Pesticides
On this page:
- Hot topics
- List of products to disinfect COVID-19
- Enforcement discretion letters
- NYSPAD
- Contact us
- Pesticides updates listserv
DEC regulates pesticides and handles compliance assistance, public outreach activities, and enforcement of the requirements in the Environmental Conservation Law (ECL).
Hot Topics:
nForm
Introducing nForm, a new online reporting tool. Pesticide applicators can now:
- Apply online to renew applicator certification
- Update address and contact information
- Request a replacement identification card
- Sign up for pesticide certification exams (coming soon!)
Click this link to use the online tool - nForm
Pesticide Management YouTube Videos
DEC's Bureau of Pesticide Management has recently produced a series of six informative YouTube videos discussing a range of pesticide-related topics. Each of the videos include both an English-language and Spanish-language version. A full list of links and descriptions are found below. (Note: each link leaves DEC website).
Are you concerned about the use of pesticides in your community? Let's take a minute to talk about the regulatory structures in place to protect your health and the health of the environment.
Spanish
FIFRA y las agencias reguladoras:
¿Le preocupa el uso de pesticidas en su comunidad? Tomemos un minuto para hablar sobre las estructuras regulatorias vigentes para proteger su salud y la salud del medio ambiente.
Pesticides encompass a broad category of substances. Learn what constitutes a pesticide and the many ways pesticides are used.
Spanish
Los pesticidas abarcan una amplia categoría de sustancias. Aprenda qué constituye un pesticida y las muchas formas en que se usan.
Certain pesticide products are exempt from federal registration because they are relatively safe for human health and the environment. These substances can be a good choice, but it's important to know they are still pesticides.
Spanish
Ciertos productos pesticidas están exentos del registro federal porque se consideran relativamente seguros para la salud humana y el medio ambiente. Estas sustancias pueden ser una buena opción, pero es importante saber que siguen siendo pesticidas.
Requesting and Reading a Pesticide Label:
When it comes to pesticides, the label is the law. Whether you are hiring a professional applicator or applying pesticides yourself, understanding the pesticide label is a necessary step to using pesticides correctly.
Spanish
Solicitar y leer una etiqueta de pesticida
Cuando se trata de pesticidas, la etiqueta es la ley. Ya sea que contrate a un aplicador profesional o aplique pesticidas usted mismo, comprender la etiqueta del pesticida es un paso necesario para usarlos correctamente.
Are you trying to decide if you should hire an exterminator or do it yourself? Let's talk about what you can and cannot apply as a landlord or superintendent.
Spanish
¿Está tratando de decidir si debe contratar a un exterminador o hacerlo usted mismo? Hablemos de lo que puede y no puede solicitar como propietario o superintendente.
Pesticide Pollution Prevention:
From cradle to grave, it is important to make sure that pesticides are used according to label directions and disposed of properly. Properly using, storing, and disposing of pesticides will prevent pollution and potential harm to people and wildlife.
Spanish
Prevención de contaminación por pesticidas:
Desde la creación hasta la eliminación, es importante asegurarse de que los pesticidas se utilicen de acuerdo con las instrucciones de la etiqueta y se eliminen correctamente. El uso, almacenamiento y eliminación adecuados de plaguicidas evitará la contaminación y el daño potencial a las personas y la vida silvestre.
Glyphosate Stakeholder Meeting
A recent amendment to the Environmental Conservation Law bans any state department, state agency, public benefit corporation or any pesticide applicator employed as a contractor or subcontractor to apply glyphosate on state property. However, there are exemptions to this ban to maintain critical infrastructure, manage roadside vegetation to ensure public safety, for the control of invasive species and pests of significant public health importance, and for research purposes. The law is effective December 31, 2021.
The DEC will hold a stakeholder webinar on October 27, 2021 from 1-3 PM concerning the pesticide regulations to implement this law. Stakeholders are invited to the webinar to hear about potential revisions, express views, and provide input in developing regulations. Registration for the webinar is required. Comments may be submitted at glyphosateregs@dec.ny.gov.
Chlorpyrifos Pesticide Registration Cancellations and Proposed Regulation
July 21, 2021 - DEC announced a regulatory revision to 6 NYCRR Part 326 to prohibit the sale, distribution, possession, and use of pesticide products containing the active ingredient chlorpyrifos. This regulatory revision was effective July 31, 2021.
