Spanish Translation Guide for Pesticide Labeling
The Spanish Translation Guide for Pesticide Labeling (or Spanish Translation Guide) provides guidance for pesticide registrants to translate parts of their pesticide product labels into Spanish.
EPA generally allows pesticide registrants to translate their product labels into any language so long as there is an EPA-approved English version of the label, and the translation is true and accurate.
The Pesticide Registration Improvement Act of 2022 (PRIA 5), enacted on December 29, 2022, amended FIFRA, requiring Spanish language translation for sections of end use product labels where translation is available in the Spanish Translation Guide for Pesticide Labeling. The new FIFRA requirement specifies that Spanish language translation must appear on the product container or a link to such translation via scannable technology or other electronic methods readily accessible on the product label. For more information see Introduction to Bilingual Labeling.
The Spanish Translation Guide for Pesticide Labeling is written in a universal form of Spanish to reach as many Spanish speakers as possible and provides translations for language typically used in the health and safety sections of pesticide product labels. In addition to the sections of the product labels that will require Spanish translations, the Spanish Translation Guide provides examples of an agricultural use box and precautionary statements where required PPE and other health and safety statements must be inserted on the pesticide label. The Agency is reviewing the Spanish Translation Guide and considering updates for the future.
EPA encourages the use of the language in the Spanish Translation Guide for being a “true and accurate translation of the English text.” However, use of the specific language from the Spanish Translation Guide is not required. The registrant must ensure that “true and accurate” Spanish translations are included for each section of the label that is included in the Agency’s Spanish Translation Guide.
PRIA 5 requires the Agency to notify registrants within 10 days of updating the Spanish Translation Guide.
- For agricultural use pesticide labels, companies must update their product label with the new information within one year after the date of publication of the updated Spanish Translation Guide or the latest EPA approved label (whichever is earlier).
- For antimicrobial and non-agricultural use pesticide labels, companies must update their product label with the new information within two years after the date of publication of the updated Spanish Translation Guide or the latest EPA approved label (whichever is earlier).