International

The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is currently working with its counterparts in other countries to align the processes used to regulate pest control products and ensure the protection of health and the environment.

First International Conference for Heads of Pesticide Regulatory Authorities

International Regulatory Cooperation

The aim of harmonization includes standardization of the type and scope of studies required to register a pesticide, the protocol followed in carrying out these required studies, the format and presentation of the submissions provided in support of a registration application, and the methods used to evaluate submissions and prepare reports.

Most notably, the PMRA pursues a wide range of initiatives with the United States and Mexico through the Working Group on Pesticides (TWG), established under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The NAFTA TWG met for the first time in March 1996; its aim is to create a more consistent basis for pesticide registration by the year 2002. Targets for harmonizing pesticide regulatory processes in the NAFTA countries include:

• developing common data submissions for manufacturers;
• providing greater co-ordination of approval processes for pesticides;
• eliminating trade problems related to differences in maximum residue limits;
• developing a common labelling system; and,
• providing concurrent access to products.

Latest Developments: International Regulatory Cooperation

Other International Initiatives

Alignment initiatives are also being pursued through the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Working Group on Pesticides (WGP) which includes many other federal pesticide regulatory bodies.

Additionally, the PMRA participates in the following initiatives:

•  Convention on Long Range Transboundry Air Pollution
• Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
•  Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal
•  Commission for Environmental Cooperation - Sound Management of Chemicals
•  Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development - Chemical Safety
• Codex Alimentarius
• International Maritime Organization (IMO)
• Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
• Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent (PIC)