CPDA
CPDA is a nonprofit trade association founded in 1987 that advocates for agricultural adjuvant and inert ingredient suppliers, operating two certification programs and representing nearly 90% of the U.S. crop protection market through its 80+ member companies.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersArlington, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What CPDA does
CPDA (The Council of Producers & Distributors of Agrotechnology) is a nonprofit trade association founded in 1987 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, representing formulators, distributors, and manufacturers of agricultural adjuvants, inert ingredients, and post-patent crop protection products. The organization advocates on behalf of its members before federal agencies including the EPA, OSHA, and state regulators, and operates a Washington DC presence for legislative and regulatory engagement.
The association's core products are two proprietary certification programs. The Adjuvant Certification Program, launched in 2001, validates adjuvant products against 16 benchmarks based on ASTM International standards E-609 and E-1519, with 180+ certified products currently listed. The Application Enhancement Certification Program (AECP), launched circa 2022, tests adjuvant performance across various nozzle types and pesticide formulations at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Pesticide Application Technology Laboratory. Supporting offerings include the ESA Toolbox compliance resource platform, Capitol Connection video series, CPDA/ARA collaborative webinars, the annual Adjuvants, Inerts & Crop Protection Conference (300+ attendees), the bi-weekly News & Notes newsletter, CPDA-PAC political advocacy, and member committee programs covering EPA Working Group, ESA Mitigation, Biopesticide Working Group, and Agritech AI.
CPDA generates revenue through annual membership dues across seven tiers (Adjuvants/Inerts, Affiliate, Associate, Crop Protection Manufacturer, Distributor, Post Patent/Non-Proprietary, Biologicals), certification fees (initial certification $1,500 for members and $2,000 for non-members; renewals $750-$1,000 per 3-year cycle), and conference/event sponsorships and registration fees. Member companies account for nearly 90% of the $15 billion U.S. crop protection market and supply 80% of U.S. inert ingredients used in agricultural production.
CPDA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CPDA
- Legal name
- The Council of Producers & Distributors of Agrotechnology
- Website
- https://cpda.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- CPDA is a nonprofit trade association founded in 1987 that advocates for agricultural adjuvant and inert ingredient suppliers, operating two certification programs and representing nearly 90% of the U.S. crop protection market through its 80+ member companies.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CPDA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Agricultural Trade Association Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Product & Consumer Compliance (Labeling, Claims, Safety) (EDABADAH)
Keywords
Where CPDA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Arlington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
CPDA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from various categories including Adjuvants/Inerts, Affiliate, Associate, Crop Protection Manufacturer, Distributor, Post Patent/Non-Proprietary, and Biologicals members.
- Adjuvant Certification Fees: Fees for product certification under the Adjuvant Certification Program and Application Enhancement Certification Program. Initial certification, sub-certification, and renewal fees for members and non-members.
- Conference & Event Revenue: Annual Adjuvants, Inerts & Crop Protection Conference, Annual Meeting, DC Fly-In events, and webinars generate registration and sponsorship revenue.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Application Enhancement Certification - CPDA Members |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Application Enhancement Certification - Non-Members |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
CPDA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CPDA is a nonprofit trade association representing the agricultural adjuvant and inert ingredient industry. It delivers two proprietary certification programs (Adjuvant Certification and Application Enhancement Certification), regulatory advocacy before agencies such as the U.S. EPA, and educational services (annual conference, newsletters, committee work) for the companies that manufacture, distribute, retail, and use crop protection adjuvants and inert ingredients.
Product overview
CPDA (Council of Producers & Distributors of Agrotechnology) is a trade association serving the agricultural adjuvant and crop protection industry. Rather than a single software product, CPDA offers a portfolio of certification programs, educational resources, and advocacy services. The core offerings include the CPDA Adjuvant Certification Program (validating 180+ products against ASTM standards) and the Application Enhancement Certification Program (AECP) testing adjuvants with various nozzle/pesticide combinations at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Supporting services include the ESA Toolbox (compliance resources), Capitol Connection video series, a collaborative CPDA/ARA Webinar Series for agronomist training, the annual Adjuvants, Inerts & Crop Protection Conference, bi-weekly News & Notes newsletter, a searchable Certified Adjuvant Products database, CPDA-PAC political advocacy, and multiple member committee programs. Together these programs ensure product integrity, provide industry education, and advocate for science-based regulation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CPDA Adjuvant Certification Program: A voluntary certification program establishing standards for tank-mix adjuvants to ensure product integrity, performance claims, and EPA regulatory compliance.
- Application Enhancement Certification Program (AECP)
Products and services
- Adjuvant Certification Program An industry certification program that evaluates and certifies the performance of agricultural adjuvants against CPDA's published standards. It is targeted at adjuvant manufacturers and formulators whose products are used in U.S. crop protection applications, providing a recognized third-party validation mark.
