Overview

Amazon requires pesticide sellers to meet both federal EPA rules and the registration mandates of every U.S. state and the District of Columbia. Starting now, Amazon’s system automatically cross‑checks each listing against state databases, blocking sales where a product lacks a valid state registration. Sellers who overlook these requirements risk having their items hidden from customers in specific regions, which can quickly erode revenue.

Key Points

• Dual compliance required — A pesticide must satisfy the EPA’s federal registration under FIFRA and be listed in each state’s pesticide registry where it will be sold.
• All 50 states plus D.C. enforce registration — Each jurisdiction runs its own database, so a product sold in California, Texas, and New York must appear in three separate state systems.
• Amazon’s automated check — Amazon continuously scans state registries; if a product is missing from a state’s active list, the marketplace disables purchase options for that state.
• FIFRA 25(b) exemption isn’t universal — Even “minimum‑risk” products that the EPA exempts from federal registration, such as a garlic‑oil insect repellent, may still need state‑level approval.
• Geographic restrictions trigger revenue loss — A herbicide registered only in Illinois will be visible to shoppers there but invisible to buyers in neighboring Indiana until the seller registers it in Indiana as well.
• Renewal timelines differ — While the EPA requires a five‑year renewal, some states demand annual updates, meaning sellers must track multiple calendars to stay compliant.

How State Pesticide Registration Works

1. Initial application to the state agency — The seller submits a product dossier to the state’s pesticide regulatory office; for example, a Florida‑based seller files a PDF package with ingredient data, label text, and safety studies to the Florida Department of Agriculture.
2. State review and fee assessment — The agency evaluates the submission against local statutes and assigns a registration fee; a small‑batch organic fungicide might incur a $250 fee in Oregon, while the same product could cost $1,200 in New Jersey.