The Termiticide Label Review Committee (TLRC) was established to represent ASPCRO and act in an advisory capacity to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and termiticide registrants. The TLRC reviews and provides assessments of new and revised termiticide formulations, directions for use labeling, and reviews supporting efficacy data. The role of the TLRC is delineated in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the EPA and ASPCRO, which established this committee.
The TLRC performs reviews on 1) new or novel active ingredients for soil treatments, termite baits, and wood-treatment products, and 2) amendments or revisions to termiticide label rates or methods of application for currently registered termite management products. Although input from the TLRC is not mandatory in the federal registration process, the EPA often recommends that pesticide registrants first seek input from the TLRC prior to finalizing their registration decision at the federal level. As a result, pesticide registrants often work directly with the TLRC prior to submitting a registration request to the EPA to ensure the states’ concerns are considered. This type of registrant/TLRC interaction allows for state regulatory considerations to be included in registration packets prior to federal registration decision-making.
In order to maintain trade secrets, all proceedings with the TLRC are kept confidential between the committee, the product registrant, and the EPA, and any committee reports submitted to the ASPCRO Board or the full ASPCRO membership are made in a manner to protect proprietary information.
Until recently, termiticide performance data were reviewed in accordance with the performance guidelines provided in Pesticide Registration Notice 96-7. In August 2011, the ASPCRO Board approved a performance efficacy guideline that the TLRC will apply to future reviews and label assessments. This guideline was developed in concert with the TLRC and the ASPCRO Termiticides Standard Committee (TSC) (Please see the TSC web-page for a narrative on the role and makeup of that committee).
Membership of the committee is described in the ASPCRO-US EPA MOU and is comprised of 3 to 5 state regulatory officials who are active members of ASPCRO; and a minimum of two representatives that have expertise in termites from the scientific community. Committee members and the chair serve 3-year, renewable terms. The chair of the committee must be one of the state regulatory officials.
