Pesticide Statutes, Regulations, And Policies

Pesticide Laws  

The Bureau of Pesticide Management implements and enforces Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) Article 33 and portions of Article 15 and Article 71 of the ECL.  

The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) provides for federal oversight of pesticides. The DEC is granted limited authority to enforce federal pesticide laws and regulations on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

Pesticide Regulations  

New York pesticide regulations are found in Title 6 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules, and Regulations of the State of New York. The links on this page go to DEC's pesticide regulations on the Westlaw website. This unofficial version of NYS rules is intended for informational purposes only. No representation is made as to the currency of this version. Note: DEC's regulations on the Westlaw site are updated with changes as of December 31, 2021. Check the Proposed Regulations page for a list of all proposed and recently adopted regulatory changes by division that have happened since December 31, 2021.

• Subchapter A: Pesticide Control 

• Part 320: Pesticides - General 

• Part 321: Pesticides In Grape Vineyards, Chautauqua County, Northern Townships 

• Part 322: Pesticides In Grape Vineyards, Niagara County 

• Part 323: Pesticides In Grape Vineyards, Chautauqua County, Southern Townships 

• Part 324: Pesticides In Grape Vineyards, Erie County 

• Part 325: Application of Pesticides  

• Part 326: Registration and Classifications of Pesticides

• Part 327 Use of Chemicals for the Control or Elimination of Aquatic Vegetation 

• Part 328 Use of Chemicals for the Control or Extermination of Undesirable Fish 

• Part 329 Use of Chemicals for the Control or Elimination of Aquatic Insects 

Worker Protection Standard (WPS) - The DEC enforces the federal WPS regulations found in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 40 CFR Parts 156 and 170 that cover agricultural pesticide labeling and worker protection standards. 

Pesticide Policies  

• DSHM-PES-05-01 Applicant Challenge to Certification Examination Policy 

• DSHM-PES-05-02 Pesticide Product Registration and Commercial Permits Policy 

• DSHM-PES-05-03 Pesticide Storage Guidelines  

• DSHM-PES-05-05 Aquatic Pesticide Permit Program Policy 

• DSHM-PES-05-07 Pesticide Product Registration Enforcement Policy

• DSHM-PES-05-08 Compliance with the Pesticide Reporting Law Policy

• DSHM-PES-05-09 Backflow Prevention Devices Policy 

• DSHM-PES-05-10 Compliance with the Pesticide Reporting Law Policy

• DSHM-PES-05-11 Compliance with Certain Provisions of Commercial Lawn Application Regulations

• Policy DMM-1 Determinations Regarding Emergency Pesticide Applications at Schools and Day Care Centers and Inquiries on Related Pesticide Prohibition 

• OGC 3: Pesticide Recordkeeping and Reporting of Commercial Applicators

• OGC 4: Pesticide Recordkeeping and Reporting for Commercial Permit Holders, Including Importers, Manufacturers and Compounders

• DEE-12 Pesticide Enforcement Policy 

Enforcement Discretion Letters 

DEC will exercise its authority to utilize enforcement discretion with respect to certain provisions of the ECL and associated regulations in the following areas.  

• USDA Employees Vaportape II for Field Surveys (PDF) – This letter allows USDA employees to apply Vaportape II under certain conditions. 

• NYSAGM Employees Vaportape II for Field Surveys (PDF) - This letter allows NYSAGM employees to apply Vaportape II under certain conditions. 

• Commercial Lawn Application Contracts and Electronic Pesticide Labels (PDF) - This letter recognizes common, customer-friendly business practices and flexibility in providing and signing contracts and amendments, conducting warranty work, and specifying costs in multi-year contracts. The letter also allows for all pesticide applicators to maintain pesticide labels electronically. 

• Applying Registered Rodenticides with Dry Ice as Only Active Ingredient (PDF) - Allows technicians and apprentices, in appropriate certification categories, to apply dry ice rodenticides under off-site direct supervision of a certified pesticide applicator.  

The following Enforcement Discretion Letters address the application of pesticides for the protection of workers from the imminent threat of stinging or biting insects in emergency situations: 

• Utility Worker Protection from Stinging Insects (PDF)  

• Highway Worker Protection from Stinging Insects (PDF) 

• NYC Department of Environmental Protection (PDF) 

• Monroe County Water Authority (PDF)