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COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
- Information on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is changing rapidly. Please check back for the latest updates.
Food and Agriculture Industry FAQs
Sanitizer, Disinfectant, and Antimicrobial FAQs for Businesses and Facilities
- Helpful information for businesses and facilities using sanitizers, disinfectants, and antimicrobials against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is providing the following guidance to aid your business or facility in complying with state and federal pesticide use laws. If you have questions, please contact MDARD at 800-292-3939 or visit us online at Michigan.gov/MDARDPest.
Sanitizer, Disinfectant, and Antimicrobial FAQs for Businesses and Facilities (PDF) - Why do pesticide rules pertain to sanitizers and disinfectants?
- What is the difference between cleaners, sanitizers, disinfectants, and antimicrobials?
- Is "hand sanitizer" the same as "sanitizer"?
- Does my company need a Pesticide Application Business License to apply sanitizers and disinfectants?
- Do my employees need to be MDARD certified pesticide applicators to apply sanitizers and disinfectants?
- If I apply a disinfectant indoors which drains to a sanitary sewer or a septic system, is it considered movement that can affect surface or groundwater?
- What categories should applicators be certified in to apply sanitizers and disinfectants?
- Is bleach a pesticide?
- What sanitizers and disinfectants can my employees use to combat SARS-CoV-2?
- Can I provide free, bottled disinfectant to customers for use on countertops, playground equipment, and other surfaces?
- Can I provide bottled hand sanitizer to customers?
- Can my company provide outdoor sanitization/disinfection services to sidewalks, vehicle exteriors, and playground equipment?
- Can my power washing company provide outdoor sanitization/disinfection services?
- Can I spray antimicrobial coatings for hire to protect surfaces from SARS-CoV-2?
- Can I claim the disinfectant I use kills COVID-19?
- Can I claim the disinfectant I use is safer than other chemicals?
- What responsibilities do I have when applying a sanitizer or disinfectant?
- How do I select a disinfectant correctly for SARS-CoV-2?
Pesticide FAQs Related to Executive Order 2020-52
- See amendments in EO 2020-100.
Under Executive Order 2020-52, any three-year certificates that were set to expire on December 31, 2019 and were deemed unexpired will not expire until 60 days after the end of the states of emergency and disaster declared in Executive Order 2020-99 or the end of any subsequently declared states of disaster or emergency arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic, whichever comes later.
- EO 2020-52: Does Executive Order 2020-52 temporarily waive any other part of Michigan's Pesticide Law?
- EO 2020-52: Does Executive Order 2020-52 allow non-certified or non-registered commercial applicators to make pesticide applications under the supervision of a certified applicator?
- EO 2020-52: What happens to my pesticide applicator credential 60 days after termination of the state of emergency?
- EO 2020-52: How do I renew my pesticide applicator credential after the state of emergency is terminated?
- EO 2020-52: How will I take a pesticide applicator exam?
- EO 2020-52: Will my three-year pesticide applicator certification cycle change?
- EO 2020-52: Will MDARD print new pesticide applicator certification cards with a new expiration date to show that my credential is still current during the state of emergency and 60 days after its termination?
- EO 2020-52: If MDARD won't be issuing new cards, how will I be able to verify that I'm currently a certified pesticide applicator?
- EO 2020-52: How do I purchase restricted use pesticides (RUP) if my credential expired on December 31, 2019?
- I submitted my pesticide applicator certification renewal application but have not yet completed all my exams to renew the credential categories listed on my card expiring on December 31, 2019. Do I have to take/pass the exams that I still have remaining?
- EO 2020-52: My Pesticide Application Business (PAB) License has not been issued because the qualifying applicator was not able to renew their expired credential. Will Executive Order 2020-52 impact my pending PAB License?
- EO 2020-52: Will I be able to remain certified by reciprocity if my pesticide applicator certification from an adjacent state has expired?
- EO 2020-52: How does a new, initial commercial applicator obtain commercial pesticide applicator certification at this time?
- EO 2020-52: If I am approached by an inspector while applying pesticides within the 60-day window, how will the inspector know that I am legal?