Pesticide regulation development

Pesticide regulation makes use of measurements of specific fate and effects properties, as specified in laws such as the US Federal Insecticides Fungicides and Rodenticides Act (FIFRA). Studies are conducted according to relatively standardized designs. Particularly in this type of situation, it seems reasonable to develop default distributions for particular variables, as measured in particular, standardized studies. Default assumptions may relate to default distribution types, or default distribution parameters such as a coefficient of variation, skewness, or knrtosis. Default distributions may be evaluated in comparative studies that draw from multiple literature sources. Databases of pesticide fate and effects properties, such as those maintained by the USEPA Office of Pesticide Programs, may be useful for such comparative analyses. 

The 29 country member Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Working Group offers a common platform to the national pesticide regulators for discussion... 

The recommendations of the JECFA and the JMPR are recognised as sound scientific advice and many countries base their food laws and regulations on them. The Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme, implemented through the Codex Alimentarius Commission, also makes use of the JECFA and JMPR recommendations. In the course of their work the Codex Committee on Food Additives and the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues develop maximum levels (ML) or maximum residue levels (MRL), respectively, which form important parts of individual food standards. The Codex Alimentarius Commission is developing these standards to meet its two major objectives, namely to protect the health of the consumer and to ensure fair practice in the food trade. 

Herbicides are also sometimes classified according to mode of action, selectivity, registered uses, and toxicity. The ever-increasing importance of herbicides and other pesticides and agrochemicals to a wide range of users, regulators, and researchers has led to the development of multiple and extensive computer databases. The primary database resources contain collected information relevant to herbicides, and numerous resource pubHcations are available to those needing information on the various aspects of herbicides (2). 

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