California DPR Announces Detailed Information on Proposed Registration Fee Increase and Information on Webinar Scheduled for April 23, 2024
On April 17, 2024, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) announced the details of its webinar scheduled for Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. (PDT). The webinar is to discuss and receive feedback from registrants and other stakeholders on DPR’s intent to increase registration fees to a level that, according to DPR, supports the current and future business needs of the pesticide registration program.
DPR states it has determined that current registration fees are not sufficient to support the ongoing work of the pesticide registration program, so it finds it necessary to raise pesticide product registration, amendment, and renewal fees. DPR is holding this webinar to discuss this proposal with the public and obtain feedback from registrants.
Currently, DPR charges a fee of $1,150 for each application to register a new pesticide product, $25 for each label amendment and notification, and $1,525 for each product’s annual renewal. The registration fees were last increased in early fall 2021, primarily to support development of California’s Pesticide Electronic Submission Tracking (CalPEST). DPR states that CalPEST will convert DPR’s current paper-based processes into a technology-based system, which, according to DPR, will provide several benefits to both registrants and DPR. While the costs of CalPEST were included in the 2021 registration fee increase, there were additional increases in expenditures that were not anticipated. These costs have led to registration expenditures exceeding revenues, and the deficit between revenues and expenditures is projected to continue to grow in the coming years.
DPR proposes to increase the following fees to support the current registration program funding needs as well as to support funding needs in the proposed 2024-2025 Governor’s budget.
| Category | Current Fees | Proposed Fee to Include Current 2023/2024 Program Costs | Proposed Fee Increase Associated with Current Needs and the 2024-2025 Proposed Budget |
| New Product Application | $1,150 | $1,400 | $1,500 |
| Renewals | $1,525 | $1,850 | $2,300 |
| All Amendments and Notifications | $25 | $300 | $300 |
| Approximate Revenues Generated | $20,500,000 | $25,300,000 | $31,100,000 |
DPR states that anticipated outcomes associated with the proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget include:
- By 2025, streamline DPR’s registration process, including expedited pathways for alternatives to high-risk pesticides and products to fill gaps in managing urgent pest pressures.
- By 2026, eliminate backlog and initiate pesticide registration evaluations within 30 days of receiving necessary information.
- By 2027, develop framework for evaluating, and update and clarify data requirements for novel and emerging pest management technologies.
The webinar will be held on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (PDT), and will be offered through the remote webinar service Zoom for participants who intend to provide an oral question or comment. The webinar may be accessed online or by the Zoom link:
- Webinar ID: 836 7111 4781
- Passcode: 662776
- Telephone number to join (enter the Webinar ID and Password when prompted): 888 475 4499
- U.S. Toll-free: 877 853 5257
Comments on the proposed fee increases are due on or before May 17, 2024. Comments may be sent to regfees@cdpr.ca.gov, or by U.S. mail to Department of Pesticide Regulation, Pesticide Registration Branch, 1001 I Street, P.O. Box 4015, Sacramento, CA 95812-4015. Comments submitted by U.S. mail must be postmarked no later than May 17, 2024.