About the Program
Responsibilities established by law
Federal law Like in most countries, pesticides must be approved for sale and use in the United States. U.S. EPA is responsible regulating pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). Through these regulations, U.S. EPA determines if a pesticide is safe for use and can be registered. When a pesticide is “registered” it is given a label that has directions about how to properly use the material.
Under these federal laws, some pesticides are considered too hazardous for general use and classified as “restricted use” pesticides.
Local mandatesGuam EPA’s Pesticide Program recently updated Guam law in 2007 with the Guam Pesticides Act. Stemming from that change, new rules and regulations have also been developed. This local arm of the federal laws give Guam EPA the authority to protect the island’s natural resources from potentially harmful pesticides.
The Pesticide Control Program is responsible for ensuring anything designed to kill or mitigate pests is properly labeled, used and disposed of after use. This includes bacteria, viruses, rodents, insects, mold or other living things. A few examples of the requirements of the law include a training and qualification for those using restricted use pesticides. Another aspect is a required certification for those using pesticides in their daily line of work, including housekeeping personnel.
In the Field
The Program conducts inspections, compliance monitoring, and enforcement on marketers, distributors, and applicators of insecticides, fungicides, and rodenticides. In addition, the Program continues to work with the University of Guam in the training and certification process of applicators by issuing certificates. Also, the Program coordinates with the Department of Customs and Quarantine for all imports of these products. The Program also continues to be the focal point for Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) reporting.
Pesticide use has been steadily increasing in recent years due to growth in both infrastructure and population on Guam. It is anticipated that growing demand for agricultural, residential, and golf course usage of pesticides will continue. The Pesticide Program continues to find a balance between the need for pesticides and the need to protect the community and the environment from improper pesticide use.
Elements of the Pesticide Program
Permitting
The Pesticide Program issues many permits to protect the environment and human health from pesticides. Permits that monitor these chemicals include
- Notice of Arrival
- Basic Training Qualification
- Training Qualification
- Applicator Certification
Notice of Arrival
Section 50118 of Guam’s Pesticide Act requires that Guam EPA be notified of the arrival of pesticides and related devices into Guam. An importer intending to import pesticides and/or related devices into Guam must submit the Notice of Arrival Form to the Guam EPA Administrator for approval prior to arrival of the shipment into Guam. The form and instructions may be found in the Permits section of this site.
Pesticide Dealer License
The University of Guam (UOG) conducts the Pesticide Certification Workshop necessary to obtain a Pesticide Dealer’s License. Guam EPA then issues the License. Anyone wishing to sell Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs) on Guam must have a Pesticide Dealer’s License. Private and commercial applicators of Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs) must also attend a workshop at UOG and obtain a private or commericial Applicator’s License from Guam EPA. Additional information on these licenses can be found in the Permits section of this site or by calling the Program Staff.
Basic Training A and Training the Trainer
The newly passed Guam Pesticide Act includes a requirement that all housekeeping staff that use pesticides be trained in how to properly use the chemicals. In order to train the hundreds of workers this statue applies to, the Program worked closely with the Guam Environmental Protection Agency to provide a training for trainers, followed by a training for the housekeeping workers. For more information about this training or to get a list of the certified trainers, contact Betwin Alokoa.