Restricted use pesticides (RUP) arepesticides not available to the general public in theUnited States. Fulfilling itspesticide regulation responsibilities, theUnited States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registers all pesticides as either "unclassified" or "restricted use". Unclassified pesticides are available over-the-counter, while the latter require a license to purchase and apply the product. Pesticides are classified as "restricted use" for a variety of reasons, such as potential for or history of groundwater contamination.
The RUP classification restricts a product, or its uses, to use by a certificated pesticide applicator or under the direct supervision of a certified applicator. Certification programs are administered by the federal government, individual states, and by company policies that vary from state to state. This is managed by the EPA under theWorker Protection Standard, in cooperation with theUnited States Department of Agriculture.[citation needed]
The RUP list is part ofTitle 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR 152.175).[1]Atrazine is the most widely used restricted-use herbicide, however there are over 700 RUPs as of 2017. Manyinsecticides andfungicides used in fruit production are restricted use.[citation needed]
TheWorker Protection Standard (WPS) identifies the type of requirements that must be satisfied to obtain the proper license needed to purchase and apply restricted use pesticide.[2] The process required to obtain a pest control licenses is regulated by a combination of state laws, federal laws, common law, and private company policies. All RUP applications must be recorded to identify the date, location, and type of pesticide applied. Federal law requires a minimum record retention period, which may be three years or longer depending upon state laws. There are two licensee categories: supervisor and applicator. A pest control supervisor license is required to purchase RUP. Duties of a licensed pest control supervisor include:
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