FIFRA expressly preempts state common law tort claims against pesticide manufacturers to the extent they challenge the adequacy of labeling or packaging.
Plaintiffs sue a pesticide manufacturer for injuries from product exposure, asserting negligence, strict liability, and breach of implied warranty based on inadequate warnings. The court must determine whether the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act preempts these state law claims. The court applies the express preemption provision of the Act, which prohibits states from imposing labeling or packaging requirements in addition to or different from federal standards. The court holds that common law tort claims challenging the adequacy of warnings on labels, packaging, or related informational materials are preempted because they impose state standards on labeling. The court affirms the judgment, finding that the plaintiffs' claims are preempted to the extent they rely on inadequate labeling or packaging.
At page 518 Federal authority over pesticide labeling and packaging standards47 citing casesFIFRA denies states the authority to require that pesticide manufacturers conform to a state law standard of care in their labelling [sic] and packaging practices.
- Goodwin v. Bacon, 896 P.2d 673 (Wash. 1995).published See, e.g., Worm II, 5 F.3d at 747-49 (permitting claims for negligent testing and research based on defective product and express warranty claims not based on EPA-mandated statements); but see Papas II, 985 F.2d at 519-20 (holding FIFRA pr…
- Williams v. Dow Chem. Co., 255 F. Supp. 2d 219 (S.D.N.Y. 2003).published (FIFRA denies states the authority to require that pesticide manufacturers conform to a state law standard of care in their labelling [sic] and packaging practices.)
- Stansfield v. Minute Maid Co., 124 F. Supp. 3d 1226 (N.D. Fla. 2015).published(holding claim based on failure to disclose information to the EPA preempted)
- Del Real, LLC v. Harris, 966 F. Supp. 2d 1047 (E.D. Cal. 2013).publishedCf. Hawkins, 184 F.3d at 254 (acknowledging that its holding was at least arguably in conflict with Lowe v. Sporicidin International, 47 F.3d 124, 129 (4th Cir.1995), Worm v. American Cyanamid Co., 5 F.3d 744, 747 (4th Cir.1993), and Papas…
- Carruthers v. Am. Honda Fin. Corp., 717 F. Supp. 2d 1251 (N.D. Fla. 2010).published Id. at 519-20 (internal citations and punctuation omitted); accord Taylor AG Indus. v. Pure-Gro, 54 F.3d 555 , 563 (9th Cir.1995) (applying Papas to the implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose).
- Bambu v. EI Dupont De Nemours & Co., 881 So. 2d 565 (Fla. 3d DCA 2004).publishedThus, to the extent that any claims in the instant action "depend[ed] upon a *579 showing that a pesticide manufacturer's `labeling or packaging' failed to meet a standard `in addition to or different from' FIFRA requirements, section 136v…
- Ei Du Pont De Nemours v. Aquamar Sa, 881 So. 2d 1 (Fla. 4th DCA 2004).publishedIn Papas v. Upjohn Co., 985 F.2d 516, 518 (11th Cir.1993)(quoting Cipollone v. Liggett Group, Inc., 505 U.S. 504, 521 , 112 S.Ct. 2608 , 120 L.Ed.2d 407 (1992)), the court read FIFRA's preemption provision in section 136v(b) to "`suggest[…
- Mortellite v. Novartis Crop Prot., Inc., 278 F. Supp. 2d 390 (D.N.J. 2003).published “If a pesticide manufacturer places EPA-approved warnings on the label and packaging of its product, its duty to warn is satisfied, and the adequate warning issue ends”
- Johnson v. Monsanto Chem. Co., 129 F. Supp. 2d 189 (N.D.N.Y. 2001).publishedArkansas-Platte & Gulf v. Dow Chemical Co., 510 U.S. 813 , 114 S.Ct. 60 , 126 L.Ed.2d 30 (1993); Papas v. Upjohn Co., 985 F.2d 516, 518 (11th Cir.) cert. denied sub nom.
