Source: NC FARM BUREAU, 12/15/17

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has initiated its rulemaking protocol in order to revise certain aspects of the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) and the Certification and Training (C&T) Rule. The implementation dates for WPS and C&T remain in effect. Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS): EPA has initiated a process to revise certain requirements in the WPS.  By the end of FY2018, EPA expects to publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to solicit public input on proposed revisions to the WPS requirements for minimum ages, designated representatives, and application exclusion zones. The compliance dates in the revised WPS, published on Nov. 2, 2015, remain in effect; the agency does not intend to extend them. Certification and Training (C&T, or Certification of Pesticide Applicators) Rule: EPA has initiated a process to revise the minimum age requirements in the C&T rule. EPA expects to publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to solicit public input on proposed revisions to the rule by the end of FY2018. The implementation dates in the Jan. 4 final rule remain in effect for certifying authorities to submit revised certification plans and for EPA to act on those plans. EPA has no plans to change those implementation dates.

Learn more about WPS
Learn more about C&T