PCOC Applauds Notice Not to Proceed on Proposed Pesticide Decontamination Sites Regs

The Pest Control Operators of California (PCOC) applauds the recent California Department of Pesticides (DPR) decision not to proceed with proposed regulations published in the California Regulatory Notice Register on March 17, 2023, concerning pesticide decontamination sites. On behalf of the professional pest management industry, PCOC raised concerns in their association’s comments that sections of the proposed changes were impracticable to implement and placed pest control companies and their employees in untenable positions.

PCOC’s CEO Michael E. Wilson stated, “The leadership of PCOC appreciates DPR’s willingness to work with PCOC representatives that sought to help the agency better understand the daily complexities that professional pest control industry representatives and technicians encounter. Through continued dialogue, we believe that we can strike a better balance of costs and burdens to secure more practical solutions to ensure the safety of our employees.”

President Mary Henandez added, “PCOC believes that our industry’s focus on existing personal protection equipment (PPE) requirements prevents exposure and provides adequate safety of employed persons. This is the sensible action that DPR should take instead of mandating the installation of eye wash stations.”

In their February 2, 2024, announcement, DPR did state: “Pursuant to Government Code section 11347, the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) hereby gives notice that it has decided to not proceed with the proposed regulatory action published in the California Regulatory Notice Register on March 17, 2023 (Register 2023, No. 11-Z, page 257, Notice File No. Z2023-0302-01) concerning pesticide decontamination sites at this time.  Instead, DPR will initiate a new regulatory action to adopt/amend regulations pertaining to the same or similar subject matter on a later date.” In the most recent development, DPR reached out to PCOC’s leadership last week to follow-up regarding scheduling a meeting with them to further discuss decontamination site regulations as a follow up on our meeting with them from June 2023. 

The PCOC leadership dedicates itself to cooperating with governmental agencies and the regulated industry to enhance safety and the quality of their operations for the betterment of all Californians. We appreciate the opportunity to provide continued input on pesticide decontamination sites regulation. It is PCOC’s belief that industry input is invaluable in shaping regulations that align with the best interests of California's pest management industry and its residents. We look forward to any further collaboration and engagement with DPR in the development of pragmatic regulatory requirements for pest management professionals in California.

To view DPR’s recent decision of February 2, 2024, click here. To read PCOC’s original comments to the DPR’s Proposed Pesticide Decontamination Sites in their entirety, please click here.