.
For more information related to COVID-19, please visit the following webpages:
New York State Department of Health Coronavirus Webpage (leaves DEC website)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coronavirus Webpage (leaves DEC website)
Questions about pesticide products used in relation to COVID-19 should be directed to DEC's Pesticide Product Registration Section at 518-402-8768 or ppr@dec.ny.gov
Pay your Pesticide Applicator/Technician Certification and Business/Agency Registration Application Fees Electronically Online: You can now pay your pesticide certification and business/agency fees electronically. Please do not submit a check with your application. After reviewing your application, we will mail you an invoice that you can pay via electronic check, debit card or credit card. Note: Certain payment types incur related transaction fees. Please visit the On-Line Invoicing section of the Doing Business with DEC webpage, the Pesticide Applicator/Technician Certification webpage, or the Business/Agency Pesticide Information webpage for more information regarding electronic payments.
Attention Category 3A Only and Category 3B Only Pesticide Applicators and Technicians:
Article 33 has recently been amended as part of the 2018 New York State Budget. These amendments will affect your fee at your next renewal or recertification. Please read the NOTICE (PDF) for details on how the changes will be implemented.
Pollinator Protection - Information on reporting a "Pollinator Incident" and resources available to you for protecting and encouraging pollinators.
Enforcement Discretion Letters - The Department will exercise its authority to utilize enforcement discretion with respect to certain provisions of the Environmental Conservation Law and associated regulations relating to commercial pesticide applicator certification requirements in the following areas:
- Enforcement Discretion Letter (PDF) - Intended to explain DEC's policy in relation to pesticide recertification and business registration during the coronavirus crisis.
- Enforcement Discretion Letter - Category 1A (PDF) - Notice of Termination of Enforcement Discretion for Agricultural Plant (Category 1A) Commercial Pesticide Apprentices to Apply Federally Restricted Use Pesticides During the COVID-19 Emergency.
- Commercial Lawn Application Contracts (PDF) - Intended to recognize common, customer-friendly business practices and flexibility in providing and signing contracts and amendments, conducting warranty work, and specifying costs in multi-year contracts.
- Utility Worker Protection from Stinging Insects (PDF) - Intended to protect utility workers from imminent threat of stinging or biting insects in emergency situations.
- Applying Registered Rodenticides with Dry Ice as Only Active Ingredient (PDF) - Intended to allow technicians and apprentices, in appropriate certification categories, to apply dry ice rodenticides under off-site direct supervision of a certified pesticide applicator.
- Highway Worker Protection from Stinging Insects (PDF) - Intended to protect highway workers from imminent threat of stinging or biting insects in emergency situations.
- NYC Department of Environmental Protection (PDF) - Intended to protect water utility workers from imminent threat of stinging or biting insects in emergency situations.
- Monroe County Water Authority (PDF) - Intended to protect Monroe County Water Authority Water Utility Workers from imminent threat of stinging or biting insects in emergency situations.
Compliance Checklists - A business compliance checklist (PDF) and Worker Protection Standard (WPS) compliance checklist (PDF) have been developed for Registered Pesticide Businesses, Certified Pesticide Applicators, and farmers that can be used to check compliance with some of the basic regulatory requirements.
NYSPAD Product Search - The NYSPAD product search can be used to obtain information regarding all pesticide products registered in New York. In addition, pesticide product labels can be viewed or downloaded within the NYSPAD search. Please click on the icon below to enter the NYSPAD search webpage.
Contact Us
The Pesticide Reporting and Certification Section can be contacted at 518-402-8748 or PestMgt@dec.ny.gov.
The Pesticide Product Registration Section can be contacted at 518-402-8768 or PPR@dec.ny.gov.
The Pesticide Compliance Section can be contacted at 518-402-8727 or PesticideCompliance@dec.ny.gov.
For questions regarding The Pesticide Reporting Law (PRL), call 518-402-8748 or email prl@dec.ny.gov.
PesticidesUpdates Listserv
The PesticidesUpdates list is for DEC to provide the list members with information announcements only.
Sign up for the PesticidesUpdates e-mail notification listserv and get notices sent right to your inbox. Subscribe to DEC Delivers, enter your e-mail address, complete and submit the requested information on the "New Subscriber" page. On the "Quick Subscription" page you will see all of the additional topics that you can receive email updates on from DEC. Scroll to the "Prevent and Control Pollution" category and check the box next to "Pesticides." You will receive a welcome email from DEC confirming your subscription(s).
More about Pesticides:
- Business/Agency Pesticide Information - Information for businesses and agencies who either apply or sell pesticide products.
- Pesticide Product Registration - The Environmental Conservation Law requires every pesticide product which is used, distributed, sold or offered for sale in New York State to be registered with the NYSDEC.
- The Pesticide Reporting Law (PRL) - Information regarding pesticide reporting
- Sponsor a Pesticide Course - Information and instructions related to Department approved pesticide training.
- Aquatic Pesticide Permits - The NYSDEC regulates the application of aquatic pesticides in New York State and is responsible for compliance assistance and public outreach activities to ensure enforcement of State pesticide laws.
- Pesticide Laws and Regulations - Laws and regulations pertaining to pesticides in New York State.
- Special Pesticides Initiatives in NYS - Pesticide related initiatives in New York State.
- Reducing Pesticide Use - Information about alternatives to pesticides.
- Forms Related to Pesticides - a compilation of various forms used in the Pesticides Program.
- Pest Management and Pesticide Use Brochures - The DEC Pest Management Information Series of brochures are the Department's primary source of information on pest management issues for New York State residents.
