DPR Launches CalPEST to Modernize and Streamline Pesticide Registration Process and Accelerate Availability of Alternatives

Recently, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) launched a highly anticipated, modernized, online system to streamline the department’s pesticide registration process.

The California Pesticide Electronic Submission Tracking (CalPEST) system will reduce the time associated with the processing of registration actions, improve transparency into DPR's evaluation and registration process, and facilitate approval of safer alternatives needed to transition California to more-sustainable pest management.

Specifically, CalPEST will improve the department's registration process by:
•    Increasing internal efficiency by allowing for the simultaneous review of data submitted with an application by multiple scientific programs to evaluate ecotoxicology, chemistry, microbiology, plant physiology, pest and disease protection, human health risks, surface water, groundwater and air quality risks, and risks to worker health and safety.
•    Improving registration transparency and communication with pesticide registrants by providing a central location for real-time status updates and improvements to the type of information on timelines for the department's scientific evaluation and application processing

Streamlining the state's registration process is identified as a priority action in the Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap. The roadmap, which was developed by a cross-sector, diverse work group and was released by DPR in January 2023, includes a series of recommended interconnected actions to achieve the goal of replacing high-risk priority pesticide uses with sustainable pest management practices.

Improving and streamlining DPR's pesticide registration and evaluation programs will facilitate and accelerate the availability of lower-risk products, practices and technologies to reduce the use of high-risk pesticides.

"The launch of CalPEST is a historic milestone for DPR in our work to modernize and streamline our registration process and increase transparency into how we evaluate and register pesticides before they can be used or sold in California," said DPR Director Julie Henderson, adding that the system reflects the department's core values of accountability and continuous improvement.

Additional functionality and support for CalPEST is planned for implementation in spring 2025.
For more information on CalPEST, see DPR's website.