Pesticides Guidance Document, Procedures for the registration of pesticides for emergency use

• Pesticides Information Service
• Pesticides Regulatory Directorate
• Health Canada

• 15 October 2026
• ISSN: 3111-4016
• Catalogue Number: H128-3/1-2026E-PDF (PDF version)

Document history (revision/update)

Disclaimer

This document does not constitute part of the Pest Control Products Act or its regulations and in the event of any inconsistency or conflict between the Act or regulations and this document, the Act or the regulations take precedence. This document is an administrative document that is intended to facilitate compliance by the regulated party with the Act, the regulations and the applicable administrative policies.

Table of contents

• Purpose
• 1.0 Introduction
• 2.0 Sponsorship
• 3.0 Organizing an emergency registration application
• 4.0 Emergency registration in subsequent years
• 5.0 Multi-year emergency registrations
• 6.0 Application submission
• Appendix I

Purpose

This document is intended to provide guidance for registering or amending the registrations of pest control products (also known as "pesticides") for emergency control of seriously detrimental pest infestations. Where currently registered pesticides and cultural control methods or practices (for example, pest-resistant varieties, physical exclusion) are insufficient to address the pest outbreak, Health Canada will consider requests for registration of pesticides for emergency use.

This document replaces Regulatory Directive DIR2017-03, Registration of Pesticides for Emergency Use: Revised Procedures, and incorporates information obtained from public comments on the proposal PRO2025-03, Consultation on Revised Procedures for the Registration of Pesticides for Emergency Use. A summary of public comments received on PRO2025-03 has been published on the Pesticides consultations webpage of Canada.ca.

This guidance must be read in conjunction with the Pest Control Products Act and the Pest Control Products Regulations.

1.0 Introduction

Under section 18 of the Pest Control Products Regulations, the Minister of Health may register a pest control product or amend the registration of a pest control product to permit its use for "the emergency control of a seriously detrimental pest infestation" for a maximum validity period of three years, which may not be extended or renewed. It should be noted that the definition of a "seriously detrimental infestation" set out in this guidance document applies to how the term is used in both the Pest Control Products Act and Pest Control Products Regulations.

The process outlined in this document addresses emergency pest situations only. Emergency registrations are not a tool for early or extended access to pest control products (pesticides) not currently registered for that use, nor to optimize the management of known and ongoing pest problems. For known or ongoing pest problems where no registered product is available, the regular registration processes in place to address such situations are recommended.

Health Canada interprets "seriously detrimental infestation" to mean a pest outbreak or pest situation where the following criteria are met:

1. the situation is unmanageable using existing registered products or other cultural (meaning, non-pesticidal) control methods, and
2. the situation is expected to cause significant health, environmental or economic impacts.

In determining whether these criteria are met, Health Canada considers all available information, including whether currently registered pest control products, physical control methods, or other pest management practices may be employed to mitigate the negative impacts of the infestation.

In cases where alternative solutions may exist but are regarded as insufficient to mitigate damages from the infestation, Health Canada encourages sponsors to consult directly with its Pesticides Regulatory Directorate before formally submitting their application to ensure the emergency registration request is processed promptly. Given the diversity of emergency pest situations, establishing general criteria to determine if alternative control measures are sufficient is not practical and potentially unnecessary prescriptive.

Examples of emergency pest situations may include but are not limited to:

• invasion by a new pest organism,
• a sudden and significant increase in pest pressures due to environmental or other conditions, or
• the need for an alternative application method due to adverse weather conditions.

When an emergency pest situation persists beyond the expiry date of the original emergency registration, a new emergency use application may be submitted for the same pest. In such instances, applications should be submitted prior to the expiration of the original emergency registration to avoid lapses in access to the use. See Section 4.0 for additional information on subsequent requests for emergency registration of the same use.

Emergency registration requests for agricultural uses are typically limited to a single specific crop. In certain scenarios, multiple crops may be considered. For example, when a seriously detrimental pest infestation affects more than one crop from a recognized crop group in the same way, a single emergency use request may be acceptable provided the use pattern on all crops is identical and the added crops do not require additional risk assessments. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with Health Canada prior to the submission of an emergency use request for multiple crops. As a condition of the emergency registration, Health Canada may impose special terms or conditions on the emergency use, such as:

• additional precautionary label statements,
• personal protective equipment requirements,
• specific application equipment or engineering controls (for example, closed application systems), or
• the requirement for additional studies or post-use monitoring activities.

Failure to adhere to all applicable conditions of the emergency registration may result in Health Canada taking enforcement action under the Pest Control Products Act.

