What agency must approve a pesticide for use before it is available in the market?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for approving pesticides before they can be marketed and used. This approval process involves a thorough evaluation of the pesticide's safety, efficacy, and potential environmental and health impacts. The agency examines data provided by manufacturers regarding the product's composition, toxicity, and potential effects on non-target organisms, including humans and wildlife.

Once a pesticide is determined to meet the EPA's stringent safety standards and regulations, it becomes registered for use. This regulatory framework ensures that only those pesticides that have been adequately tested and deemed safe for both humans and the environment are allowed in the market, promoting responsible usage and minimizing adverse effects.

While other agencies like the Michigan Department of Agriculture, Department of Health Services, and Department of Natural Resources play important roles in the oversight and regulation of pesticide usage at the state level or in specific environmental contexts, it is the EPA that oversees initial approval and registration on a national basis.