The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)

Implications for Pest Control Products in Canada

PDF Version (1,099 KB)

Brenda Linke, Health Evaluation Division
October 15, 2003

Overview of Pesticides Regulatory System

• Pest Control Products Act (PCPA) governs pesticides regulation
• administered by Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA)
• assessment of risk and value relative to proposed use
• information addressing safety, merit and value required on labels
• approval process involves extensive review, including label

Label Approval Is Part Of The Registration Process

• conditions of registration governing use of product
• communicates hazard, provides advice on risk mitigation
• pesticide products must bear approved label
• legally binding document; changes must be approved by PMRA
• use in manner inconsistent with label directions or limitations is prohibited
• PCPA 2002 will not affect fundamental aspects

Labelling Encompasses Hazard-based And Risk-based Approach

• Pest Control Products Regulations (PCPR) stipulate types of label information
  symbols and associated signal words
  
  • nature and level of hazard
  • physical and acute health hazards
  • Schedule III of the PCPR
    
• label comprehension and clarity are critical to ensure safe use

Pesticide Symbols

Pesticide Border Shapes & Signal Words

PMRA Has Criteria For Hazard Identification/classification Purposes:

• flammable, corrosive, acutely toxic, irritating
• 3 levels of hazard in increasing severity: CAUTION, WARNING, DANGER
• symbol and signal word verification performed by PMRA

Other Health And Environmental Hazards

• risk assessment approach
  
  • identify the hazard
  • estimate exposure
  • determine risk
    
• mitigation measures appear on label as condition of use

Disclosure Of Hazardous Ingredients

• active ingredient and guarantee on label
• no regulatory requirement to disclose other hazardous ingredients
• PCPA 2002
  • active ingredient and components of health or environmental concern (Health Canada list)
  • not considered Confidential Business Information
  • new regulations could require listing on MSDS and label

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

• not a current requirement
• PCPA 2002
  
  • required for workplaces where product is used or manufactured
  • content to be prescribed in regulations
  • GHS taken into account

PMRA Defines Market Classes

• framework for provincial regulation of sale and use
• Domestic, Commercial, Restricted
• intended uses, package size, potential risk, and inherent hazards
• labels must show designated market class

F/P/T Committee on Pest Management and Pesticides

• proposal for modifications to federal market class system
• harmonization of federal and provincial systems
• cutoff values for acute toxicity generally in line with GHS
• allow for incorporation of other GHS hazards later

Implementation of the GHS will result in changes to:

• hazard criteria and associated cut-off values
• label symbols
• label signal words
• label hazard statements
  
  Symbol Implications

Pesticides	GHS

• new hazard symbol on many pesticides used in/around the home
• comprehension issues
• market class eligibility due to change in acute toxicity cut-offs
• realign market class health hazard criteria
• label for hazards beyond current approach
• linkages to other labelling initiatives
• implementation time line
• mechanism of implementation

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/pmra-arla