Docket Number: EPA–HQ–OPP–2011–0682

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Termination of Tanol Derivatives (Furanones) Registration Review 

In September 2011, the Agency initiated the registration review of the tanol derivatives 

(furanones) with the publication of a Preliminary Work Plan (PWP) and support documents 

which can be found at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0682. 

The registration review case was designated as case 3138. The two substances that were 

included in the tanol derivatives case were: gamma-nonalactone (2(3H)-furanone, dihydro-5-

pentyl), and gamma-undecalactone (5-heptyldihydro-2(3H)-furanone). These two substances 

only occur in pesticide products which also contain d-limonene. During the 60-day comment 

period that followed the opening of the public docket, the Agency received no comments. The 

public comment period closed on November 29, 2011. Additional background information about 

the furanones may be found in the PWP and the docket. 

Prior to and following initiation of the Furanones Registration Review, the Agency has been 

considering the role and status of the furanones in currently registered pesticide products. That 

led to a determination that the role of the tanol derivatives in currently registered pesticide 

products containing d-limonene is not as an active ingredient. Instead, their presence in those

currently registered pesticide products are as an inert ingredient. Consequently, the Agency has 

redesignated the tanol derivatives, at concentrations below 0.1% in products containing 

d-limonene, from active ingredient status to that of inert ingredients. Additionally, all registrants 

of products containing these furanones along with d-limonene have changed the status of the 

furanone ingredients from an active ingredient to an inert ingredient. As a result, there are no 

longer any currently registered pesticide products that contain the furanones as an active 

ingredient and therefore, no currently registered pesticide products remain in case 3138. Since 

there are no currently registered pesticide products in case 3138, and no currently registered 

pesticide products which contain the furanones as an active ingredient in combination with 

d-limonene, the Agency is hereby terminating the registration review of case 3138 pursuant to 40 

CFR Section 155.42. Additionally, in this announcement of the termination of the Furanones 

Registration Review, the Agency is also announcing the redesignation of the tanol derivatives in 

concentrations of less than 0.1% in products containing d-limonene as inert ingredients.

Redesignation of the Tanol Derivatives (Furanones) to Inert Ingredients

The tanol derivatives are naturally occurring lactones (cyclic esters) found in fruits (e.g., 

apricots, and peaches), meat and milk. They have been approved as a food additive by the US

Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and are used in cosmetic products (such as lotions, 

detergents, and perfumes). Based on the concentration and the role of the tanol derivatives in 

currently registered products, the Agency has redesignated the tanol derivatives as inert 

ingredients. The Agency has evaluated data on the tanol derivatives regarding their use as 

fragrance components in nonfood use pesticide product formulations (as part of the Fragrance 

Pilot Program, http://www.epa.gov/opprd001/inerts/fmaingredient.pdf), and found that, at 

concentrations below 0.1%, the tanol derivatives in combination with d-limonene do not function 

as pesticidal active ingredients. Therefore, the Agency determined that the presence of tanol 

derivatives in pesticide products containing d-limonene is a fragrance component of such end use 
Docket Number: EPA–HQ–OPP–2011–0682

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products. The Agency does not consider such use of tanol derivatives for fragrance purposes at 

concentrations below 0.1% to be pesticidal.

With the redesignation of the tanol derivatives, and the absence of any currently registered 

pesticides with tanol derivatives as an active ingredient, the Agency is concluding the 

registration review of case 3138, tanol derivatives, as discussed herein. This redesignation of the 

tanol derivatives from active ingredients to inert ingredients, when in combination with the 

active ingredient d-limonene, does not change the status of any pesticide products which contain 

one or more of the tanol derivatives in combination with d-limonene as an active ingredient. The 

products which were originally part of the Furanones Registration Review contain d-limonene as 

an active ingredient and are included in the d-limonene Registration Review, case 3083. These 

products remain in the d-limonene Registration Review case and are subject to that registration 

review.