In Canada, products making biocidal, antimicrobial or antiviral claims are subject to the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA) and must be registered with the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), a division within Health Canada, prior to entering Canadian commerce.

Similar to the US, the manufacturer (or importer) is required to provide information to the PMRA relating to the pesticide ingredients, toxicity, intended usage, labelling, and potential damage to the environment and humans.

Note that anti-pest products intended to be applied to humans (e.g., hand sanitizers) fall out of scope of the PCPA, and are instead regulated under the Natural and Non-prescription Drugs Directorate (NNHPD) as either Natural Health Products or Non-Prescription Drugs, depending on the composition of the product.

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Which services do we offer:

• Biocides scoping assessments & registration ‘roadmaps’

• End-use product registration assistance

• Claim Substantiation

• Efficacy & Endpoint testing

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On February 16, 2023, Health Canada announced that the interim measure for hand sanitizers expired. More details can be found on the Health Canada website.

In 2022 Canada announced new Biocide Regulations. Public consultations concluded in July 2022 and registration and publication of the regulation in Official Gazette Part II is expected mid-2023. According to current plans, regulation should come into force in late 2024. The government expects the transitional period will take at least four years.

Per the proposed regulations biocides would require market authorization prior to import, sales or advertising in Canada. Surface disinfectants and sanitizers will fall in scope of the new regulations, whereas FDA and PMRA will still govern placing on the market of biocides for the following uses as appropriate:

• on the surface of an invasive device and contact lens disinfectant, 

• Use on the surface of food,

• Air and water sanitizers or disinfectants,

• Greenhouse of swimming pool/spa disinfectants,

• Products for use on humans or animals,

• Material preservatives and antimicrobial treated articles, including antimicrobial or bacteriostatic coatings.

As of 1 April 2023, the PMRA will be implementing the disclosure of the names of applicants, after administrative screening of a complete application package, once the application enters the review stream. This information will be included in the Register (via the PPID) for applicable applications received on or after 1 April 2023; and Consultation (in other words, PRD, PMRL) and Registration Decision documents posted on the Pesticides section of Canada.ca for applicable applications received on or after 1 April 2023.

On March 24, 2023, PMRA published the guidance document on registration of non-conventional pest control products. Full document can be found on the Health Canada site.