Because emergency registrations require a short turnaround time, consideration will be given first to products that are registered in Canada for which the risks to human health and the environment have been previously assessed. When no Canadian-registered product is available, consideration may be given to products registered in other jurisdictions. Requests for emergency registration of products containing active ingredients that are not or no longer registered in Canada require substantially higher amounts of time and resources to process and will only be considered in exceptional circumstances. As with all registration, an emergency use will only be approved with evidence that the health and environmental risks are acceptable, and the product has acceptable value in addressing the emergency pest situation.

2.0 Sponsorship

Emergency registrations are generally sponsored by the provincial, territorial or federal authority that supports the management of the pest problem (for example, a provincial Ministry of Agriculture or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency). The individual representing the sponsoring organization, henceforth referred to as the sponsor, is responsible for compiling and submitting a complete application package that includes all the required information described in Section 3.0 of this guidance document. The sponsor serves as the primary contact throughout the application process and is also responsible for discussing the application with all relevant ministries from each participating province and resolving any concerns or issues before submitting the application to Health Canada.

3.0 Organizing an emergency registration application

The following subsections outline the information required for a complete application for a default one-year emergency registration. Additional information required for a multi-year emergency registration is described in Section 5.0. In addition to the administrative requirements (letters, forms and labels), all technical information, including the supporting health, environmental and value information, should be organized under the headings listed. A submission checklist is provided in Appendix I.

It is highly recommended that applicants considering a request for a first-time emergency registration contact Health Canada prior to submission to discuss the details of the emergency situation to determine if it meets the eligibility criteria and other requirements.

For guidance, inquiries or notifications related to an emergency registration application, prospective sponsors (provincial/territorial and federal partners involved in the preparation of emergency registration applications) can contact Health Canada through the emergency registration central email inbox at: pesticides.ER-HU@hc-sc.gc.ca

General inquiries related to the emergency registration process should continue to be directed to the Pesticides Information Service.

3.1 Administrative and regulatory requirements

A cover letter, all required forms, letters of support and declaration forms, the processing fee, and draft supplemental labels must be submitted with the emergency registration application. A checklist of the required information can be found in Appendix I.

Letters and declaration forms

All documents described under "1.0 Administrative Requirements" in Appendix I are required for each application. Letters of support from grower groups or associations may also be included as additional supporting information.

The cover letter from the sponsor must explain the purpose of the application. The letter from the registrant must indicate support for the proposed emergency use of their product and confirm that there is sufficient product available to address the emergency for the period required. Any issues from the registrant regarding the liability of use (for example, efficacy or crop tolerance) must be resolved by the sponsor prior to submission of the application.

A signed declaration indicating the authority responsible for pesticide regulation (for example, the provincial Ministry of the Environment) is not aware of any issues that would preclude the emergency use for the intended purpose must be provided for each province and territory listed on the emergency use application. These declarations ensure that the relevant provincial/ territorial authorities are informed of the application and will allow the proposed use should the registration be granted, thereby reducing the chance of wasteful expenditure of resources on emergency reviews.

In certain circumstances, additional letters of support or declarations may be required by Health Canada and requested during review of the submission.

3.2 Labels

The sponsor must provide draft emergency use labels in both English and French, in MS Word format, which are supported by the registrant and submit them to Health Canada. Only information directly related to the emergency use is included on the emergency use labels, and reference to any other uses must be deleted. The labels must clearly indicate the proposed directions for use related to the emergency use, including precautions, restrictions and all other label requirements set out in the Pest Control Products Regulations.

The front panel of the labels must state "For Emergency Use Only", indicate the nature of the emergency use, list the participating province(s) and/or territories, and indicate the requested start and end date of the emergency registration validity period.

Example: "FOR EMERGENCY USE ONLY. For sale and use only in British Columbia to suppress cotton ball rot on cranberry, from 1 July 2025 until 30 September 2025."

Health and environmental information

Health Canada will use all available relevant information in its possession to support the health and environmental assessments. In addition, the applicant may be required to submit information described under the "Health and environmental information" section of the application as specified below.

Human activities associated with the emergency use of the product

The applicant may be required to submit additional information specific to the emergency registration application regarding mixer/loader/applicator and/or postapplication activities.^{Footnote 1}

Crop residue data

For emergency registration requests in which a food or feed use is proposed, relevant residue data (either in Health Canada's possession or provided by the applicant), must demonstrate the level of residues anticipated in the crops when treated according to the proposed use pattern.

During the review of an emergency registration, Health Canada will determine a maximum residue limit that is specific to the pesticide-commodity combination use within the context of the emergency registration. Health Canada will notify the relevant stakeholders accordingly.

Relevant environmental information

The applicant maybe required to submit additional information on environmental exposure specific to the emergency registration request.

