DPR Opens Nominations for New Scientific Advisory Committee on Pesticide Prioritization
What you need to know: The California Department of Pesticide Regulation is accepting nominations for a new advisory committee to provide scientific advice and additional public transparency to the department’s efforts to protect people and the environment. The Scientific Prioritization and Review Committee (SPARC) will support implementation of California’s Sustainable Pest Management Roadmap, which calls for a statewide transition to safer, more sustainable pest management practices.
SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) is accepting nominations for a new scientific advisory committee that will support the department’s efforts to prioritize pesticides for continuous evaluation and potential regulatory action.
The Scientific Prioritization and Review Committee, or SPARC, will provide science-based recommendations to inform DPR’s transparent, data-driven process for identifying and addressing potential risks to human health and the environment from pesticide use. Once established, the committee will meet quarterly and serve as a public forum for discussing potential priority actions, including risk assessments, data requirements, mitigation development, and, when warranted, product cancellation.
“SPARC reflects DPR’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and science-based decision-making,” said DPR Director Karen Morrison. “This committee will help ensure our continuous evaluation process is informed by diverse expertise and public input and provide early opportunities for identifying where we need to pave the way for the development and adoption of effective alternatives.”
DPR is seeking nominations for up to 15 external members with expertise in specific fields. Members will be appointed by the DPR director and serve staggered terms.
SPARC will serve in an advisory capacity and will not hold decision-making authority. However, its recommendations will help DPR prioritize pesticides for further evaluation and action and identify areas where investments in alternatives are needed to allow for safe, effective, and sustainable pest management in California.
How the Process Works
Category 3: Submitted
SPARC members and the public may submit pesticides for DPR to consider. All submissions are initially categorized as Category 3 and will be posted publicly along with summary information.
Category 2: Data Collection
DPR selects a subset of Category 3 submissions for further review based on combination of toxicity data, use information, and exposure data. These Category 2 pesticides are discussed at SPARC meetings, where the committee provides feedback on scientific evidence, data gaps, and relative priority.
Category 1: Initiate Actions
SPARC will select up to four potential priorities per year for recommended action. DPR’s adoption of any recommendations are reflected in the department’s Continuous Evaluation and Mitigation Update Table and may lead to human health or environmental risk assessments, mitigation, alternatives assessment or other regulatory actions.
How to Apply
DPR is accepting nominations for SPARC members through December 1, 2025. Individuals may nominate themselves or others.
In addition to information on the committee’s development and the nomination process, see the SPARC webpage for the following:
- SPARC charter
- Roles and responsibilities
- Application form
- Summary of public feedback from the April 2025 workshop
- All comments received from the public comment period following the workshop
All SPARC meetings will be open to the public and will include opportunities for public comment. Meeting materials, including agendas and summaries, will be posted on the SPARC webpage.