Understanding Pesticide Regulation in Canada: PMRA Registration and Compliance Guide
What Are Pesticides in Canada?
In Canada, pesticides are formally referred to as pest control products (PCPs). These include any substances or organisms used directly or indirectly to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate pests. A new active ingredient could be a completely novel pesticide, or it could be a pesticide that is already registered elsewhere with a history of use. Active ingredients can be:
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Conventional Chemical Pesticides: Typically synthetic chemicals used in agriculture or other pest control scenarios.
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Biopesticides: Products derived from natural sources such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, plants, or minerals.
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Antimicrobial Pesticides: Used to control microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi, algae, protozoa, viruses) or fouling organisms on surfaces, industrial processes, water, or air.
Regulatory Framework: Pest Control Products Act and Regulations
The core legislation governing pesticide regulation in Canada is the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA), which came into force in 2006. It is supported by the Pest Control Products Regulations, outlining detailed requirements for registration, evaluation, and labeling of pest control products.
Under this framework:
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No one may manufacture, possess, handle, store, transport, import, distribute, or use a pest control product unless it is registered with PMRA, unless otherwise exempted.
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Registration decisions are based on a science-based risk assessment, considering efficacy, chemical composition, human health risk, and environmental risk.
Regulatory Authority: Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA)
Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), a branch of Health Canada, is the sole authority responsible for:
- Administering the Pest Control Products Act
- Establishing Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for food
- Overseeing other relevant legislation, such as the Pest Control Products Sales Information Reporting Regulations and Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act
Pesticide Registration Types and Review Timelines in Canada
According to the purpose of the application and the type of data required, pesticide registration in Canada is divided into eight categories:
Category A
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New active ingredients or Integrated System Products (ISP), along with their associated end-use products (EP) and manufacturing-use products (MP)
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Major new uses of already registered pesticide products
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Import Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for unregistered active ingredients
| Category | Completeness Check (days) | Review Period (days)* | Public Consultation (days) |
| Registration of New Active Ingredients or ISPs (including MP or EP containing new active ingredients) | |||
| Conventional Pesticides | 37 | 655 | 45 |
| Microbial Pesticides | 37 | 470 | 45 |
| Reduced-risk Pesticides, Other Biopesticides, Non-conventional Pesticides, NSCLP (Non-Straight-Chain Lepidopteran Pheromones) | 37 | 555 | 45 |
| SCLP (Straight-Chain Lepidopteran Pheromones) | 37 | 285 | 45 |
| Minor Use Registration for Already Registered Products | |||
| Microbial Pesticides | 37 | 470 | 45 |
| Conventional, Low-risk, Other Biopesticides, Non-conventional Pesticides, NSCLP | 37 | 470 | 45 |
| SCLP (Straight-Chain Lepidopteran Pheromones) | 37 | 285 | 45 |
| Import Tolerances (MRLs) | 37 | 655 | / |
| Others (e.g., renegotiated review timelines) | Variable | – | 45 |
Category B
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New pesticide products containing already registered active ingredients
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Emergency registrations
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Amendments to existing pesticide products (e.g., formulation chemistry, labeling)
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Establishment of import Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for previously assessed active ingredients
| Category | Completeness Check (days) | Review Period (days)* |
| Registration of new products with registered active ingredients, or emergency use registration | ||
| Conventional Pesticides | 37 | 425 |
| Microbial Pesticides, SCLP (Straight-Chain Lepidopteran Pheromones) | 37 | 240 |
| Reduced-risk Pesticides, Other Biopesticides, Non-conventional Pesticides, NSCLP (Non-Straight-Chain Lepidopteran Pheromones) | 37
|
360 |
| Amendments to target pest, application rate, or method of application | 37 | 158 |
| Import MRLs for previously assessed active ingredients | 37 | 425 |
| Other (e.g., renegotiated review timelines) | Variable | – |
Category C
Registrations and amendments not requiring data submission, such as minor label or formulation reviews (e.g., registrations based on existing registered products).
| Category | Completeness Check (days) | Review Period (days)* |
| Product chemistry or formulation changes | 37 | 180 |
| Administrative changes or re-instatements【1】 | 37 | 180 |
| New/Changes to Product Labels
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37 | 240 |
| Addition of approved minor uses | 37 | 240 |
| Similar Product
|
37 | 240 |
| Other (e.g., renegotiated review timelines) | Variable | – |
【1】Administrative changes refer to actions like the transfer of registration ownership or changing the source of formulation. Reinstatement refers to restoring registrations that expired within the past 12 months.