3.3 Value information

The applicant must provide the following information under the "Value information" section of the application.

Description of the emergency situation

In the dossier of information supporting the application, a description of the nature and scope of the pest problem, including geographical distribution of the pest infestation, must be provided.

Rationale for emergency use

The sponsor must describe how the application meets both criteria for an emergency use described in Section 1.0 for each participating province. It must include a rationale addressing why the pest outbreak or situation is a seriously detrimental infestation with respect to health or the environment, or why it would result in significant economic loss.

The rationale should also address why the pest was not considered to be a problem in recent years, and why the situation cannot be resolved either with the currently registered alternatives, by non-pesticidal means or through registration via the normal regulatory process.

The sponsor must also justify why the emergency use is required for the requested period.

Description of proposed product and use pattern

A summary of the proposed product and use pattern must be provided with the following information:

• The common (ISO 1750), trade and chemical (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) names for the pesticide proposed,
• The Pest Control Products Act registration number (if applicable),
• The application rate (of both the product and active ingredient),
• Maximum number of applications per year or, if applicable, crop cycle,
• Number of crop cycles per year (if applicable),
• Initial application timing,
• Application intervals,
• Application method,
• Re-entry interval, and
• If applicable, pre-harvest interval (if for crop use).

The applicant is encouraged to provide this information in table format. If the rationale is based on the product being approved for the same use in another country, the foreign registration number and a copy of the foreign label must be provided.

Registered alternatives and cultural control methods

The sponsor should provide the product names, registration numbers, and indicate the type of control measure (for example, conventional or non-conventional pesticide, pheromone) for any alternative registered pest control products, and describe any cultural control methods (for example, adjusting planting dates, using resistant varieties, or deploying alternative crop rotation strategies) with an explanation why each of these alternatives are insufficient to manage the pest outbreak. The sponsor is encouraged to provide this information in table format.

Evidence (for example, scientific reports) is required to support any justification for emergency use based on resistance to registered alternatives.

Explanation for choice of product and proposed use pattern

The sponsor must describe what level of pest management is required to mitigate the outbreak and provide evidence that the product will deliver an acceptable level of pest control when applied as proposed. Efficacy data (including foreign data), use history, scientific rationales or other scientific information to address product performance, resistance management and crop tolerance (where applicable) may be provided.

Emergency uses with a realistic prospect of full registration must be prioritized in the choice of product whenever possible. The value assessment for first-time emergency use requests will take into consideration information provided in this section regarding intended actions and anticipated timelines to obtain full registration of the subject use.

Description of social and economic impacts

The sponsor should discuss the anticipated economic, social and environmental costs that may occur without the emergency registration. For agricultural emergency uses, a description of crop value should be included, as well as the expected percent crop loss or percent economic loss of gross or net revenues without the emergency registration. For non-agricultural emergency uses, the impact of not accessing a pest control product should be described, including the potential ecological loss or any impacts on the environment or human health or the economy. Specific consideration can be given to national economic security, regional economic security and national food security.

3.4 Other information

Other information related to the emergency use may be requested by Health Canada during the assessment, including information such as if the product must be imported for use, and the need for Canadian labels prior to distribution and use within Canada. Products being imported into Canada must be accompanied by the Canadian emergency label.

Emergency registrations may require additional supporting information or action under other legislation, such as the Food and Drugs Act or the Fisheries Act. The granting of an emergency registration allows a product to be manufactured, imported, distributed and used under the Pest Control Products Act; but, it is the responsibility of the registrant or the sponsor to ensure that requirements under any other applicable legislation have been met.

4.0 Emergency registration in subsequent years

Where the pest infestation is likely to remain an ongoing issue in future years, Health Canada expects the sponsor and registrant to prioritize the pest issue and pursue full registration of the use through normal regulatory processes as soon as possible. If the pest situation persists beyond the initial validity period and a repeat of the emergency registration is sought, a new application with an up-to-date information package that includes all documentation listed above must be submitted. The new submission must include a justification for the continued need for the emergency use, and any changes to the emergency situation. An update on progress made towards full registration of the use or finding a different long-term solution to the problem must also be provided. If the process towards registration through regular procedures has not been initiated (for example, through a User Requested Minor Use Label Expansion (URMULE) or other process), confirmation of a pre-submission consultation request (for example, a submission number) for the subject use should be provided. When applicable, the use should be prioritized at the Minor Use Priority Setting Workshop within the participating province(s) to demonstrate the ongoing need for the registration.

Similar to first-time emergency use requests, value assessments of requests for emergency registration for the same use in subsequent years will take into consideration submitted information regarding progress towards full registration.

