California DPR launches CalPEST to streamline pesticide registration

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has launched CalPEST, a new online system designed to modernize and enhance the pesticide registration process.

CalPEST aims to expedite the processing of pesticide registrations, providing greater transparency and facilitating the evaluation of safer pest management alternatives. The system will enable simultaneous reviews by various scientific programs, assessing factors such as ecotoxicology, human health risks, and environmental safety.

“CalPEST is a historic milestone for DPR in our work to modernize and streamline our registration process,” said Julie Henderson, director for DPR, in a press release. “It reflects our core values of accountability and continuous improvement.”

The system is part of DPR’s Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap, released in January 2023, which outlines actions to transition California to more sustainable pest management practices by replacing high-risk pesticide uses. By improving efficiency and transparency, CalPEST is expected to expedite the availability of lower-risk products and practices, the press release stated.

Key features of the CalPEST system include a central location for real-time status updates on registration applications and improved communication with pesticide registrants about evaluation timelines.

Further enhancements to CalPEST are anticipated in spring 2025, aiming to increase its functionality and support for users.

All pesticides must be approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) before use in the United States. In California, DPR conducts additional evaluations to ensure products meet state-specific safety requirements.

For more information, visit the DPR website.