Consultation on potassium bicarbonate and its associated end-use products, Proposed Re-evaluation Decision PRVD2025-06

Health Canada is consulting Canadians on the proposal to continue registration of products containing potassium bicarbonate registered for sale and use in Canada, with proposed updates to standard label statements.

Potassium bicarbonate is registered for control or suppression of powdery mildew on a wide range of greenhouse and field crops including certain ornamentals, vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices, cannabis grown in greenhouses or other enclosed growing structures and field-grown cannabis and industrial hemp. It is also registered for suppression of Botrytis grey mold on grapes and partial suppression of primary infections of apple scab in orchards.

When the proposed label directions are followed, these products are shown to have value in providing a pest management solution, and potential risks to human health (occupational, dietary, residential and bystander) and the environment (aquatic and terrestrial organisms) are considered to be acceptable. As a result of re-evaluation, application of potassium bicarbonate is permitted for use only during the vegetative stage of growth for cannabis and industrial hemp (for smoking and vaping). Additional label updates are proposed to improve clarity and to meet current labelling standards.

Currently registered products containing these active ingredients are listed in Appendix I of PRVD2025-06.

For more information on the proposed decision open the “Proposed Re-evaluation Decision”.

How to get involved

This consultation is open for comment from 10 June 2025 to 8 September 2025 (90 calendar days).

To comment on PRVD2025-06:

• Step 1 Request the full consultation document to read the Science Evaluation that is the basis of this proposed regulatory decision.
• Step 2 Submit comments to the PMRA Publications Section.

All comments received will be considered. A final re-evaluation decision will consider additional scientific information provided during the public comment period.

Please refer to the document title Proposed Re-evaluation Decision PRVD2025-06, Potassium Bicarbonate and Its Associated End-Use Products.

Reporting to Canadians

Health Canada will make the results of this consultation available on this website. Once the decision is finalized, the PMRA will post a Re-evaluation Decision on the Pesticides and Pest Management Reports and Publications portion of Canada.ca.

If you have any questions, contact the Pest Management Information Service.

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