Pesticide labels are regulated by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).  Pesticides contain active and inert ingredients. The active ingredient and its percentage by weight must be printed on the front of the label. The toxicity ratings on the Grow Green fact sheet pages with products are based on the active ingredient.

Active ingredients are substances that destroy, prevent or repel a pest; or they can act as a plant regulator, defoliant, desiccant or nitrogen stabilizer.

 Inert ingredients are all of the other ingredients used in a pesticide.  They are defined not by what they are, but what they are not because they aren’t necessarily chemically or biologically inert and can contribute substantially to the hazards of the product. 

Currently inerts ingredients don’t have to be identified by name or percentage of weight, however, the EPA is now considering public disclosure of all inert ingredients.

Featured Programs & Services

Labels

• Finding Active Ingredients on a Pesticide Label
• Inert Ingredients in Pesticides (EPA)
• Read the Label First (EPA)
• What is in Pesticides?

Products

• Colorado Environmental & Pesticide Education Program (Colorado State University)
• Least-toxic Products by Active Ingredient
• Least-toxic Products by Problem
• Least-toxic Products by Product Name
• Pesticides home page (EPA)
• Pesticide Management Education Program (Cornell University)
• Toxicology Data Network (US Library of Medicine)

Active Ingredient Information Links