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Product Registration Timelines

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Document Submission and Timelines

How Long Will It Take to Process My Pesticide Registration?

WSDA NORMALLY ISSUES REGISTRATIONS WITHIN 60 DAYS AFTER RECEIVING A COMPLETE APPLICATION.

A complete application includes a completed and signed application form sent with the correct fees, correct market label, and accurate confidential statement of formula (CSF). Other types of registrations require additional information. 
 

Document Submission Guidance

Any documents, labels and letters that are emailed should be converted to a searchable PDF file at 300dpi.  Ensure that your files are unprotected.  Submit labels by email to pestreg@agr.wa.gov as a separate searchable PDF file at 300dpi. PDF files of applications, agent letters, Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and other documents should be emailed to pestreg@agr.wa.gov. In order to facilitate the processing of all your files, please see Pesticide File Naming Conventions for Electronic Submission of Documents.

CURRENT PESTICIDE REGISTRATION TIMELINES


 

Average processing times for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered pesticide labels are significantly faster than our internal 60-day (maximum) processing goal. The estimated timelines are based on a one-year average for the period from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024, including weekends and holidays. Average processing time is calculated from the receipt of a complete application to registration approval. Registration timeline averages are updated annually.

AVERAGE DAYS PROCESSING TIME BY REGISTRATION TYPE


Registration Type Average Processing Time
(FY 2024)		 Percent Completion
(60 days or less)
EPA Section 3 Pesticides 17 days 92.6%
Section 25b Minimum Risk Pesticides 38 days* 78.5%
Spray Adjuvants 61 days* 52.0%

















*It is important to note that State-only registrations are reviewed at the state level only; there is no EPA review. State-only registrations are forwarded to the registration specialist (and the timeline begins) regardless of the accuracy of CSF, legal label language, or other missing required and supplementary documents. 

Understanding Processing Timelines

WSDA REGISTERS 2 CLASSIFICATIONS OF PESTICIDES - HOW DOES THAT AFFECT REGISTRATION TIMES?

 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Registered Pesticides Most Common Registration Complications
SECTION 3 PRIMARY REGISTRANT PESTICIDES
Section 3 pesticides must be reviewed and registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) before they can be registered in Washington state. These registrations typically take the least amount of time to register because they have already undergone federal review. Pesticides containing a new active ingredient that is labeled for outdoor use require the submission of EPA’s Environmental Fate and Effects Division (EFED) final risk assessment and cover letter. Products containing new active ingredients may require WSDA toxicology review which will lengthen registration time.
  • Missing confidential statement of formula
  • Missing fees
SECTION 3 SUPPLEMENTAL DISTRIBUTOR PESTICIDES
Section 3 Supplemental Distributor Pesticides are initially federally registered by the primary registrant, and are distributed by another company through an agreement.  Supplemental Distributor labels are not reviewed by EPA so the state becomes the sole regulator to thoroughly review the Supplemental Distributor label to make sure that it does not deviate from the EPA-approved master label.  Section 3 Supplemental Distributor Pesticide applications must be accompanied by a copy of the signed and approved EPA form 8570-5 “Notice of Supplemental Distribution of a Registered Pesticide Product.” Extensive label review and a missing 8570-5 form will increase registration time for these products.
  • Missing form 8570-5
  • Unlawful claims made on market label

 

State Only Registered Pesticides

 Most Common Registration Complications
SECTION 25(B) MINIMUM RISK PESTICIDES
EPA regulates section 25(b) Minimum Risk Pesticides but is not registered by EPA.  EPA has defined 6 conditions that a 25(b) Minimum Risk Pesticide must meet to be exempted from federal registration. Some of these conditions are a limited list of ingredients, including the specific label names for those ingredients listed on the pesticide label. Since there is no federal review, the state is the primary reviewer.  Registration specialists spend a great deal of time working with registrants to get a label that meets EPA’s conditions and Washington laws and rules. You can review EPA’s conditions at epa.gov/minimum-risk-pesticides and Washington state 25(b) Minimum Risk Label requirements at WAC 16-228-1400. WSDA also has a great resource guide, publication 4352, for registering and labeling Section 25(b) Minimum Risk Pesticides.
  • Incomplete confidential statement of formula
  • Unallowable ingredients
  • Unallowable label claims
SPRAY ADJUVANTS
Spray Adjuvants are considered pesticides in Washington State and must be registered within the state. Spray Adjuvants are not regulated or reviewed on a federal level; all review is done on the state level. Registration specialists spend a great deal of time working with registrants to complete and correct their confidential statement of formula, and to create an acceptable and accurate label. Spray adjuvants intended for aquatic use require the submission of aquatic toxicology studies and WSDA toxicological review which will increase review times. More information on label requirements are found in WAC 16-228-1400. WSDA also has a great resource guide, publication 873, for registering and labeling spray adjuvants.
  • Incomplete confidential statements of formula, especially if the product is a repack of another company's product
  • Unallowable label claims
  • Unallowable ingredient label display names