Pesticide Recordkeeping is more than just a good idea -- it's the law!

The federal pesticide recordkeeping regulations require that private pesticide applicators keep records of federal restricted use pesticide applications!

The law requires you to record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1. The brand or product name of the restricted use pesticide and its EPA registration number. (Federal law does not requre you record general use pesticide applications -- only restricted use pesticides.)

2. The total amount applied. Record the total quantity of the product used -- not the quantity after water or other sumbstances were added. Amount does not refer to percent of active ingredient. Use the pesticide label for reference and record the amount in quantities similar to label language. For example, if the label states the pesticide is to be measured in pints or ounces, then record the amount in that measurement.

3. The size of the are treated. This information should be recorded in a unit of measure such as acre, linear feet, bushel, cubic feet, square feet, number of animals, etc. which is normally expressed on the pesticide label in reference to this application being made. For special spplications such as alternate middles, weed wicks or band applications, record the total area covered. For example, if an 80 acre grove is treated using an alternate middle approach, the entire 80 acres would be recorded as the "size of area treated."

4. The crop, commodity, stored product, or site to which the pesticide was applied. Refer to the pesticide label for guidance if you are unsure how to record this information.

5. The location of the application. Record the location of the treated area, not the address of the farm or business. Your goal is to be able to identify the exact area of the application two years later if requested. The law only allows any of the following designations:
- county, range, township, and section;
- maps or writted descriptions;
- a USDA identification system such as those used by the Natural Resouces Conservation Service or the Consolidated Farm Service Agency (formerly SCS and ASCS) which involves maps and a numbering system to identify field locations;
- the legal property description.

6. The month, day, and year of the application.

7. The applicator's name and certification number if applicable (some states do not assign numbers). If the application was made by someone who is not certified, then record the name and number of the certified applicator who supervised the application.

How to Record Spot Applications
If you apply restricted use pesticides on the same day in a total area of less than one-tenth of an acre, you are required to record only the following:
- brand/product name, EPA registration number
- total amout applied
- month, day, year of the application
- identification of the application as a spot application and a general description of the location (for example, "treated fire ant mounds in the lower creek pastures") along with the words "spot application."

This spot application provision excludes greenhouse and nursery applications which are required to keep all of the data elements.

Additional Requirements
The information must be recoreded within 14 days following the pesticide application. It will be easier to accurately record the data if you record it promptly.

You must keep the records for two years from the date of the pesticide application.

There is no required form. Any form (handwritten or on computer) is acceptable as long as the required data is included.

Records by Commercial Applicators
If you hire a commercial applicator, not that the regulations require commercial applicators to give clients a copy of their pesticide application record within 30 days of the application.

For Additional Information
For more information about record keeping requirements for private applicators, contact your:
- local Cooperative Extension Service,
- state pesticide regulatory agency,
- grower associations.

The federal pesticide recordkeeping regulations were amended in 1995. The changes include:

Number of days to complete record. Private applicators must complete the record for an application within 14 days following the application.
Spot application data requirements. Instead of recording "spot application" to indicate the location of a treatment over less than one-tenth of an acre, applicators must record the words "spot application" along with a general description of the location.
Health care professional access to records. The record information must be accessible if an emergency occurs requiring immediate medical treatment or first aid for a possible pesticide poisoning or exposure. Only the attending licensed health care professional or someone working under that professional's supervision can request the record information.
Penalties clarified. Any certified applicator who violates the recordkeeping requirements can be fined a civil penalty of not more than $500 for a first offense. For subsequent offenses, the applicator can be fined a civil penalty of not less than $1,000 per violation except the amount can be reduced if it is determined that the applicator made a good faith effort to comply.

Examples of Pesticide Application Records for view on-line . . . .

Example #3 - with example entries
from the Field Records for General and Restricted Use Pesticide Applications and Integrated Crop Management

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