Labels and Labeling

About 6 of every 50 questions on each state's practice exam (Alaska Core, Alabama General Standards, California Laws, Regulations and Basic Principles, Delaware Core, Florida Core, Georgia General Standards, Idaho Core Competency, Illinois General Standards, Illinois General Standards (Structural), Kansas General Exam, Louisiana General Standards, Louisiana Structural General Standards, Massachusetts Core, Maine Commercial Core, Missouri CORE, Montana Core, North Carolina Core, New Jersey Core, Nevada Core and Laws, New York Core, Ohio Commercial Core, Pennsylvania Core, Rhode Island Commercial Licensing, Texas General Standards (Agricultural), Texas General Standards (Structural), Virginia Core, Vermont Core, Washington Laws and Safety and West Virginia Core) come from this topic.

Sources checked November 10, 2026

What to know

Know the difference between the label (matter on or attached to the container) and labeling (everything accompanying the product or referred to on the label, except current official publications of EPA, USDA and similar federal or state research agencies), and that using a registered pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling is unlawful under FIFRA, with narrow exceptions such as applying at a lower rate (unless the labeling prohibits it) or against an unlisted pest on a labeled site. Learn the required label parts in 40 CFR 156.10, including the product name, brand or trademark, ingredient statement whose percentages total 100, EPA Reg. No. and EPA Est. number, directions for use, and the Restricted Use Pesticide statement at the top of the front panel. Signal words follow the highest toxicity category by any route: DANGER for Category I (plus 'Poison' and the skull and crossbones when based on oral, dermal or inhalation toxicity), WARNING for II, CAUTION for III, and no required signal word for IV, always based on the product as sold. Labels need 'Keep Out of Reach of Children' on the front panel, on its own line near any signal word, even on Category IV products, unless EPA waives it (for example, for a repellent approved for use on children), and Category I first aid statements belong on the front panel. Also review the precautionary statement groups (human hazards under 156.70, environmental hazards under 156.85, physical or chemical hazards under 156.78), Storage and Disposal statements, how restricted-entry intervals are set by toxicity category, and the concepts of supplemental labeling, Section 24(c) special local need labels and Section 18 emergency exemptions.

Where it comes from

• 7 U.S.C. § 136(p), (ee)
• 7 U.S.C. § 136j(a)(2)
• 7 U.S.C. §§ 136p, 136v(c)
• 40 CFR § 156.10
• 40 CFR §§ 156.62, 156.64
• 40 CFR §§ 156.66, 156.68, 156.70
• 40 CFR §§ 156.78, 156.85
• 40 CFR § 156.208

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