Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has released a comprehensive five-year work plan outlining its re-evaluation and special review activities ‘up to March 31, 2028’.
The purpose of this plan is to inform registrants, pesticide regulatory officials, and the Canadian public about the agency’s upcoming initiatives.
The work plan encompasses both proposed and final decisions published since April 1, 2023, ongoing re-evaluations and special reviews, as well as new re-evaluations expected to be initiated within the specified timeframe. This updated document builds upon the information provided in the previous publication, Re-evaluation Note REV2022-01, which outlined the PMRA’s work plan for 2022-2027.
Approach
Health Canada, responsible for regulating pesticides in Canada, aims to safeguard the health of Canadians and protect the environment. Pesticides can only be sold or used in the country if they have been registered or authorized under the Pest Control Products Act. To ensure compliance with health and environmental protection standards and ascertain their value, Health Canada employs a rigorous science-based risk assessment approach.
Plans & Process for Re-evaluations
As part of the post-market program, registered pesticides undergo periodic re-evaluation to determine their ongoing acceptability. Re-evaluations may also be initiated due to changes in the required information or assessment procedures employed by Health Canada to ensure that pesticides meet current health, environmental, and value standards.
The re-evaluation process adheres to the guidelines outlined in the Regulatory Directive DIR2016-04, Management of Pesticides Re-evaluation Policy. Additionally, special reviews may be undertaken at any time to address specific concerns associated with a pesticide. Special reviews differ from re-evaluation in that they focus solely on aspects of a pesticide.
In accordance with the Pest Control Products Act, Health Canada publishes all proposed post-market decisions for public consultation. Stakeholders are encouraged to stay informed about
upcoming consultations and new initiatives for active ingredients by visiting the Pesticides section.
It is important to note that the ‘five-year work plan’ may be subject to changes based on workload considerations and emerging issues that necessitate priority action. While the plan will be updated annually, stakeholders and interested parties can monitor the PMRA’s Public Registry throughout the year to stay informed about new re-evaluations and special reviews, as well as the publication of proposed and final decisions.
Health Canada remains committed to ensuring the safety and effectiveness of pesticides while protecting the well-being of Canadians and the environment. By maintaining a proactive approach to pesticide regulation and undertaking rigorous assessments, the agency strives to uphold the highest standards of public health and environmental protection.