5.0 Multi-year emergency registrations

Under paragraph 18(a) of the Pest Control Products Regulations, validity periods for emergency registrations of up to three years may be granted. Multi-year validity periods will be considered by Health Canada whenever the pest situation is reasonably expected to last for more than the default validity period of one year. Extended validity periods may be of particular benefit in efforts to prevent the establishment of a new invasive species (for example, as a component of an Early Detection Rapid Response program). An extended validity period may also be beneficial for control of a pest posing other environmental concerns (for example, threat to biodiversity, species-at-risk) given the lack of a facilitated regulatory pathway for full registration and a regulatory burden that may be substantially higher than is typically associated with emergency registrations (for example, lengthy public consultations before use). Moreover, with the aim of preventing unnecessary regulatory burden, multi-year validity periods may be considered for any emergency situation that is expected to require more than a year to resolve if the extended validity period is not expected to impact the health and environmental risks.

In addition to the requirements for one-year emergency registrations described in Section 3.0 of this guidance document, any sponsor requesting multi-year emergency registrations must include in their application a detailed justification for an extended validity period. This information should be included in the Value information described in Section 3.3.

6.0 Application submission

All information pertaining to the emergency registration application must be compiled by the sponsor and submitted to Health Canada using the Electronic Pesticide Regulatory System (e-PRS) Secure Web Portal, or by sending the Pesticides Regulatory Zip (PRZ) file to: pesticides.docs@hc-sc.gc.ca

Information regarding this process can be found on the Electronic Pesticide Regulatory System (e-PRS) page on the Canada.ca website.

The review process cannot be completed until all supporting information has been received.

The application is to include the following forms (available on the Forms for Registrant and Applicants webpage on the pesticides portion of Canada.ca):

• Application for New or Amended Registration form (Form 6005)
• Fee Estimate form (Form 6011) for the current fiscal year
• Proposed New Uses and/or Uses to be Withdrawn from the Label form (Form 6023)
• A Statement of Product Specification form (Form 6003) is required for the proposed use of any end-use product not currently registered in Canada

The sponsor should ensure that the latest version of the forms is used in the emergency registration application.

The application form (Form 6005) should show that it is for an Emergency Registration by indicating "emergency use" next to "Other:" in section B under Purpose of Application (Section 11). To avoid delays, the sponsor must ensure the accuracy of the information provided under Submission Contact (in other words, the sponsor's contact information). For all emergency registration applications, notify Health Canada after completing your electronic submission to ensure it gets processed with minimal delays.

Invoicing

Payments are no longer to be submitted to Health Canada at the time of application. Do not send payment with the application and fee estimate form. Once both forms are received, Health Canada will send an invoice for payment to the party indicated on the fee form. Payment can only be accepted after the official invoice has been sent out.

Fees and the invoice number will be specified on the invoice issued by Health Canada. These will be required when making payment.

Fees for emergency registrations are normally paid by the sponsoring organization. In instances where a different party (for example, grower association or other stakeholders) intends to pay the fee, 1) they should be identified as the payer on the fee form (Form 6011) and 2) their complete contact information must be added to the "Submission Contact" section of the application form alongside the sponsor's information. To avoid confusion and delays in invoicing, please ensure that the payer's contact information on the application form is easily differentiated from the sponsor's (for example, marked as "FOR INVOICING").

Updated information on payment options will be provided with the invoice.

Appendix I

Checklist of the information required for an emergency registration application

1.0 Administrative requirement

• Cover letter from the sponsor. This letter must include the email information for all parties supporting the emergency registration application.
• Letter of registrant support
• Letter of provincial/territorial support from the department responsible for pesticide use (for example, the Ministry of Agriculture or Ministry of Health)
• Declaration form^{Footnote 2} from the department responsible for pesticide regulation (for example, the Ministry of the Environment)
• Application form (Form 6005)
• Proposed New Uses form (Form 6023)
• Fee Form (Form 6011)
• Statement of Product Specification Form (Form 6003); applicable only for end-use products not currently registered in Canada
• Draft English emergency use label in MS word format
• Draft French emergency use label in MS word format

2.0 Technical information

Health and environmental information

• Human activities associated with emergency use of the product
• Crop residue data (if applicable)
• Relevant environmental information

Value information

• Description of emergency
• Rationale for emergency use
• Description of proposed product and use pattern
• Summary of registered alternatives (table format)
• Explanation for the choice of product and use pattern
• Description of socio-economic impact
• Information with respect to national or regional economic security, and national food security (when applicable; can be included in the rationale for emergency use above)
• Justification for an extended validity period (when a multi-year emergency registration is requested)

3.0 Other information

• Requirements for product importation or re-labelling
• Information on progress towards full registration of the use through normal regulatory channels^{Footnote 3}