- Jarman v. United Indus. Corp., 98 F. Supp. 2d 757 (S.D. Miss. 2000).published Id. at 400 (emphasis added) (quoting Kuiper, 131 F.3d at 662 ); Lowe v. Sporicidin Int’l, 47 F.3d 124, 129-30 (4th Cir.1995); Taylor AG Indus. v. Pure-Gro, 54 F.3d 555 , 561 (9th Cir.1995); Papas v. Upjohn Co., 985 F.2d 516, 518 (11th Cir.…
Show 35 more citing cases
- Etcheverry v. Tri-Ag Serv., Inc., 993 P.2d 366 (Cal. 2000).published See Bice v. Leslie's Poolmart, Inc., 39 F.3d 887, 888 (8th Cir.1994); MacDonald v. Monsanto Co., 27 F.3d 1021, 1024-25 (5th Cir.1994); Worm v. American Cyanamid Co., 5 F.3d 744, 747 (4th Cir. 1993) . . . ; King, 996 F.2d at 1349 ; Shaw, 99…
- Dow Chem. Co. v. Ebling, 723 N.E.2d 881 (Ind. Ct. App. 2000).published Papas v. Upjohn Co., 985 F.2d 516, 518 (11th Cir.), cert. denied, 510 U.S. 913 , 114 S.Ct. 300 , 126 L.Ed.2d 248 (1993) (“Papas II”); Arkansas-Platte & Gulf Partnership v. Van Waters, Inc., 981 F.2d 1177, 1179 (10th Cir.), cert. denied, 51…
- Nathan Kimmel, Inc. v. DowElanco, 64 F. Supp. 2d 939 (C.D. Cal. 1999).publishedDupont De Nemours & Co., 996 F.2d 1346, 1349 (1st Cir.1993); Shaw v. Dow Brands, Inc., 994 F.2d 364, 371 (7th Cir.1993); Papas v. Upjohn Co., 985 F.2d 516, 518 (11th Cir.1993); Arkansas-Platte & Gulf Partnership v. Van Waters & Rogers, Inc…
- Dawn-Marie Hawkins James E. Hawkins v. Leslie's Pool Mart, Inc, 184 F.3d 244 (3d Cir. 1999).published We recognize that our holding might be viewed as conflicting with Lowe v. Sporicidin International, 47 F.3d 124, 129 (4th Cir.1995), Worm v. American Cyanamid Co., 5 F.3d 744, 747 (4th Cir.1993), and Papas v. Upjohn Co., 985 F.2d 516, 518…
- Hawkins v. Leslie Pool Mart Inc, No. 98-5229 (3d Cir. July 15, 1999). We agree that the General Requirements are just that--general. 3 The _________________________________________________________________ FIFRA preemption in light of Medtronic." Lewis, 715 A.2d at 973 (citing Kuiper v. American Cyanamid Co.,…
- Gooch v. E.I. Du Pont De Nemours & Co., 40 F. Supp. 2d 863 (W.D. Ky. 1999).publishedInc., 96 F.3d 559, 562-63 (1st Cir.1996); Taylor AG Industries v. Pure-Gro, 54 F.3d 555, 560 (9th Cir.1995); MacDonald v. Monsanto Co., 27 F.3d 1021, 1024-25 (5th Cir.1994); Worm v. American Cyanamid Co., 5 F.3d 744, 747 (4th Cir.1993); Pa…
- Lescs v. Dow Chem., No. 97-2278 (4th Cir. Jan. 14, 1999).unpublishedSee, e.g., Kuiper v. American Cyanamid Co., 131 F.3d 656, 662 (7th Cir. 1997), cert. denied, 118 S. Ct. 1839 (1998); Grenier v. Vermont Log Bldgs., Inc., 96 F.3d 559, 563 (1st Cir. 1996); Taylor AG Indus. v. Pure- Gro, 54 F.3d 555 , 561 (9…
- Ackerman v. Am. Cyanamid Co., 586 N.W.2d 208 (Iowa 1998).published Du Pont de Nemours & Co., 996 F.2d 1346, 1349 (1st Cir. 1993); Shaw v. Dow Brands, Inc., 994 F.2d 364, 371 (7th Cir. 1993); Papas v. Upjohn Co., 985 F.2d 516, 518-19 (11th Cir. 1993); Arkansas-Platte & Gulf Partnership v. Van Waters & Roge…
- Charles H. Kuiper, Sr. v. Am. Cyanamid Co., 131 F.3d 656 (7th Cir. 1997).published Dupont De Nemours & Co., 996 F.2d 1346, 1349 (1st Cir.) (failure to warn), cert. dismissed, 510 U.S. 985 , 114 S.Ct. 490 , 126 L.Ed.2d 440 (1993); Papas v. Upjohn Co., 985 F.2d 516, 518 (11th Cir.) (negligence, strict liability, and implie…
- Hughes v. Tennessee Seeds of Brownsville, Inc., 970 S.W.2d 471 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1997).published Papas v. Upjohn Co., 985 F.2d 516, 518 (11th Cir.), cert. denied, 510 U.S. 913 , 114 S.Ct. 300 , 126 L.Ed.2d 248 (1993).
