FDA implements new regulations for household, urban pesticides
To ensure the safety and efficiency of household and urban pesticides (HUP), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced regulatory services on Thursday, Jan. 11, through the Center for Cosmetics and Household/Urban Hazardous Substances Regulation and Research (CCHUHSRR).
In an advisory, this development is based on Administrative Order (AO) No. 2019-0008, titled "New Rules and Regulations in the Registration of Household Pesticide Products and Their Active Ingredients.”
The FDA emphasized that this service falls under the category of highly technical applications as outlined in Republic Act No. 11032, also known as "An Act Promoting Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Delivery of Government Services."
It noted that this act amends Republic Act No. 9485, commonly referred to as the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007.
Meanwhile, for market authorization applicants, the FDA has outlined specific guidelines to streamline the processing time for this critical service.
The prescribed processing time is set at 20 working days from the date of receipt of a paid application.
Moreover, it said that the maximum time can be extended once for an equivalent number of days.
To maintain transparency and keep applicants informed, it was highlighted that CCHUHSRR will notify the concerned parties via email regarding the reason for any extension and the final date of the decision's release.
Applicants are required to acknowledge this notification within a three-calendar-day window, or it will be considered received.
In light of these changes, market authorization applicants and other stakeholders in the household and urban pesticide sectors are strongly advised to refer to the FDA Citizen's Charter, available on the FDA website.
The charter provides comprehensive details on the application process and other pertinent information to ensure compliance with the new regulations.
It stated that this move by the FDA aimed to enhance the safety and effectiveness of household and urban pesticides, promoting a more streamlined and transparent regulatory framework.