As the final Aug. 16 implementation date of EPA’s Pesticide Container and Containment (PCC) rule nears, the member companies of CropLife America (CLA), Ag Container Recycling Council (ACRC), Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA), and National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) reinforce their commitment to the safety and stewardship of crop protection products throughout their life-cycle, including safe storage and the reduction and recapture of packaging.

The primary objectives of EPA’s rule are to facilitate the disposal and recycling of pesticide containers and protect the environment from potential pesticide releases due to spills and leaks in storage, refilling containers, or dispensing of crop protection products.

Industry organizations have played an active supporting role in the implementation of the new rule, and have led training, the development of retail center certification for compliance with storage requirements, and worked to ensure the smooth implementation of the rule so that the objectives are met and regulatory burden is minimized. 

The CLA Stewardship Committee, consisting of CLA member companies, has developed guidance for safely cleaning refillable pesticide containers for reuse or rededication, and a description of acceptable containers that may be provided to refillers in order to meet requirements of the rule.

This guidance should only be used if it is authorized by the registrant of the product in the container.

Electronic versions of these and additional supporting documents are available on the CLA website at www.croplifeamerica.org/PCC-Rule.

Pesticides are most commonly sold in small (from 2.5 gallons up to 55 gallons) non-refillable containers and larger refillable containers.