- Romah v. Hygienic Sanitation Co., 705 A.2d 841 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1997).published DuPont De Nemours and Co., 996 F.2d 1346 (1st Cir.), cert. dismissed, 510 U.S. 985 , 114 S.Ct. 490 , 126 L.Ed.2d 440 (1993); Shaw v. Dow Brands, Inc., 994 F.2d 364, 371 (7th Cir.1993); Papas v. Upjohn Co., 985 F.2d 516, 518 (11th Cir.) (Pa…
- Lyall v. Leslie's Poolmart, 984 F. Supp. 587 (E.D. Mich. 1997).publishedDupont DeNemours & Co., 996 F.2d 1346, 1349 (1st Cir.) (FIFRA preempts failure to warn claims), cert. dismissed, 510 U.S. 985 , 114 S.Ct. 490 , 126 L.Ed.2d 440 (1993); Shaw v. Dow Brands, Inc., 994 F.2d 364, 371 (7th Cir.1993) (failure to…
- Reeves v. AcroMed Corp., No. 93-03752 (5th Cir. Feb. 8, 1995).published
- Worm v. Am. Cyanamid Co., 5 F.3d 744 (4th Cir. 1993).published
- Dorothy Marie Reeves v. Acromed Corp., 44 F.3d 300 (5th Cir. 1995).published
- Taylor AG Indus. v. Pure-Gro, 54 F.3d 555 (9th Cir. 1995).published
- Petix v. Kabi Pharmacia Ophthalmics, Inc., 884 F. Supp. 92 (W.D.N.Y. 1995).published
- Pitts v. Dow Chem. Co., 859 F. Supp. 543 (M.D. Ala. 1994).published
- In re DuPont-Benlate Litig., 859 F. Supp. 619 (D.P.R. 1994).published
- Sowers v. Johnson & Johnson Med., Inc., 867 F. Supp. 306 (E.D. Pa. 1994).published
- Helms v. Sporicidin Int'l, 871 F. Supp. 837 (E.D.N.C. 1994).published
- Seger v. Dow Chem. Co., 886 F. Supp. 770 (D. Colo. 1995).published
- Arkansas-Platte & Gulf P'ship v. Dow Chem. Co., 886 F. Supp. 762 (D. Colo. 1995).published
- Dickman v. E.I. Du Pont De Nemours & Co., 663 N.E.2d 507 (Ill. App. Ct. 3d Dist. 1996).published
- Malone v. Am. Cyanamid Co., 649 N.E.2d 493 (Ill. App. Ct. 4th Dist. 1995).published
- Burt v. Fumigation Serv. & Supply, Inc., 926 F. Supp. 624 (W.D. Mich. 1996).published
- Reiter v. Zimmer, Inc., 830 F. Supp. 199 (S.D.N.Y. 1993).published
- Quest Chem. Corp. v. Elam, 898 S.W.2d 819 (Tex. 1995).published
- Oliver v. Reckitt & Colman, Inc., 12 F. Supp. 2d 1287 (M.D. Fla. 1998).published
- Gougler v. Sirius Prods., Inc., 370 F. Supp. 2d 1185 (S.D. Ala. 2005).published
- Wadlington v. Miles, Inc., 922 S.W.2d 520 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1995).published
- Hochberg v. Zoecon Corp., 657 N.E.2d 1263 (Mass. 1995).published
- Jenkins v. James B. Day & Co., 634 N.E.2d 998 (Ohio 1994).published
- Hardin v. BASF Corp., 290 F. Supp. 2d 964 (E.D. Ark. 2003).published
- Wuebker v. Wilbur-Ellis Co., 338 F. Supp. 2d 974 (S.D. Iowa 2004).published
At page 519 FIFRA preemption of implied and express warranty claims42 citing cases“if a pesticide manufacturer places epa-approved warnings on the label and packaging of its product, its duty to warn is satisfied, and the adequate warning issue ends.”
- Goodwin v. Bacon, 896 P.2d 673 (Wash. 1995).published (holding FIFRA preempts implied warranty claims)
- Levesque v. Miles Inc., 816 F. Supp. 61 (D.N.H. 1993).published (Because claims challenging the adequacy of warnings on materials other than the label or package of a product necessarily imply that the labeling and packaging failed to warn the user, we conclude that these claims are…)
- Williams v. Dow Chem. Co., 255 F. Supp. 2d 219 (S.D.N.Y. 2003).published See Papas, 985 F.2d at 518 (“FIFRA denies states the authority to require that pesticide manufacturers conform to a state law standard of care in their labelling [sic] and packaging practices.”); see also 65 Fed.Reg. at *76, 238 (“The use…
- Higgins v. Monsanto Co., 862 F. Supp. 751 (N.D.N.Y. 1994).published (Express warrantors seek competitive advantage by promising buyers that certain factual representations about their goods are true.)
- Kenepp v. Am. Edwards Labs., 859 F. Supp. 809 (E.D. Pa. 1994).published Compare Papas I, 926 F.2d at 1026 (“We hold that FIFRA impliedly preempts state common law tort suits”), with, Papas II, 985 F.2d at 517 (“Having looked at Cipollone, we conclude that FIFRA expressly preempts the Papases’ claims.”).
- Slotnick v. Dymon, Inc., 2 Mass. L. Rptr. 154 (Mass. Super. Ct. 1994).published (it is for the EPA Administrator, not a jury, to determine whether labeling and packaging information is incomplete or inaccurate)
- Carson v. Monsanto Co., 508 F. Supp. 3d 1369 (S.D. Ga. 2020).publishedPapas v. Upjohn Co., 985 F.2d 516, 519 (11th Cir. 1993) (per curiam).
- Carruthers v. Am. Honda Fin. Corp., 717 F. Supp. 2d 1251 (N.D. Fla. 2010).published Id. at 519-20 (internal citations and punctuation omitted); accord Taylor AG Indus. v. Pure-Gro, 54 F.3d 555 , 563 (9th Cir.1995) (applying Papas to the implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose).
- Lowe's Home Centers, Inc. v. Olin Corp., 313 F.3d 1307 (11th Cir. 2002).published Id. at 519 (emphasis added).
