Bug soap, spray or lotion and the FDA

[heather s]

Can somebody who sells insect repelling products in the US tell me about the process of getting it approved by the FDA?

 

[new12soap]

Not sure, but I believe the EPA is involved with anything labeled insect repellent. And I think the number of hoops you would have to jump through would be insane. Sorry, I have no facts or direction to offer, but that is one of the few things I know first-hand of people being shut down for, marketing anything as bug-repellent.

 

[heather s]

Finally found something! http://www.epa.gov/oppbppd1/biopesticides/regtools/25b_list.htm

Seems as if there are labeling rules but as long as I stick to the ingredients listed on this page then no approval is needed. This just got a lot easier!

 

[Obsidian]

That page is about pesticides, the kind you spray on plants to kill insects. Not insect repellant for human application. Why don't you email the FDA and ask what you need to do to sell natural repellant.

 

[heather s]

Pretty sure it is for repellents. This is the page that led me there:
http://cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect/

FDA page said insect repellents regulated by EPA and not FDA. Think as long as I follow the EPA label requirements it's good. Good idea to check with both agencies to be sure though.

 

[The Efficacious Gentleman]

It might also depend on what the product is - if it is just an insect repellent or if it is that plus a sun screen/soap/moisturiser and so on......