Which of the following is NOT a required component for obtaining a Research Authorization?

To determine which component is not required for obtaining a Research Authorization, it's important to understand the context of research regarding pesticides.

Research Authorizations are designed for entities wishing to conduct studies with unregistered pesticides or using registered pesticides in ways that are not specified on their label. In this process, applicants typically need to provide detailed information about the unregistered pesticide usage, which helps regulatory bodies assess the potential risks and benefits of the proposed research.

Approval from the U.S. EPA is crucial because it ensures that the proposed research complies with federal regulations concerning pesticide use. The EPA's oversight is essential for safety and environmental protection, further substantiating the importance of their approval in this context.

An application submission to the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) is also mandatory. The DPR reviews research proposals to ascertain their compliance with state laws and regulations, thereby ensuring that any research conducted will not pose a risk to public health or the environment.

Verification of controlled environment testing, while important in many research scenarios, is not universally required for all research authorizations. This component may be specific to certain types of studies, rather than a blanket requirement for all research involving pesticides. Therefore, its absence among the mandatory components makes it the correct choice in this case.