Pesticides Regulations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), and Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has regulations pertaining to pesticides and pesticide use. 

The US EPA is responsible for regulating the sale and use of pesticides, and the alloweable levels of pesticides in or on food.  For more information, visit EPA website: www.epa.gov/pesticides

Two federal laws primarily regulate pesticides:

• Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
• Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA)

The MDA, Pesticide Regulation Section, administers Maryland's Pesticide Applicator's Law, enforces federal laws on the sale and use of pesticides, investigates pesticide accidents or incidents and consumer compliants on pesticide misuse, approves training courses in the handling, storage and use of pesticides, conducts examinations to determine that pesticide applicators are competent to follow prescribed pest control practice, and approves licenses for business pesticide applicators.  For more information, visit MDA website: www.mda.state.us/plants-pests.

Montgomery County's Department of Environmental Protection ensures that commercial pesticide applicators inform consumers about the pesticides used in lawn applications and that retail sellers of pesticide products provide wirtten material to purchasers that address pesticide use and safety, and alternatives to pesticides.

The Department of Health and Human Services routinely inspects food service facilities for compliance with the County's pesticide laws. These inspections are generally handled during a routine food safety inspection.