The Household & Commercial Products Association (HCPA) released the following statement today after Congress passed the 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which includes language to reauthorize the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA). PRIA provides the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) with the funding and resources it needs to bring pesticide products to market.
“PRIA is not only critical to HCPA members whose pesticide products require the EPA’s review and approval, but also to consumers and workers who are protected by these products,” said Steve Caldeira, President & CEO. “These are the products that sanitize and disinfect surfaces in homes and workplaces, including hospitals, hotels, and restaurants, keep fleas off pets, and prevent rodent and termite damage.
Getting PRIA passed this year was one of the household and commercial products industry’s top priorities for 2022. I am proud of the lead role that HCPA’s Government Relations and Scientific Affairs teams played in this process as part of the PRIA Coalition by collaborating with stakeholders, including allied trade associations and NGOs, to draft key provisions for the bill. The PRIA Coalition also worked together to fine-tune fee tables and coordinate meetings to educate Congressional staff about the importance of this legislation.”
In addition to PRIA, the omnibus bill contains final appropriations numbers for EPA programs, including pesticide licensing and toxics, which are critically important to HCPA members and the industry.
“During the appropriations process, HCPA regularly called on Congress to fully fund the EPA so the agency could operate effectively,” said Caldeira. “We were pleased to see that the Toxics Risk Review & Prevention program received a near $20 million boost, which will go a long way for staffing and providing the Agency with the resources it needs. The 2024 fiscal year budget process will begin soon, and HCPA will continue to emphasize the importance of adequate funding for the EPA.”