December 31, 2020 the New York State pesticide registrations were cancelled for 29 pesticide products containing chlorpyrifos and on July 31, 2021 the remaining fifteen pesticide products containing the active ingredient were cancelled. When cancelled, pesticide products can no longer be offered for sale or sold, distributed, or used in New York.
Enforcement Discretion - Applicators and Businesses
November 24, 2020 -- certified pesticide applicators must now have a valid, current certification identification (ID) card in their possession to make any commercial or private applications of pesticides and registered pesticide businesses. Agencies need a current registration to operate as a pesticide business or agency.
February 24, 2021 -- DEC will assess penalty credits, related to recertification, as prescribed in regulation.
Neighbor Notifications in Spanish Language
2020 -- ECL now requires that the 48-hour prior notification for certain commercial lawn applications, the information sign posted by retailers, and the visual notification markers posted for residential lawn applications be printed in English and Spanish. Other languages may be necessary. The requirements of the amendments, like the Neighbor Notification Law, effect counties and cities with a population of one million or more, that have adopted a local law to "opt into" the Neighbor Notification Law in its entirety.
Stakeholder Meetings - Pesticide Regulations
DEC held stakeholder webinars to get input, on potential changes to pesticide regulations. Stakeholders heard about potential revisions, expressed views, provided input and participated to help develop comprehensive regulations.
Learn more:
- Fact sheets (PDF),
- Slide Presentations (PDF)
- Comment Form (PDF)
Have input as a stakeholder? Email pestregs@dec.ny.gov.
Looking to provide feedback about aquatic pesticides regulations? Email AQpestregs@dec.ny.gov.
Pesticide Products for Use Against COVID-19
Pesticide products used to disinfect surfaces or objects must 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 to allow the use of certain EPA-registered disinfectant products against COVID-19.
DEC has created a list of products registered in New York State that correspond to the list of products identified by EPA. The list is posted on the Open Data NY website (leaves DEC website).
Note: This list is subject to change -- check back for updates.
DEC reminds users to follow the label directions for disinfecting surfaces for viruses, including adherence to contact times and appropriate personal protective equipment as listed on each product label.
Read more about COVID-19 on the Coronavirus webpages for the New York State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (leaves DEC website)
Have questions about pesticide products used in relation to COVID-19? Call 518-402-8768 or email ppr@dec.ny.gov
Enforcement Discretion Letters
DEC will exercise its authority to utilize enforcement discretion with respect to certain provisions of the ECL and associated regulations relating to commercial pesticide applicator certification requirements in the following areas:
- Chlorpyrifos (PDF) - Enforcement discretion for distribution of unregistered products containing chlorpyrifos.
- Enforcement Discretion Letter (PDF) - Explains 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) - Recognizes 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) - Helps 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) - Allows technicians and apprentices, in appropriate certification categories, to apply dry ice rodenticides under off-site direct supervision of a certified pesticide applicator.
Read more to find information about how to protect workers from imminent threat of stinging or biting insects in emergency situations:
- Highway Worker Protection from Stinging Insects (PDF)
- NYC Department of Environmental Protection (PDF)
- Monroe County Water Authority (PDF)
Pollinator Protection - Learn how to report a "Pollinator Incident" and about resources available for protecting and encouraging pollinators.
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 basic regulatory requirements.
NYSPAD Product Search - can help get information on all pesticide products registered in New York. Also, 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
Call or email the Pesticide:
Reporting and Certification Section at 518-402-8748 or PestMgt@dec.ny.gov.
Product Registration Section at 518-402-8768 or PPR@dec.ny.gov.
Compliance Section at 518-402-8727 or PesticideCompliance@dec.ny.gov.
Reporting Law (PRL) section at 518-402-8748 or prl@dec.ny.gov.
Applicator Certification Exam your local DEC office.
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:
- Chlorpyrifos Pesticide Registration Cancellations and Adopted Regulation - Pesticide cancellations associated with chlorpyrifos
- 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.
- Special Pesticides Initiatives in NY - Pesticide related initiatives in New York State.
- Forms Related to Pesticides - a compilation of various forms used in the Pesticides Program.
- Pesticide Laws and Regulations - Laws and regulations pertaining to pesticides in New York State.
