Insect Control Regulations

Canadians should feel reassured to know that the evaluation process for insect control products in Canada is considered to be one of the most rigorous worldwide. To meet the strict requirements for product registration in Canada, companies such as SC Johnson are required to submit extensive scientific and technical data for screening and review by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency under the Pest Control Products Act.

Before a product is considered for registration it must undergo extensive testing to determine the product’s “effectiveness and potential for adverse impact on human health and the natural environment.”

Public health and the environment are foremost considerations when evaluating a new insect control product or examining a product or ingredient under re-evaluation or special review. Only products that pose NO unacceptable risks to health and the environment are registered by Health Canada’s PMRA.

What the Pest Management Regulatory Agency does

The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is the federal agency responsible for the regulation of all pest control products in Canada.

The PMRA reviews all scientific data and prepares a full risk assessment, which includes the following components:

  • Any possible health effects on humans, including susceptible populations such as infants, children and pregnant women
  • Any possible effects on wildlife species, including fish, birds, earthworms or beneficial insects
  • The rate and type of degradation in air, soil and water
  • The cumulative risk and aggregate exposure of products

Learn More.

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Field Studies

Laboratory studies are only part of the evaluation process. Field studies are also scrutinized to determine how insect control products behave in the Canadian environment and the human exposure potential under Canadian-use potential.

These studies include:

  • How fast the active breaks down in the soil
  • Whether or not the active ingredient leaches through the soil to water sources
  • Exposure of bystanders and spray applicators during mixing and use
  • Research to identify whether the insect control product works
  • How the product is best used in terms of how much product to use and when to use it

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A continuous process of re-evaluation

Even after insect control products are registered, additional studies continue to ensure environmental and human safety. Product registrations must be renewed at least every five years and may be cancelled at any time if risks to human health and the environment are no longer acceptable. Regulations and policies governing product registrations are continuously updated based on the latest scientific information or research processes.

We encourage you to read more about the Pest Control Products Act on the Health Canada government website.

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Following the Product Label

The product label on any insect control product is a fundamentally important document. It tells how the product should be used, what pests the product is effective against, first aid instructions, how to dispose of the product, active ingredient information and much more. Remember to always read the product label!

Insect control products that are registered for use in Canada contain a Pest Control Products Act (PCP) registration number on the label. This number shows that the federal government has reviewed and registered the product. Guarantee: The guarantee tells you the name of the ingredients that are considered active ingredients. The active ingredient is the part of the product formula that controls the targeted pest. The guarantee also shows the concentration, or how much of the active ingredient is in the product.

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