Pesticide (Ministerial) Regulation
(AR 43/97)
Pesticide Sales, Handling, Use and Application Regulation
(AR 24/97)

February 1997

The Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA) deals with various aspects of pesticide use within Alberta, including handling, sales and application.

Pesticides in Alberta are regulated by the EPEA, the Pesticide (Ministerial) Regulation, the Pesticide Sales, Handling, Use and Application Regulation, and by the Environmental Code of Practice for Pesticides (referenced within both regulations).

Part 8 of the Act deals generally with pesticides and gives Alberta Environmental Protection powers to control all aspects of pesticide use in Alberta through regulations.

The Pesticide (Ministerial) Regulation provides for the classification of pesticides, and also deals with certification of pesticide applicators and registrations for pesticide vendors and businesses offering pesticide application services. The Pesticide Sales, Handling, Use and Application Regulation regulates the sale and handling of various classes of pesticides. Handling, storage and disposal of pesticides is also covered by this regulation. Pesticide applicators, services and vendors are further regulated by the Environmental Code of Practice for Pesticides referenced within both of the regulations. This Code of Practice is designed to be updated and revised as required and sets out the standards regarding training, supervision, insurance, mixing and loading sites, sales of pesticides to acreage owners and hobby greenhouse owners, etc.

The four pesticide schedules were rewritten in the Pesticide (Ministerial) Regulation. The revised classification system harmonizes more with the federal classification system and will be easier for pesticide distributors and retailers to follow. Schedule 4 was expanded to include all "antimicrobial" products as well as other "traditional" pesticides that were either regulated by other provincial statute, or did not pose a significant environmental concern to warrant them being subject to certification, vendor or service provisions.

Commercial pesticides are generally not accessible to the public. The exception being certain pesticides listed in the Code of Practice that are available to acreage and hobby greenhouse owners. Commercial pesticides and Domestic pesticides intended for outdoor use can not be sold at stores that sell fresh meat, fresh produce, dairy products, unwrapped baked goods, or personal use items (i.e. hygiene items). Sales and storage areas for pesticides and these items must be separated.

Pesticide storage regulations were further harmonized with national pesticide storage standards being implemented by pesticide manufacturers and distributors.

The application of fumigants and baits are regulated through regulations rather than approvals. Factsheets, developed in conjunction with former approval holders, and other interested parties, are distributed to commercial agriculturalists and pesticide applicators when fumigants and baits are purchased.

For certain types of routine applications within 30 metres of water, pesticides and application equipment approved for these uses are specified in the Code of Practice.

Pesticide applications made directly to open bodies of water or within a 5 metre "no impact zone" will continue to be regulated through special use approvals.

Companies, government agencies and irrigation districts among others carrying out pesticide application services for hire or reward, on rights-of-way, for forest management, or on specified types of public land require service registrations. Applicants for service registrations are inspected to ensure compliance with the regulations and that the company employs at least one applicator with the appropriate class of applicator certificate for the work proposed. Registrations are valid for up to 10 years.

Training for pesticide applicators is delivered through provincial colleges, and meets the national standard established by a national body of provincial training specialists. Individual applicators will continue to receive certificates of qualification to recognize their knowledge and pesticide application skills. Ten certificate categories are recognized in regulation. Harmonization and reciprocity in recognizing each other's certificates is proceeding with other provinces. Applicators are required to follow the standards regarding training and supervision of assistants, establishment of mixing/loading sites, and other operational provisions outlined in the Code of Practice. Applicator certificates issued under the Pesticide (Ministerial) Regulation are valid for a 5 year period.

Recyclable pesticide containers will be disposed of through the provincial network of established container collection sites. Refillable containers are to be returned to dealers/distributors for refilling.

Pesticides that have been cancelled by the federal government for further use must be accepted back by the registrant.

Provincial approvals to conduct research with unregistered compounds are not required. This requirement was removed to avoid duplication with the federal regulatory provisions.