Web-Distribution of Labeling Work Group Discussion Paper

Website Hosting 

Issue 

The primary goal of web-distributed labeling is to make the most current version of stateapproved marketed product labeling available to users electronically. This system will require 

large amounts of labeling language to be available via the Internet. What should the architecture 

of the website be and which entity or entities should have the responsibility for maintaining the 

content in the related database(s)? 

Background 

EPA is currently exploring the concept of distributing pesticide labeling over the Internet as webdistributed labeling. Although many sources offer access to labeling information electronically, 

it is available in a variety of formats, there is no single access point, and it may be unknown if 

the posted label is accurate and legally current. Some registrants have websites with information 

on their own products. Some states have developed the capability to publish approved labeling 

by PDF. Third-party websites offer a variety of Internet access to PDF labeling or information 

extracted from state-approved labeling. 

The goal of this project is to have a website or websites that could provide users, the public, 

States, registrants and EPA with the following minimum functionality: 

1. Access to the most current and accurate version of web-distributed labeling 

2. Retrieve portions of the labeling related to a specific state and use site (e.g. use on wheat 

in Kansas) 

3. Maintain historical versions of marketed product labeling 

4. Easy to navigate 

A more complete discussion of the functionality of the web-distributed labeling website(s) is 

covered in a separate discussion paper. 

Apart from web-distributed labeling, EPA is developing an E-label initiative which will include 

structured labeling content, a searchable master labeling database, and the ability for EPA to 

receive, review and approve master labeling electronically. Some states also have systems in 

place that allow them to review and approve marketed product labeling electronically, although 

there is a high degree of variability in resources and review processes across states. The system 

for web-distributed labeling may be linked to state or EPA websites, but such connections are not 

a requirement. 

As the Agency moves closer to developing a pilot for web-distributed labeling, it must decide 

what entity or entities should host the website for distribution of state-approved marketed 

product labeling and whether this type of labeling should be accessed through a single or 

multiple portals & websites. This paper discusses options for the website portal and databases, 

and potential hosts and the advantages and disadvantages associated with each. 

 

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Assumptions 

• Any option for web-distributed labeling website hosting should not result in unfunded 

mandates on states or requirements for states to change their existing infrastructure for 

reviewing and approving container labeling. 

• Any option for hosting would not require users to pay a fee to search for or download 

labeling. 

• Any option for hosting would be consistent with all state regulations that prohibit 

charging registration fees to registrants. 

• Any portal will be able to restrict the search by state. 

• The database would have sufficient search and refined query functions to deliver 

streamlined marketed product labeling appropriate for that state and use site. 

• Other issues associated with web-distributed labeling (e.g. web-distributed labeling 

lifespan, scope of web-distributed labeling, and website functionality) are beyond the 

scope of this issue paper and will be addressed separately. 

Website Portal & Database Options 

There are two critical components in the architecture of the web-distributed labeling system: the 

portal, i.e., the initial website visited by users or the public to begin their search for webdistributed labeling, and the database(s) holding the web-distributed marketed product labeling. 

This section describes the possible combinations and the advantages and disadvantages 

associated with each. 

Single Website Portal & Database

A single website and database would begin with one access point for all information related to 

web-distributed labeling. The information necessary to search for and obtain the web-distributed 

labeling would be maintained in a single database, similar to visiting the website of a small shop 

(e.g. Washington Local Bookseller) and searching the inventory for a particular title. 

Advantages: 

• Would assure standard delivery format for labeling 

• Single access point would be easier for users to remember 

• Single database to review for enforcement personnel 

Disadvantages 

• Large amount of information to be processed and maintained by a single entity 

• May require changes in pesticide review and registration processes by all entities 

involved 

Single Website Portal with Multiple Databases

A single website with multiple databases would be similar to a service such as Amazon. All 

users visit the Amazon.com website to search for their products, and Amazon searches multiple 

databases (of warehouses and partner dealers) to provide the requested information back to the 

user. A single pesticide labeling portal is linked to state, registrant and/or third party databases. 

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Advantages 

• Single website portal would be easier for users to remember and use 

• Single portal would allow users to search across multiple databases 

• Provides for multiple entities to share the responsibility of maintaining and updating 

databases, including liability for errors. 

• Standardized databases would facilitate easier searches for enforcement purposes 

Disadvantages 

• A standard database format would be necessary for the search engine to function 

• If states are the only entity allowed to supply information to the databases, it may require 

changes in state procedures 

Multiple Website Portals with Multiple Databases

Multiple website portals with multiple databases would require the user to visit a specific site for 

each product. It would be similar to the multiple options available to purchase a book online. A 

user can visit Borders.com, Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.com but cannot search all three 

databases at once for information on a title. Each database much be searched separately. 

