AMERICAN VANGUARD CORP

Previous wording

Public statements made by USEPA regarding their preliminary findings in connection with the registration review of the Company’s products could adversely affect product sales and/or commercial viability. Registrations for the Company’s products are subject to registration review by the USEPA from time to time. In the course of the review, the Company submits, and the USEPA reviews, data studies. At any stage in the course of the review, USEPA may reach preliminary findings that could impair the commercial viability of a product. For example, in connection with USEPA’s review of the DCPA registration, based upon a comparative thyroid assay study (which is comparatively rare and quite complex), based upon limited data points, the USEPA found an adverse effect upon neonate rodents. Consequently, in June 2024, the agency published preliminary findings, noting its concern that based upon current, permitted use patterns, the product could have an adverse effect upon human health and, in particular, pregnant women. At the same time, the agency invited the Company to examine mitigation measures to allay their concerns, which the Company is doing. On August 6, 2024, the agency issued an emergency suspension of DCPA products, which prohibits their distribution, sale and use. There is no guarantee that the DCPA registrations will not be cancelled. Regulatory activities of this nature, whether in connection with DCPA or other products of significance, could have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s financial performance.

Current wording

Public statements made by USEPA regarding their preliminary findings in connection with the registration review of DCPA could expose the Company to future claims for personal injury which, in turn, could adversely affect the Company’s financial performance. In connection with USEPA’s review of the registration of DCPA products (herbicides used on high-value vegetables), based upon a single comparative thyroid assay study (which is comparatively rare and complex), the USEPA found an adverse effect upon neonate rodents. Consequently, in June 2024, the agency published preliminary findings, noting its concern that based upon current, permitted use patterns, the product could have an adverse effect upon human health. Accordingly, out of an abundance of caution, the Company submitted a significantly narrower label and voluntarily suspended sales of Dacthal pending review and potential approval of that label. Nevertheless, on August 6, 2024, the agency issued an emergency suspension of DCPA products, which prohibits their distribution, sale and use. On August 19, 2024, the Company filed a notice of voluntary cancellation of DCPA registration. In the course of this chronology and in spite of the Company’s voluntary efforts to mitigate risk, EPA has published multiple press releases in which it has repeatedly warned users of potential risk in using the product. Due to EPA’s public statements, the Company was unable to obtain product liability insurance coverage for claims relating to DCPA for the period postdating the renewal date of September 15, 2024. There is no guarantee that the agency’s statements will not result in future claims and/or lawsuits arising from alleged exposure to DCPA. Further, such claims and/or lawsuits could have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s financial performance.