US finalises pesticide data rules

Formal rules updating the data requirements for conventional pesticides, biopesticides and biochemical pesticides come into effect in the US on December 26th. Proposals for updating the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to take account of current practices were issued for biopesticides and biochemicals last year and for conventional pesticides in 2005. The revisions generally codify existing data requirements that have evolved since CFR part 158 was laid down in October 1984. The final rules were published in the Federal Register on October 26th.