Advantages 

• Would allow each entity to maintain data in its own format 

• The likely variety in approaches would provide insights into what website design features 

users found most usable which could be adopted by other sites or as critical functions 

• Liability for database errors clearly falls under the website host. 

Disadvantages 

• No ability to search across websites 

• Increased burden on enforcement personnel to search across multiple websites 

• Multiple access points would not be easy for the user to remember, although the website 

address for a specific product would appear on the marketed product container label. 

 

Potential Website Portal and Database Host Entities 

EPA

As the Federal authority for pesticide registration and regulation, EPA is involved in the 

registration of all pesticides. It maintains historical records of all master labels submitted and 

approved, and it is developing a structured database for all master labeling content (E-label 

program). If EPA were to host the website for web-distributed labeling, EPA would likely 

operate a single portal website and would likely rely on other entities (e.g., registrants or states) 

to provide the electronic files on state-approved marketed product labeling that would be 

accessed by and through the website. 

Advantages 

• Would provide a centralized database for all products participating in web-distributed 

market labeling 

• Would provide a standard format for all labeling delivery 

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Disadvantages 

• Economic costs to EPA to develop and maintain 

• EPA’s website is not known to be user-friendly 

• EPA is not always able to adopt the most current technology in a timely manner 

• Capturing state approvals of marketed product labeling could represent a significant 

challenge 

• Questions could arise related to whether EPA or the database provider would bear 

liability for any labeling errors that are posted, delivered, and followed. 

• EPA may not be able or may be less likely than other potential website hosts to include 

content/links to commercial sites 

States

State lead agencies have the final authority to approve marketed product labeling submitted by 

registrants for sale and distribution in their states and to conduct enforcement actions. They also 

have a closer relationship with users. An approach that relies on states to design and maintain 

websites for web-distributed labeling would probably require a single portal. 

Advantages 

• Having the ultimate approval authority before the pesticide labeling enters the 

marketplace, states are in an excellent position to know what product labeling is approved 

• States with electronic approval processes could post the accepted labeling immediately 

Disadvantages 

• High degree of variability across states in terms of resources and review processes could 

lead to the need for investment in new state infrastructure 

• May impose new resource burdens on states 

• May necessitate process changes for states 

• States may not be able or may be less likely than other potential website hosts to include 

content/links to commercial sites 

Registrants

Registrants manufacture and market pesticides. As the entities responsible for securing the 

approval of EPA and States, registrants have the most complete knowledge of both the master 

labeling and marketed product labeling. If registrants were to host websites for web-distributed 

labeling, they each might choose to operate a site for their own products and also be the source 

for the versions of state-approved marketed product labeling that would be accessed by and 

through the website. 

Advantages 

• Many registrants already post marketed product labeling online in PDF format 

• Registrants can generally adapt to new technologies quickly 

• With fewer products, the data management task may be easier 

• Registrants have knowledge of decisions made at all steps in the registration processes 

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• Registrants would be more likely than other potential website hosts to include content 

beyond state-approved, marketed labeling 

• Liability regarding accuracy of marketed product labeling with registrants is clear 

Disadvantages 

• Multiple registrant websites could have very different user interfaces; difficult to 

implement a standard format and search ability 

• Differences in website presentation could potentially deter users from purchasing 

products due to difficulty in locating or understanding web-distributed labeling on 

various company websites 

• Enforcement research across multiple websites could be a resource burden 

• Documenting violations might be difficult if registrants can alter websites quickly 

Third-Party Vendors

Third-party vendors could include for-profit and not-for profit organizations. Some provide a 

service to registrants and states facilitating electronic submission of labeling, or to the public by 

harvesting available pesticide registration data and making it available online. Some third-party 

vendors charge a subscription fee. If one or more third parties were to host the website(s) for 

web-distributed labeling, there could be only one site or multiple sites. Third parties would 

likely rely on other entities (e.g., registrants or states) to provide the electronic files on stateapproved marketed product labeling that would be accessed by and through the website(s). 

Advantages: 

• Could provide a single, searchable site 

• Marketplace could encourage quicker adoption of new database-driven delivery 

technologies to provide a user-friendly website and customer service 

Disadvantages 

• Multiple parties handling data (registrants and third-parties) results in a higher likelihood 

for errors 

• EPA cannot give the impression of supporting one vendor over others without going 

through a competitive process 

• Third parties could be less likely than other potential website hosts to include content 

beyond master labeling and state-approved, marketed labeling 

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