Updated 12 p.m. Aug. 12: Adds comment from Weed Science Society of America

EPA will no longer approve product labels claiming glyphosate is known to cause cancer – a claim that does not meet the labeling requirements of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. This action is based on EPA’s comprehensive evaluation of glyphosate.

"It is irresponsible to require labels on products that are inaccurate when EPA knows the product does not pose a cancer risk. We will not allow California’s flawed program to dictate federal policy,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “It is critical that federal regulatory agencies like EPA relay to consumers accurate, scientific based information about risks that pesticides may pose to them.”

“This is a significant victory for science-based regulation,” said Agricultural Retailers Association President and CEO Daren Coppock. “Our members, their farmer customers, and the public rely on EPA’s scientific expertise to evaluate pesticides for human health and environmental effects.” 

The Weed Science Society of America supports the EPA’s decision, saying the EPA’s position has been echoed by the Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency and the European Food Safety Authority. 

“Though WSSA members are not experts in human toxicology and epidemiology, we appreciate the rigorous review process undertaken by the EPA and other regulatory bodies,” says Larry Steckel, president of the Weed Science Society of America. “Based on the best available evidence, they have consistently concluded that glyphosate-based herbicides are unlikely to pose significant health risks when used as directed.” 

In April, EPA took the next step in the review process for glyphosate. EPA found – as it has before – that glyphosate is not a carcinogen, and there are no risks to public health when glyphosate is used in accordance with its current label. These scientific findings are consistent with the conclusions of science reviews by many other countries and other federal agencies.

On Feb. 26, 2018, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California issued a preliminary injunction stopping California from enforcing the state warning requirements involving glyphosate’s carcinogenicity, in part on the basis that the required warning statement is false or misleading. The preliminary injunction has not been appealed and remains in place. 

California’s listing of glyphosate as a substance under Proposition 65 is based on the International Agency on the Research for Cancer classifying it as “probably carcinogenic to humans.” EPA’s evaluation of available scientific data included a more extensive and relevant dataset than IARC considered during its evaluation of glyphosate, from which the agency concluded that glyphosate is “not likely to be carcinogenic to humans.” EPA’s cancer classification is consistent with many other international expert panels and regulatory authorities.

Registrants with glyphosate products currently bearing Proposition 65 warning language should submit draft amended labeling that removes this language within 90 days of the date of the letter.

Source: EPA, Agricultural Retailers Association, Weed Science Society of America, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.