EPA & FDA Regulations
Hartz wholeheartedly endorses the EPA advisory’s call to action to pet owners regarding the importance of carefully following label directions and making informed decisions when selecting and using spot-on flea and tick pesticides.
EPA regulations are just as stringent as FDA regulations.
Ectoparasiticides used on dogs and cats are approved and regulated by either the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Many people believe the FDA is a more stringent and demanding process. However, EPA-monitored flea and tick products are tested and monitored just as rigorously since all of the products under their watch can be sold over the counter directly to the consumer.
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WHAT ARE THE FACTS? |
FDA |
EPA |
| What kind of active ingredients do they regulate? | The FDA regulates active ingredients that exert an effect by systemic distribution and absorption. | The EPA regulates active ingredients that exert an effect by remaining within layers of the skin. |
| Is every product subjected to rigorous testing before it is registered? |
Yes | Yes |
| How is active ingredient(s) safety tested? | On target animals and in laboratory animals. Multiple tests are required to prove safely recommended doses, as well as margins of safety at higher levels and for longer periods of time. | Same as the FDA. |
| How is active ingredient efficacy tested? | Field studies on target animals are required; sometimes owner evaluations are necessary, as well. | Same as the FDA. |
Further examination of the EPA tells us that every chemical that’s tested receives a score for each safety evaluation. The EPA then uses results from five evaluations — acute oral, acute dermal, acute inhalation, primary eye irritation, and primary skin irritation — to assign an overall safety profile designation. The overall safety profile designation is contingent on the worst category score across all five safety evaluations and is indicated by a Roman numeral:
- Danger
- Warning
- Caution
- No signal word required: “Caution” is acceptable
It's important to remember — and to explain to your clients:
- EPA Category I is most severe
- EPA Category IV is LEAST toxic
- “Least toxic” does not compromise efficacy
Hartz® UltraGuard Pro® products carry some of the industry’s LEAST toxic EPA ratings.
The active ingredients in Hartz® UltraGuard Pro® brand products:
- Have some of the LEAST toxic EPA ratings in their class.
- Have EPA ratings that are better than or as good as AIs found in all other leading flea and tick control products, including those sold exclusively through veterinary channels.