- Dahlman Farms, Inc. v. FMC Corp., 240 F. Supp. 2d 1012 (D. Minn. 2002).published(breach of implied warranty of merchantability)
Show 32 more citing cases
- Eyl v. Ciba-Geigy Corp., 650 N.W.2d 744 (Neb. 2002).published“places EPA-approved warnings on the label and packaging of its products, its duty to warn is satisfied, and the adequate warning issue ends”
- In re StarLink Corn Prods. Liab. Litig., 212 F. Supp. 2d 828 (N.D. Ill. 2002).publishedTaylor AG Indus. v. Pure-Gro, 54 F.3d 555 , 561 (9th Cir. 1995); Papas v. Upjohn Co., 985 F.2d 516, 519 (11th Cir.1993).
- Dow Chem. Co. v. Ebling, 753 N.E.2d 633 (Ind. 2001).published“places EPA-approved warnings on the label and packaging of its products, its duty to warn is satisfied, and the adequate warning issue ends”
- Dow Chem. Co. v. Ebling, 723 N.E.2d 881 (Ind. Ct. App. 2000).published Papas v. Upjohn Co., 985 F.2d 516, 518 (11th Cir.), cert. denied, 510 U.S. 913 , 114 S.Ct. 300 , 126 L.Ed.2d 248 (1993) (“Papas II”); Arkansas-Platte & Gulf Partnership v. Van Waters, Inc., 981 F.2d 1177, 1179 (10th Cir.), cert. denied, 51…
- Hoelck v. ICI Americas, Inc., 584 N.W.2d 52 (Neb. Ct. App. 1998).published(holding “it is for the EPA Administrator, not a jury, to determine whether labelling and packaging information is incomplete or inaccurate)
- Kawamata Farms, Inc. v. United Agri Prods., 948 P.2d 1055 (Haw. 1997).published See, e.g., Welchert, 59 F.3d at 73 ; Papas v. Upjohn Co., 985 F.2d 516, 519 (11th Cir.), cert. denied, Papas v. Zoecon Corp., 510 U.S. 913 , 114 S.Ct. 300 , 126 L.Ed.2d 248 (1993).
- Charles H. Kuiper, Sr. v. Am. Cyanamid Co., 131 F.3d 656 (7th Cir. 1997).published Dupont De Nemours & Co., 996 F.2d 1346, 1349 (1st Cir.) (failure to warn), cert. dismissed, 510 U.S. 985 , 114 S.Ct. 490 , 126 L.Ed.2d 440 (1993); Papas v. Upjohn Co., 985 F.2d 516, 518 (11th Cir.) (negligence, strict liability, and implie…
- Hughes v. Tennessee Seeds of Brownsville, Inc., 970 S.W.2d 471 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1997).published Papas v. Upjohn Co., 985 F.2d 516, 518 (11th Cir.), cert. denied, 510 U.S. 913 , 114 S.Ct. 300 , 126 L.Ed.2d 248 (1993).
- Romah v. Hygienic Sanitation Co., 705 A.2d 841 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1997).published DuPont De Nemours and Co., 996 F.2d 1346 (1st Cir.), cert. dismissed, 510 U.S. 985 , 114 S.Ct. 490 , 126 L.Ed.2d 440 (1993); Shaw v. Dow Brands, Inc., 994 F.2d 364, 371 (7th Cir.1993); Papas v. Upjohn Co., 985 F.2d 516, 518 (11th Cir.) (Pa…
- Lescs v. Dow Chem. Co., 976 F. Supp. 393 (W.D. Va. 1997).published(If a pesticide manufacturer places EPA-approved warnings on the label and packaging of its product, its duty to warn is satisfied and the adequate warning issue ends.)
- Barnes v. Sandoz Crop Prot. Corp., 938 P.2d 95 (Ariz. Ct. App. 1997).publishedTaylor AG Industries v. Pure-Gro, 54 F.3d 555 (9th Cir.), quoting Papas v. Upjohn Co., 985 F.2d 516, 519 (11th Cir.) (“Papas II”), cert, denied, 510 U.S. 913 , 114 S.Ct. 300 , 126 L.Ed.2d 248 (1993).
