Key Updates Regarding 25(b) Insect Repellent Products
• Mosquitoes are a ‘vector’ for carrying disease and are a pest of public health significance.
• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not allow 25(b) products to make claims that they can protect the user from diseases like West Nile virus, encephalitis, malaria, Dengue fever, Zika virus, Lyme disease, etc.
• States register 25(b) products, not the federal government or the EPA. Therefore, it is the responsibility of each state to monitor and enforce misleading 25(b) claims.
• 36 different State Compliance Offices, spearheaded by Indiana and Virginia’s State Insecticide Regulatory Agencies, joined forces forming The 25(b) Industry Group to enact laws and to enforce compliance for the proper labeling of all 25(b) products.
• The 25(b) Industry Group is concerned about consumer confusion in the marketplace with 25(b) products misleading consumers into believing they can obtain the same safeguards as a DEET-based product. Specifically, claims like: “DEET-free for repelling mosquitoes”, “Repels up to X hours”, or more erroneous claims such as “same protection you need without toxic ingredients (DEET).”
• BUGG Products LLC produces one 25(b) insect repellent and two (2) EPA registered DEET-based insect repellents.
• BUGG labeling claims are consistent with EPA guidelines and BUGG is working directly with The 25(b) Industry Group to insure our 25(b) BUGGINS Natural label meets and/or exceeds the standard for all states labeling requirements.
• BUGGINS Natural label states, “When mosquitoes, ticks or biting flies are a concern, use our BUGGINS Insect Repellent with DEET.”
Click here to review the latest FIFRA Minimum Risk Pesticides – 25(b) Product Efficacy Data Guidance update
For further information visit the EPA’s website here
Click here for more information on BUGGINS Natural Insect Repellent.