(a) What is the purpose of the regulations in this subpart? The regulations in this subpart establish design and construction requirements for refillable containers used for the distribution or sale of some pesticide products.

(b) Do I have to comply with the regulations in this subpart? (1) You must comply with all of the regulations in this subpart if you are a registrant who distributes or sells a pesticide product in refillable containers. If your pesticide product is subject to the regulations in this subpart as set out in § 165.43, your pesticide product must be distributed or sold in a refillable container that meets the standards of these regulations. This includes your pesticide products that are repackaged according to subpart D of this part.

(2) You must comply with the regulations in § 165.45(f) for stationary pesticide containers if you are a refiller of a pesticide product and you are not the registrant of the pesticide product. If the pesticide product is subject to the regulations in this subpart as set out in § 165.43, the stationary pesticide containers used to distribute or sell the product must meet the standards of § 165.45(f).

(3) If you are a refiller of a pesticide product and you are not a registrant of the pesticide product, § 165.45(a)(2) provides an exemption from some of the requirements in § 165.45(a)(1) .

(c) When do I have to comply? Any pesticide product packaged in a refillable container and released for shipment by you after August 16, 2011 must be packaged in a refillable container that complies with the regulations of this subpart.

(a) Are manufacturing use products subject to the regulations in this subpart? No, the regulations in this subpart do not apply to manufacturing use products, as defined in § 158.153(h) of this chapter.

(b) Are plant-incorporated protectants subject to the regulations in this subpart? No, the regulations in this subpart do not apply to plant-incorporated protectants, as defined in § 174.3 of this chapter.

(c) Which antimicrobial pesticide products are not subject to the regulations in this subpart? The regulations in this subpart do not apply to a pesticide product if it satisfies all of the following conditions:

(1) The pesticide product meets one of the following two criteria:

(i) The pesticide product is an antimicrobial pesticide as defined in FIFRA section 2(mm); or

(ii) The pesticide product: (A) Is intended to: disinfect, sanitize, reduce or mitigate growth or development of microbiological organisms; or protect inanimate objects, industrial processes or systems, surfaces, water, or other chemical substances from contamination, fouling, or deterioration caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, algae, or slime; and

(B) In the intended use is subject to a tolerance under section 408 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or a food additive regulation under section 409 of such Act.

(2) The labeling of the pesticide product includes directions for use on a site in at least one of the following antimicrobial product use categories: food handling/storage establishments premises and equipment; commercial, institutional, and industrial premises and equipment; residential and public access premises; medical premises and equipment; human drinking water systems; materials preservatives; industrial processes and water systems; antifouling coatings; wood preservatives; or swimming pools.

(3) The pesticide product is not a hazardous waste as set out in part 261 of this chapter when the pesticide product is intended to be disposed.

(4) EPA has not specifically determined that the pesticide product must be subject to the regulations in this subpart to prevent an unreasonable adverse effect on the environment according to the provisions of paragraph (e) of this section.

(d) Which requirements must an antimicrobial swimming pool product comply with if it is not exempt from these regulations? An antimicrobial swimming pool product that is not exempt by paragraph (a), (b), or (c) of this section must comply with all of the regulations in this subpart except § 165.45(d) regarding marking and § 165.45(e) regarding openings. For the purposes of this subpart, an antimicrobial swimming pool product is a pesticide product that satisfies both of the following conditions:

(1) The pesticide product is intended to: disinfect, sanitize, reduce or mitigate growth or development of microbiological organisms; or protect inanimate objects, industrial processes or systems, surfaces, water, or other chemical substances from contamination, fouling, or deterioration caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, algae, or slime.

(2) The labeling of the pesticide product includes directions for use on only a site or sites in the antimicrobial product use category of swimming pools.

(e) How will EPA determine if an antimicrobial pesticide product otherwise exempted must be subject to the regulations in this subpart to prevent an unreasonable adverse effect on the environment? (1) EPA may determine that an antimicrobial pesticide product otherwise exempted by paragraph (c) of this section must be subject to the refillable container regulations in this subpart to prevent an unreasonable adverse effect on the environment if all of the following conditions exist:

(i) EPA obtains information, data or other evidence of a problem with the containers of a certain pesticide product or related group of products.

(ii) The information, data or other evidence is reliable and factual.

(iii) The problem causes or could reasonably be expected to cause an unreasonable adverse effect on the environment.