- Didier v. Drexel Chem. Co., 938 P.2d 364 (Wash. Ct. App. 1997).published(FIFRA preempts claim based on implied warranty of merchantability)
- Cuevas v. EI DuPont De Nemours & Co., 956 F. Supp. 1306 (S.D. Miss. 1997).publishedIt is clear in Taylor AG Indus, v. Pure-Gro, 54 F.3d 555 , 561 (9th Cir.1995), quoting Papas v. Upjohn Co., 985 F.2d 516, 519 (11th Cir.), cert. denied sub nom Papas v. Zoecon Corp., 510 U.S. 913 , 114 S.Ct. 300 , 126 L.Ed.2d 248 (1993), t…
- Diehl v. Polo Coop. Ass'n, 766 N.E.2d 317 (Ill. App. Ct. 2d Dist. 2002).published
- Taylor AG Indus. v. Pure-Gro, 54 F.3d 555 (9th Cir. 1995).published
- Sowers v. Johnson & Johnson Med., Inc., 867 F. Supp. 306 (E.D. Pa. 1994).published
- Malone v. Am. Cyanamid Co., 649 N.E.2d 493 (Ill. App. Ct. 4th Dist. 1995).published
- Wadlington v. Miles, Inc., 922 S.W.2d 520 (Tenn. Ct. App. 1995).published
- Spain v. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp., 363 F.3d 1183 (11th Cir. 2000).published
- Paul L. Spain v. Brown & Williamson, 363 F.3d 1183 (11th Cir. 2004).published
- Gina Lowe v. Sporicidin Int'l, 47 F.3d 124 (4th Cir. 1995).published
- Nathan Kimmel, Inc. v. Dowelanco, 275 F.3d 1199 (9th Cir. 2002).published
- All-Pure Chem. Co. v. White, 896 P.2d 697 (Wash. 1995).published
- Reutzel v. Spartan Chem. Co., 903 F. Supp. 1272 (N.D. Iowa 1995).published
- Clubine v. Am. Cyanamid Co., 534 N.W.2d 385 (Iowa 1995).published
- Prather v. Ciba-Geigy Corp., 852 F. Supp. 530 (W.D. La. 1994).published
- ISK Biotech Corp. v. Douberly, 640 So. 2d 85 (Fla. 1st DCA 1994).published
- Deshotel v. Rhone-Poulenc, Inc., 969 F. Supp. 397 (W.D. La. 1997).published
- Kemp v. Pfizer, Inc., 835 F. Supp. 1015 (E.D. Mich. 1993).published
- S Pharmacy, Inc. v. Johnson & Johnson Consum. Inc., No. 24-3296 (2d Cir. July 30, 2026).published
- Hopkins v. Am. Cyanamid Co., 666 So. 2d 615 (La. 1996).published
- In re Dicamba Herbicides Litig., 359 F. Supp. 3d 711 (E.D. Mo. 2019).published
At page 517 FIFRA preemption of state law claims regarding labeling16 citing casesHaving looked at Cipollone, we conclude that FIFRA expressly preempts the Papases’ claims.
- Kenepp v. Am. Edwards Labs., 859 F. Supp. 809 (E.D. Pa. 1994).published (Having looked at Cipollone, we conclude that FIFRA expressly preempts the Papases’ claims.)
- Slotnick v. Dymon, Inc., 2 Mass. L. Rptr. 154 (Mass. Super. Ct. 1994).published Cipollone v. Liggett Group, Inc., supra, 112 S.Ct. at 2623 ; Papas v. Upjohn Co., supra, 985 F. 2d at 519 (“it is for the EPA Administrator, not a jury, to determine whether labeling and packaging information is incomplete or inaccurate”).
- Grills v. Philip Morris USA, Inc., 645 F. Supp. 2d 1107 (M.D. Fla. 2009).publishedAlthough not a case under the PHCSA or FCLAA, the Circuit followed its Spain adoption of the Cipollone plurality preemption analysis in Papas v. Upjohn Co., 985 F.2d 516, 517-19 (11th Cir.1993) (per curiam) (holding that the Federal Statut…
- Wayne Charles Oken v. Monsanto Co., 371 F.3d 1312 (11th Cir. 2004).publishedIn Papas v. Upjohn Co., 985 F.2d 516, 517, 520 (11th Cir.1993) (Papas II), a damages action for personal injuries sustained “due to exposure to pesticides manufactured by [codefendant] Zoecon,” we held that “FIFRA expressly pre-empts state…
- Lucia v. Teledyne Cont'l Motors, 173 F. Supp. 2d 1253 (S.D. Ala. 2001).publishedCipollone v. Liggett Group, Inc., 505 U.S. 504 , 112 S.Ct. 2608, 2621 , 120 L.Ed.2d 407 (1992); Papas v. Upjohn Co., 985 F.2d 516, 517-18 (11th Cir.1993).
