California DPR notice clarifies state's position on chemical labeling

California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) issued a state notice clarifying its position on the labeling of chemicals, according to a recent article in TSG Advisory.

The DPR notice spells out its stance on the implementation of Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). DPR also provided registrants with a template to identify GHS changes on proposed labels.

Federally, GHS was adopted by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). By aligning its Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) with GHS, OSHA requires chemical manufacturers to classify chemicals according to the new criteria and to update both product labels and safety data sheets.

However, for pesticide products that are required to be registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), DPR chose to follow the guidance provided in the EPA’s Pesticide Registration (PR) Notice. That notice states that in granting registration, EPA must make certain the pesticide’s labeling complies with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).

The EPA has not amended its labeling regulation to reflect GHS.