EPA eases regulations on water-soluble packaging

In the past, manufacturers were required to go through the lengthy and costly process of obtaining a second registration number after initially registering the product with different packaging. That's because under the old rules, water-soluble packaging was considered an ingredient--albeit an inert one--in the product, and was so described in the confidential statement of formula filed with EPA. Now, packaging information is listed separately in the formula. "Manufacturers complained to us that requiring two registrations for the same product meant it cost them twice as much to sell their products," said a spokesperson from EPA's Office of Pesticides. "It also discouraged them from using water-soluble packaging that reduces risks to users and helps prevent pollution. We agreed with them."