- Wolpin v. Philip Morris, Inc., 974 F. Supp. 1465 (S.D. Fla. 1997).publishedAs Defendants point out in then-brief, FIFRA “contains a preemption provision that mirrors that of the Labeling Act.” (Defendants’ Memorandum p. 7 n. 6); Papas v. Upjohn Co., 985 F.2d 516, 517 (11th Cir. 1993); Shaw v. Dow Brands, Inc., 99…
- Hawkins v. Leslie's Poolmart, 965 F. Supp. 566 (D.N.J. 1997).published If common law actions cannot survive under the 1969 cigarette law, then common law actions for labeling and packaging defects cannot survive under FIFRA.”); Papas v. Upjohn Co., 985 F.2d 516, 517 (11th Cir.) (“Having looked at Cipollone ,…
- Pub. Health Trust of Dade Cnty. v. Lake Aircraft, Inc., 992 F.2d 291 (11th Cir. 1993).published
- Allen v. Pennco Eng'g Co., 847 F. Supp. 1315 (M.D. La. 1994).published
- Kuiper v. Am. Cyanamid Co., 913 F. Supp. 1236 (E.D. Wis. 1996).published
Show 4 more citing cases
- Blanchard v. Collagen Corp., 909 F. Supp. 427 (E.D. La. 1995).published
- Moore v. Brunswick Bowling & Billiards Corp., 889 S.W.2d 246 (Tex. 1994).published
- DerGazarian v. Dow Chem. Co., 836 F. Supp. 1429 (W.D. Ark. 1993).published
- Diehl v. Polo Coop. Ass'n, 766 N.E.2d 317 (Ill. App. Ct. 2d Dist. 2002).published
At page 520 Preemption of state tort claims by FIFRA15 citing casesconcluding that FIFRA preempts state common law actions to the extent predicated on inadequate labeling or packaging
- Goodwin v. Bacon, 896 P.2d 673 (Wash. 1995).published See, e.g., Worm II, 5 F.3d at 747-49 (permitting claims for negligent testing and research based on defective product and express warranty claims not based on EPA-mandated statements); but see Papas II, 985 F.2d at 519-20 (holding FIFRA pr…
- PR Overseas Boating, LTD v. Quick Spa, No. 22-11730 (11th Cir. Aug. 18, 2023).unpublished“[L]iability for breach of an implied warranty is based on the agreement, imposed by law, to be responsible in the event the thing sold is not in fact fit for the use and purposes intended”
- Oken v. Monsanto Co., 218 F. Supp. 2d 1361 (S.D. Fla. 2002).publishedState tort claims that do not involve labeling or packaging are not preempted. 985 F.2d at 520.
- Hughes v. S. States Coop. Inc., 180 F. Supp. 2d 1295 (M.D. Ala. 2001).published Interpreting the term “requirements” to include common law suits for damages, the Eleventh Circuit has held that FIFRA preempts claims against manufacturers “to the extent that such actions are predicated on claims of inadequate labeling o…
- Andrus v. Agrevo USA Co., 178 F.3d 395 (5th Cir. 1999).publishedThe court ultimately affirmed the district court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of the herbicide manufacturer, noting that “[t]o the extent that the Worms’ claims challenge, by whatever state cause of action, the adequacy of informat…
- Nat'l Bank of Com. v. Dow Chem. Co., 165 F.3d 602 (8th Cir. 1999).published (concluding that FIFRA preempts state common law actions to the extent predicated on inadequate labeling or packaging)
- M & H Enter. v. Tri-State Delta Chemicals, Inc., 984 S.W.2d 175 (Mo. Ct. App. 1998).publishedPapas v. Upjohn Co., 985 F.2d 516, 520 (11th Cir.1993) (Papas II); Arkansas-Platte v. Van Waters & Rogers, 981 F.2d 1177 , 1179 (10th Cir.1993) (Arkansas-Platte II).
- In re DuPont-Benlate Litig., 859 F. Supp. 619 (D.P.R. 1994).published
- Malone v. Am. Cyanamid Co., 649 N.E.2d 493 (Ill. App. Ct. 4th Dist. 1995).published
- Gougler v. Sirius Prods., Inc., 370 F. Supp. 2d 1185 (S.D. Ala. 2005).published
Show 4 more citing cases
- King v. E.I. Dupont, No. 20-1119 (1st Cir. July 7, 1993).published
- Ernest L. King, Sr. v. E.I. Dupont De Nemours & Co., 996 F.2d 1346 (1st Cir. 1993).published
- Miller v. EI Du Pont De Nemours & Co., 880 F. Supp. 474 (S.D. Miss. 1994).published
- MacRie v. SDS Biotech Corp., 630 A.2d 805 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 1993).published
v.
The UPJOHN COMPANY, a Delaware corporation qualified to do business in the State of Florida, Zoecon Corporation, a Delaware corporation currently doing business in the State of Florida
ON REMAND FROM THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
Before ANDERSON and EDMONDSON, Circuit Judges, and MORGAN, Senior Circuit Judge. PER CURIAM:The facts of this case are set out in Papas v. Upjohn Co., 926 F.2d 1019 (11th Cir.1991) (“Papas I”). We must decide whether, in the light of Cipollone v. Liggett Group, Inc., 505 U.S. -, 112 S.Ct. 2608, 120 L.Ed.2d 407 (1992), appellants’ state law claims against defendant Zoecon Corporation are preempted by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, 7 U.S.C.A. §§ 136-136y (“FIFRA”).
Appellants Minas and Ollie Papas brought a diversity action a'gainst Zoecon Corporation seeking compensation for injuries Mr. Papas allegedly sustained due to exposure to pesticides manufactured by Zoecon. The Papases’ complaint asserted liability based on negligence, strict liability, and breach of an implied warranty of merchantability. Each of these claims was, in whole or in part, a claim of inadequate labeling for alleged dangers arising from exposure to the pesticides. Papas I, 926 F.2d at 1020.