Quantifiable outcome
- CPDA members account for nearly 90% of the $15 billion U.S. crop protection market
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use CPDA
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
CPDA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
CPDA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA)coreCPDA collaborates with ARA on joint webinar series including the 'Adjuvant Advantage for the Sales Agronomist' series (Season 5). The partnership develops uniform industry adjuvant education programs for ag retail to help growers understand proper adjuvant selection and use.
- CropLife AmericacoreCPDA collaborated with CropLife America and Agricultural Retailers Association to produce the 'Adapting to ESA' video series helping farmers and applicators navigate evolving Endangered Species Act requirements.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)coreCPDA works closely with EPA to identify practical, science-based solutions that protect species while keeping farmers productive. CPDA played a leading role in advancing Drift Reduction Adjuvants as an approved mitigation tool within EPA's ESA framework.
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln Pesticide Application Technology LaboratorycoreCPDA partners with UNL PAT Laboratory for Application Enhancement Certification Program testing. Adjuvant products are tested with various nozzle types and pesticide formulations to optimize spray droplet spectra.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceminorCPDA collaborates with USFWS as part of EPA's required consultation process under the Endangered Species Act to evaluate potential effects on listed species and habitats.
- National Marine Fisheries ServiceminorCPDA engages with NMFS as part of EPA's required ESA consultation process for pesticide regulation.
- ASTM InternationalcoreCPDA's Adjuvant Certification Program standards are based on 16 benchmarks adopted by ASTM International. CPDA and ASTM have had a close link for almost 30 years with ASTM Standards (E-609 and E-1519) instrumental in establishing CPDA Adjuvant Standards.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
CPDA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA): Nonprofit association representing state agriculture departments. Operates in the same federal-state regulatory advocacy ecosystem, with overlap on pesticide regulation, ESA implementation, and ag input policy.
- CropLife International: Global federation of crop protection and agricultural biotechnology associations. Comparable as the global umbrella counterpart to CropLife America, with overlapping advocacy themes that intersect with CPDA's adjuvants and inert ingredients agenda.
- American Farm Bureau Federation: Largest U.S. general farmer trade association. Adjacent as a broader ag-industry counterpart with overlapping policy work on Farm Bill, ESA, and pesticide access, but representing grower end-users rather than ag input suppliers.
- American Seed Trade Association (ASTA): U.S. trade association representing the seed industry. Operates in the same agricultural input regulatory ecosystem with overlapping EPA, ESA, and Farm Bill advocacy, and similar member-driven governance and certification activities.
- National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS): U.S. trade association for the crop insurance industry. Comparable as a fellow agriculture-focused trade association with similar member-funded model, regulatory advocacy, and educational programming.
Direct peers
- Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA): U.S. trade association for agricultural retailers and distributors. Directly comparable as a fellow ag-input trade association; CPDA collaborates with ARA on joint webinars and the 'Adapting to ESA' video series, sharing adjuvants-related educational content with retailers.
- CropLife America: The leading U.S. trade association for the crop protection industry. Directly comparable as a sister association covering crop protection manufacturers, with overlapping advocacy on EPA, ESA, and pesticide regulation, and an existing collaborative partnership with CPDA.
- Biological Products Industry Alliance (BPIA): Trade association representing biological product manufacturers and distributors in agriculture. Comparable as a peer trade association focused on a distinct but adjacent agricultural input category, with shared regulatory and sustainability advocacy mandates.
Regional players
- Southern Crop Production Association (SCPA): Regional U.S. trade association for crop protection manufacturers and distributors in the Southern states. Comparable as a sister regional crop protection association with similar advocacy, member engagement, and certification-style programming.
- Mid America CropLife Association (MACA): Regional U.S. trade association for the crop protection industry covering the Midwestern states. Comparable as a regional crop protection trade association with overlapping state-level regulatory advocacy and education programs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
CPDA social profiles
Digital presenceCPDA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CPDA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles25 records
CPDA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CPDA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CPDA
What does CPDA do?
CPDA is a nonprofit trade association representing the agricultural adjuvant and inert ingredient industry. It delivers two proprietary certification programs (Adjuvant Certification and Application Enhancement Certification), regulatory advocacy before agencies such as the U.S. EPA, and educational services (annual conference, newsletters, committee work) for the companies that manufacture, distribute, retail, and use crop protection adjuvants and inert ingredients.
Is CPDA a public or private company?
CPDA is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was CPDA founded?
CPDA was founded in 1987. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is CPDA based?
CPDA is headquartered in Arlington, United States, in the North America region.
How does CPDA make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are adjuvant Certification Fees and conference & Event Revenue.
Who are CPDA's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), CropLife International, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) and National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS). Direct peers are Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA), CropLife America and Biological Products Industry Alliance (BPIA). Regional players are Southern Crop Production Association (SCPA) and Mid America CropLife Association (MACA).
Does CPDA have an API?
No public API is recorded for CPDA.
What industry is CPDA in?
CPDA's product category is Agricultural Trade Association Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDABADAH, Product & Consumer Compliance (Labeling, Claims, Safety).