Mr. Tinsworth specializes in new product approval and product support with an emphasis on pesticide products including conventional chemicals, and microbial, biochemical, and biotechnology products. He advises clients in the appropriate use of scientific data and risk assessment information to achieve regulatory objectives. In addition, he assists clients in the development of effective risk communication strategies to respond to diverse audiences including consumers, legislators, regulators, and environmental and consumer advocacy groups. Mr. Tinsworth uses his communication skills and negotiating expertise to help clients accomplish regulatory goals, and to respond to short-term crisis situations. He also works with clients to incorporate strategic regulatory considerations into corporate product and business development processes. Mr. Tinsworth conducts vulnerability assessments to evaluate client regulatory systems, and makes recommendations designed to not only strengthen such systems, but also to ensure that regulatory policies and procedures facilitate rather than hinder product development and marketing.
Mr. Tinsworth has 40 years of consulting and government experience in managing a broad array of regulatory, scientific, and risk communication issues associated with foods, chemicals, pesticides, consumer products, and biotechnology products. Mr. Tinsworth spent 22 years working in the federal government. At the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), he was Director of the Special Review and Reregistration Division in the Office of Pesticide Programs. He also served as Director of the Registration Division in the same office, and was Deputy Director of the Agency's Office of Toxic Substances. Prior to joining EPA, Mr. Tinsworth worked for the US Consumer Product Safety Commission and the US Food and Drug Administration.
Managed the overall strategy needed to obtain EPA registration of conventional chemical, biochemical, and microbial pesticides. Developed and implemented approaches for resolving technical issues including risk assessment and data development problems, and for responding to regulatory and risk mitigation problems. In addition, developed and implemented plans to marshal and utilize grower and other outside support for product registrations, and developed risk communications messages designed to put risk issues in proper perspective.
Supported data development and registration strategies for several pesticide biotechnology products. In addition, coordinated the development of public interest documents to support registration approvals for these products. Served as key member of a multi-company team that achieved the renewed registration of Bt corn products. Work required particular sensitivity to risk communication issues and environmental group concerns.
Developed or participated in the development of dozens of reduced risk and organophosphate replacement submissions to EPA. Outstanding success in achieving expedited EPA review of client registration applications.
Worked with several clients to develop methyl bromide alternatives. Work included feasibility analyses, data development and risk assessment activities, and development and implementation of stakeholder plans and registration strategies.
Participated in numerous product support and reregistration initiatives. Included working as key member of team that developed support strategy for the threatened cancellation of a client’s key organophosphate chemical. Worked with clients to develop and implement critical data development, risk assessment, risk mitigation, risk communication, and outside support strategies needed to ensure the successful reregistration of pesticide products. Risks of concern included dietary, worker, consumer, ecological effects, and environmental.
Worked with grower groups and pesticide registrants to obtain emergency exemption approval from EPA authorizing the use of pesticides needed to address critical grower needs. Work included critical use of a fungicide for snap bean growers in the Pacific Northwest, and use of an organophosphate to address a crisis pest problem in beehives.
Served as registration and data compensation expert for litigation matters involving pesticide products. Worked with outside counsel to develop litigation positions.
Performed vulnerability analysis for large consumer product manufacturer. Work focused on evaluating regulatory, quality control, and business systems to determine strengths and weaknesses from a compliance problem perspective. Developed recommendations to improve operational controls and business efficiencies. Developed standard operating procedures and conducted employee training to implement recommendations.
Conducted due diligence and benchmark reviews for clients to assist in merger and acquisition considerations and operational analysis projects.