In Papas I, we reviewed the district court’s partial grant of summary judgment in favor of defendants on the labeling claims. We affirmed, holding that‘“FIFRA impliedly preempts state common law tort suits against manufacturers of EPA-registered pesticides to the extent that such actions are based on claims of inadequate labeling.” Papas I, 926 F.2d at 1026. We confined our analysis in Papas I to the doctrine of implied preemption. Id. at 1024. Later, the Supreme Court vacated the judgment in Papas I and remanded this case to us for further consideration in the light of Cipollone v. Liggett Group, Inc., 505 U.S. -, 112 S.Ct. 2608, 120 L.Ed.2d 407 (1992). Papas v. Zoecon Corp., — U.S. -, 112 S.Ct. 3020, 120 L.Ed.2d 892 (1992). Having looked at Cipollone, we conclude that FIFRA expressly preempts the Papases’ claims to the extent they are based on inadequate labeling or packaging.
I.
In Cipollone, the Supreme Court analyzed, for the claims in that case, the preemptive effect of the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act, enacted in 1965 (“the 1965 Act”), and its successor, the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act of 1969 (“the 1969 Act”). The Court found no cause to look beyond the express preemption provisions contained in section 5 of the 1965 and 1969 Acts.
When Congress has considered the issue of pre-emption and has included in the enacted legislation a provision explicitly addressing that issue, and when that provision provides a ‘reliable indicium of congressional intent with respect to state authority,’ [citations omitted] ‘there is no need to infer congressional intent to preempt state laws from the substantive provisions’ of the legislation_ Congress’ enactment of a provision defining the pre-emptive reach of a statute implies that matters beyond that reach are not pre-empted.
505 U.S. at -, 112 S.Ct. at 2618. The Court then analyzed the pre-emption provisions of the 1965 and 1969 Acts to decide if the provisions expressly preempted the plaintiff’s various claims. Id.
In the light of Cipollone, we will determine FIFRA’s preemptive effect on the Papases’ claims under the express pre-emption doctrine. Like the statutes at issue in Cipollone, FIFRA contains a provision explicitly addressing, and providing a reliable indicium of, state authority.[1] Congress[*518] specified the extent to which the states may regulate pesticides in FIFRA’s section 136v:
§ 136v. Authority of States
(a) In General
A State may regulate the sale or use of any federally registered pesticide or device in the State, but only if and to the extent the regulation does not permit any sale or use prohibited by this subchapter.
(b) Uniformity
Such State shall not impose or continue in effect any requirements for labeling or packaging in addition to or different from those required under this sub-chapter.
(c) Additional Uses
(1)A State may provide registration for additional uses of federally registered pesticides formulated for distribution and use within that State to meet special local needs in accord with the purposes of this subchapter and if registration for such use has not previously been denied, disapproved, or canceled by the Administrator....
7 U.S.C.A. § 136v (West 1980 & Supp. 1992). To determine FIFRA’s pre-emption of the Papases’ claims we will “only identify the domain expressly pre-empted” by FIFRA section 136v. See Cipollone, 505 U.S. at -, 112 S.Ct. at 2618.
II.
Section 136v(b) pre-empts those of the Papases’ state law claims which constitute “requirements for labeling or packaging in addition to or different from” the labeling and packaging requirements imposed under FIFRA. Cipollone convinces us that the term “requirements” in section 136v(b) “sweeps broadly and suggests no distinction between positive enactments and the common law.” Cipollone, at -, 112 S.Ct. at 2620. Common law damages awards are one form of state regulation and, as such, are “requirements” within the meaning of section 136v. See Id.; Taylor v. General Motors Corp., 875 F.2d 816, 824 n. 16 (11th Cir.1989), citing San Diego Building Trades Council v. Garmon, 359 U.S. 236, 79 S.Ct. 773, 3 L.Ed.2d 775 (1959). To the extent that state law actions for damages depend upon a showing that a pesticide manufacturer’s “labeling or packaging” failed to meet a standard “in addition to or different from” FIFRA requirements, section 136v pre-empts the claims.
The Papases’ concede that each of their negligence, strict liability, and breach of implied warranty counts alleges in part that Zoecon failed to warn users that its product contained certain harmful chemicals and failed to inform users to take appropriate precautionary measures. Those allegations, like the failure to warn claims in Cipollone, require the finder of fact to determine whether, under state law, Zoecon adequately labelled and packaged its product. This inquiry is precisely what section 136v forbids. FIFRA denies states the authority to require that pesticide manufacturers conform to a state law standard of care in their labelling and packaging practices. Thus, to the extent that the Papases’ claims require a showing that Zoecon’s labelling or packaging “should have included additional, or more clearly stated, warnings, those claims are preempted.” See Cipollone, 505 U.S. at -, 112 S.Ct. at 2621-22. Thus the Cipollone opinion dictates, under an express pre-emption analysis, the same result we reached earlier under the implied preemption doctrine. Cf. Papas I, supra, 926 F.2d at 1026.
III.
The Papases say that they seek to prove Zoecon failed to disclose to the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), the agency which administers FIFRA, that Zoe-con’s product contained benzene. The Papases contend that this alleged omission subjects Zoecon to an agency enforcement action for “misbranding,” [2] and they urge[*519] that common law damages awarded on this omission theory would not constitute a “requirement ... in addition to or different from” FIFRA requirements. We reject this argument. As we noted in Papas I, it is for the EPA Administrator, not a jury, to determine whether labelling and packaging information is incomplete or inaccurate, and if so what label changes, if any, should be made. See Papas I, supra, 926 F.2d at 1026 n. 8. States may not interfere with the methods designed by Congress to achieve FIFRA’s goals. See Gade v. National Solid Wastes Management Association, — U.S. -, -, 112 S.Ct. 2374, 2385, 120 L.Ed.2d 73 (1992). We think FIFRA leaves states with no authority to police manufacturers’ compliance with the federal procedures.
