Health Canada to stop issuing new conditional registrations for pesticides

Effective June 1, 2016, Health Canada will no longer grant new conditional registrations for pesticides. This is an important step to improve the openness and transparency of Canada's pesticide regulatory system, by providing the public with an opportunity to be consulted on all major pesticide registration decisions.

Pesticides are registered in Canada only after a rigorous scientific evaluation determines that no harm to human health or the environment will result from exposure or use. In the past, conditional registrations were granted on occasion when the scientific review determined that the risks of a pesticide were acceptable, but additional supporting information was required.

This policy change addresses a recommendation made by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development in the Fall 2015 report. The final policy is available on the Health Canada website and it includes an analysis of the comments received during the public consultation.