Category D
Special application types
| Category | Completeness Check (days) | Review Period (days)* |
| Import/export certificates | / | Typically 10–70 (case-specific) |
| Registration renewal | / | 45 |
| Discontinuation | 7 | 45 |
| Other (e.g., renegotiated review timelines) | Variable | – |
Category E
Research authorisations for new active ingredients or new uses of registered active ingredients
Research notifications in Canada
| Category | Completeness Check (days) | Review Period (days)* |
| Research permit – new active ingredients (food and non-food uses) | 21 | 159 |
| Research permit – new use of registered active ingredient | 21 | 69 |
| Research notification | / | 30 |
Category F
Registrations and amendments made by notification for registered pesticide products
| Category | Review Period (days)* |
| All notifications | 45 |
Category L
Registrations or amendments submitted by referencing data provided by another registrant
Extensions of exclusive use protection based on minor use
| Category | Completeness Check (days) | Review Period (days)* |
| Equivalency and data compensation for TGAIs, MP, EP with no data – all pesticide types | / | 365 |
| With partial data submission – Conventional pesticides | 37 | 425 |
| With partial data – Reduced-risk, other biopesticides, non-conventional, NSCLP | 37 | 360 |
| With partial data – Microbial pesticides and SCLP | 37 | 240 |
| Minor use-based extension of exclusive use protection | 37 | 240 |
| Other (e.g., renegotiated review timelines) | Variable | – |
Category P
Pre-submission consultations
| Category | Review Period (days) |
| Pre-submission consultation (pre-application meeting) | 80 |
* Review times do not include periods during which additional information is requested.
Who Can Apply for Pesticide Registration?
Anyone can submit a pesticide registration application, but foreign applicants must appoint a Canadian agent to represent them in dealings with the PMRA.
Pesticide Registration Review Process
37 Days
Completeness Check → Validation → Screening → Registration Type Determination
Formal Review Phase
Scientific Review → Label Review → Decision
45 Days
Public Consultation → Evaluation Review → Issuance of Approval
Data Protection: Exclusive Use and Compensation
Exclusive Use Protection
Data supporting:
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A new active ingredient
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A new product with a new active ingredient
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A new chemical entity added to a registered product
Exclusive Data is protected for 10 years from approval. For every three minor uses added, the exclusive period may be extended by one year, up to a maximum of 15 years.
Data Compensation Period
All submitted data for registration or amendment is protected under a 12-year compensation period. After 12 years, the data may be freely referenced.
Our Services in Canadian Pesticide Registration
We provide end-to-end regulatory support, including:
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Technical Grade Active Ingredients (TGAI) registration
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Manufacturing-use products (MPs) registration
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End-use products (EP) registration
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Coordination and Planning of Registration Programs between Canada and the United States
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Local agent representation in Canada
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Data gap analysis and waiver strategies
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Negotiation of data compensation agreements
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PMRA regulatory training and compliance support
Why Choose REACH24H?
Decades of Expertise: We specialize in pesticide regulatory affairs across OECD countries (Canada, USA, EU, Brazil, Australia), with a deep understanding of global data alignment strategies.
Strong Technical Team: Our consultants have advanced degrees in chemistry, biology, toxicology, environmental science, and more.
Multilingual Support: We serve clients in English, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, and German.
Robust Lab Network: We collaborate with top-tier GLP laboratories worldwide to design and manage cost-effective and high-quality study programs.
Need help registering your pesticide in Canada?
Let our expert team navigate the PMRA’s regulatory maze for you. Contact us for a consultation or more information.