IV.
Appellants urge us to hold that their warning claims “unrelated to labeling and packaging” are not pre-empted by section 136v. They contend that because the language of 136v refers only to “labeling or packaging,” the section does not preempt failure to warn claims based on point-of-sale signs, consumer notices, or other informational materials that are “unrelated” to labeling and packaging. But any claims that point-of-sale signs, consumer notices, or other informational materials failed adequately to warn the plaintiff necessarily challenge the adequacy of the warnings provided on the product’s labeling or packaging. If a pesticide manufacturer places EPA-approved warnings on the label and packaging of its product, its duty to warn is satisfied, and the adequate warning issue ends. Plaintiffs may not interfere with the FIFRA scheme by bringing a common law action alleging the inadequacy of, for example, point-of-sale signs. Because claims challenging the adequacy of warnings on materials other than the label or package of a product necessarily imply that the labeling and packaging failed to warn the user, we conclude that these claims are also pre-empted by FI-FRA.
V.
The Supreme Court ruled that the Cipollone plaintiff’s express warranty claims were not pre-empted by the 1969 Act. The Papases argue that this aspect of Cipollone mandates a finding of no preemption on their breach of implied warranty claim. We disagree.
In Cipollone, four Justices concluded that “the ‘requirements’ imposed by an express warranty claim are'not ‘imposed under State law,’ but rather imposed by the warrantor.” Cipollone, supra, 505 U.S. at -, 112 S.Ct. at 2622. On the basis of that reasoning, the plurality concluded that Cipollone’s breach of express warranty claim was not pre-empted by the 1969 Act. Id. at - 112 S.Ct. at 2622-23. But an implied warranty is a requirement imposed under state law and is pre-empted by FIFRA.
Express warranties are promises that are made in some, but not all, sales contracts. Express warrantors seek competitive advantage by promising buyers that certain factual representations about their goods are true. Liability for breach of an express warranty has a voluntary quality; it “derives from, and is measured by, the terms of that warranty.” Cipollone, at -, 112 S.Ct. at 2622.
In contrast, implied warranties of merchantability arise by operation of law. See Wagner v. Mars, Inc., 166 So.2d 673 (Fla.App.1964); Atlantic Distributors, Inc. v. Alson Mfg. Co., 141 So.2d 305 (Fla.App.1962). Florida has codified the implied warranty of merchantability, which, unless waived or modified, is always implied in a sale of goods by a merchant and includes the statutory requirement that goods “are adequately contained, packaged, and labeled as the agreement may require.” Fla. Stat.Ann. § 672.314 (1992). Although lia[*520]bility for breach of an express warranty may be viewed as “imposed by the warrantor,” Cipollone, 505 U.S. at -, 112 S.Ct. at 2622, liability for breach of an implied warranty is based on “the agreement, imposed by law, to be responsible in the event the thing sold is not in fact fit for the use and purposes intended.” Arcade Steam Laundry v. Bass, 159 So.2d 915 (Fla.App.1964) (emphasis added). In essence, when plaintiffs argue that an implied warranty obligates the seller, plaintiffs acknowledge that the seller did not volunteer for the liability.
FIFRA pre-empts claims based on requirements imposed by states. 7 U.S.C. § 136v(b). If Zoecon were to have liability for breach of an implied warranty of merchantability, that liability would not be self-inflicted. Instead, that liability would be based on a requirement imposed by state law. Therefore, to the extent the implied warranty claim depends upon inadequacies in labelling or packaging, FIFRA section 136v pre-empts the claim.
VI.
We conclude that FIFRA expressly preempts state common law actions against manufacturers of EPA-registered pesticides to the extent that such actions are predicated on claims of inadequate labeling or packaging. To the extent that appellants' negligence, strict liability, and breach of implied warranty claims require a showing that Zoecon’s labeling and packaging caused the alleged injury, those claims are preempted by FIFRA. Claims that do not challenge Zoecon’s labeling and packaging practices are not pre-empted.
AFFIRMED.
See Papas v. Upjohn Co., 926 F.2d 1019, 1022-24 (11th Cir.1991), for our analysis of FIFRA’s legislative history and regulatory scheme.
. Under FIFRA, a pesticide is misbranded if the label does not contain warnings and directions for use which, if complied with, are "adequate to protect health and the environment." 7 U.S.C.A. § 136(q)(l)(F), (G). A manufacturer is subject to penalties under FIFRA if its pesticide[*519] is misbranded. 7 U.S.C. § 136j(a)(l)(E). Because appellants “misbranding” theory is inseparable from FIFRA procedural requirements, we find no merit in appellants’ contention that this theory of recovery is based on a generalized "duty not to deceive.” Cf. Cipollone, 505 U.S. at -, 112 S.Ct. at 2624.