Which agency is responsible for enforcing federal pesticide laws and regulations?

• A. Environmental Protection Agency
• B. Federal Aviation Administration
• C. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• D. Federal Communications Commission

Answer: (A)

Enforcing federal pesticide laws and regulations is handled by the Environmental Protection Agency. This agency administers FIFRA, which requires pesticides to be registered before they can be sold and used, with labeling that gives clear safety and usage directions. EPA conducts risk assessments to protect human health and the environment, and it can take enforcement actions for violations such as selling unregistered products, misbranding, or improper labeling. While states play a role in implementing and enforcing pesticide rules within their borders, the federal enforcement authority comes from EPA. The other agencies focus on different areas—aviation safety for the Federal Aviation Administration, nuclear safety for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and communications regulation for the Federal Communications Commission.