(iv) Complying with the container regulations could reasonably be expected to eliminate the problem.

(2) If EPA determines that an antimicrobial pesticide product otherwise exempted by paragraph (c) of this section must be subject to the refillable container regulations in this subpart to prevent an unreasonable adverse effect on the environment, EPA may require, by rule, that the product be distributed or sold in refillable containers that comply with all or some of the requirements in this subpart. Alternatively, EPA may notify the applicant or registrant of its intent to make such a determination. After allowing the applicant or registrant a reasonable amount of time to reply, EPA may require, by notification and as a condition of registration, that the product be distributed or sold in refillable containers that comply with all or some of the requirements in this subpart. For the purpose of the previous sentence, 60 days would be a reasonable amount of time to reply, although EPA may, in its discretion, provide more time. EPA may deny registration or initiate cancellation proceedings if the registrant fails to comply with the refillable container regulations within the time frames established by EPA in the rule or in its notification.

(f) What other pesticide products are subject to the regulations in this subpart? The regulations in this subpart apply to all pesticide products other than manufacturing use products, plant-incorporated protectants, and antimicrobial products that are exempt by paragraph (c) of this section. Antimicrobial products covered under paragraph (d) of this section are subject to the regulations indicated in paragraph (d) of this section.

(g) What does “pesticide product” or “pesticide” mean in the rest of this subpart? In § 165.43(h) through § 165.47, the term “pesticide product” or “pesticide” refers only to a pesticide product or a pesticide that is subject to the regulations in this subpart as described in paragraphs (a) through (f) of this section.

(h) Are there any other exceptions? (1) The regulations in this subpart do not apply to transport vehicles that contain pesticide in pesticide-holding tanks that are an integral part of the transport vehicle and that are the primary containment for the pesticide.

(2) The regulations in this subpart do not apply to containers that hold pesticides that are gaseous at atmospheric temperature and pressure.

(a) What Department of Transportation (DOT) standards do my refillable containers have to meet under this part if my pesticide product is not a DOT hazardous material? (1) A pesticide product that does not meet the definition of a hazardous material in 49 CFR 171.8 must be packaged in a refillable container that, if portable, is designed, constructed, and marked to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR 173.4, 173.5, 173.6, 173.24, 173.24a, 173.24b, 173.28, 173.155, 173.203, 173.213, 173.240(c), 173.240(d), 173.241(c), 173.241(d), part 178, and part 180 that are applicable to a Packing Group III material, or, if subject to a special permit, according to the applicable requirements of 49 CFR part 107 subpart B. The requirements in this paragraph apply to the pesticide product as it is packaged for transportation in commerce.

(2) A refiller is not required to comply with 49 CFR 173.28(b)(2) for pesticide products that are not DOT hazardous materials if the refillable container to be reused complies with the refillable container regulations in this subpart and the refilling is done in compliance with the repackaging regulations in subpart D of this part.

(b) What DOT standards do my refillable containers have to meet under this part if my pesticide product is a DOT hazardous material? (1) If your pesticide product meets the definition of a hazardous material in 49 CFR 171.8, the DOT requires your pesticide product to be packaged according to 49 CFR parts 171-180 or, if subject to a special permit, according to the applicable requirements of 49 CFR part 107 subpart B.

(2) For the purposes of these regulations, a pesticide product that meets the definition of a hazardous material in 49 CFR 171.8 must be packaged in a refillable container that, if portable, is designed, constructed, and marked to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR parts 171-180 or, if subject to a special permit, according to the applicable requirements of 49 CFR part 107 subpart B. The requirements in this paragraph apply to the pesticide product as it is packaged for transportation in commerce.

(c) What will EPA do if DOT proposes to change any of the cross-referenced regulations? If the DOT proposes to change any of the regulations that are incorporated in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, EPA will provide notice of the proposed changes and an opportunity to comment in the Federal Register. Following notice and comment, EPA will take final action regarding whether or not to revise its rules, and the extent to which any such revision will correspond with revised DOT regulations.

(d) What standards for marking do my refillable containers have to meet? Each refillable container must be marked in a durable and clearly visible manner with a serial number or other identifying code that will distinguish the individual container from all other containers. Durable marking includes, but is not limited to, etching, embossing, ink jetting, stamping, heat stamping, mechanically attaching a plate, molding, and marking with durable ink. The serial number or other identifying code must be located on the outside part of the container except on a closure. Placement on the label or labeling is not sufficient unless the label is an integral, permanent part of or permanently stamped on the container.

(e) What standards for openings do my refillable containers have to meet? If your refillable container is a portable pesticide container that is designed to hold liquid pesticide formulations and is not a cylinder that complies with the DOT Hazardous Materials Regulations in 49 CFR parts 171-180, each opening of the container other than a vent must have a one-way valve, a tamper-evident device or both. A one-way valve may be located in a device or system separate from the container if the device or system is the only reasonably foreseeable way to withdraw pesticide from the container. A vent must be designed to minimize the amount of material that could be introduced into the container through it.

(f) What standards do my stationary pesticide containers have to meet? If a stationary pesticide container designed to hold undivided quantities of pesticides equal to or greater than 500 gallons (1,890 liters) of liquid pesticide or equal to or greater than 4,000 pounds (1,818 kilograms) of dry pesticide is located at the refilling establishment of a refiller operating under written contract to you, the stationary pesticide container must meet the following standards:

(1) Except during a civil emergency or any unanticipated grave natural disaster or other natural phenomenon of an exceptional, inevitable and irresistible character, the effects of which could not have been prevented or avoided by the exercise of due care or foresight, each stationary pesticide container (for liquid and dry pesticides) and its appurtenances must meet both of the following standards:

(i) Each stationary pesticide container and its appurtenances must be resistant to extreme changes in temperature and constructed of materials that are adequately thick to not fail and that are resistant to corrosion, puncture, or cracking.

(ii) Each stationary pesticide container must be capable of withstanding all operating stresses, taking into account static heat, pressure buildup from pumps and compressors, and any other foreseeable mechanical stresses to which the container may be subjected in the course of operations.

(2) Each stationary container of liquid pesticides must meet all of the following standards:

(i) Each stationary container of liquid pesticides must be equipped with a vent or other device designed to relieve excess pressure, prevent losses by evaporation, and exclude precipitation.

(ii) External sight gauges, which are pesticide-containing hoses or tubes that run vertically along the exterior of the container from the top to the bottom, are prohibited on stationary containers of liquid pesticides.

(iii) Each connection on a stationary container of liquid pesticides that is below the normal liquid level must be equipped with a shutoff valve which is capable of being locked closed. A shutoff valve must be located within a secondary containment unit if one is required by subpart E of this part.

(g) Can I obtain a waiver from or a modification to any of the refillable container standards? Yes, it is possible for you to obtain a waiver from or a modification to some of the refillable container standards, as follows:

(1) EPA may waive or modify the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section regarding the DOT standards for pesticide products that are not DOT hazardous materials if EPA determines that an alternative (partial or modified) set of standards or pre-existing requirements achieves a level of safety that is at least equal to that specified in the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section.

(2) EPA may waive or modify the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section regarding the DOT standards for pesticide products that are DOT hazardous materials if EPA determines that an alternative (partial or modified) set of standards or pre-existing requirements achieves a level of safety that is at least equal to that specified in the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section. EPA will modify or waive the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section only after consulting with DOT to ensure consistency with DOT regulations and exemptions.

(h) How do I obtain a waiver from or a modification to any of the refillable container standards? To obtain a waiver from or a modification to any of the refillable container standards, you must submit a written request for a waiver or a modification to the EPA to the following address: Office of Pesticide Programs (7504P); U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Ariel Rios Building; 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20460. You cannot distribute or sell the pesticide product in a refillable container that does not comply with all of the refillable container standards unless and until EPA approves the request for the waiver or modification in writing. You must include two copies of the following information (which may be part of an application for registration or amended registration) with your written request:

(1) The name and address of the registrant; the date; and the name, title, signature, and phone number of the company official making the request.

(2) The name and EPA registration number of the pesticide product for which the waiver or modification is requested.

(3) A statement specifying the requirement or requirements from which you are requesting a waiver or a modification.

(4) A description of the refillable container or containers for which the waiver or modification is requested.

(5) Documentation or justification to demonstrate that the applicable waiver or modification criteria in paragraph (g) of this section are satisfied.

You are not required to report to EPA with information about your refillable containers under the regulations in this subpart. You should refer to the reporting standards in part 159 of this chapter to determine if information on container failures or other incidents involving pesticide containers must be reported to EPA under FIFRA section 6(a)(2) (7 U.S.C. 136d(a)(2)).