Memo - Applicants and Regulatory Representatives: Doing Business Electronically with the Pest Management Regulatory Agency

August 24, 2004

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to communicate to applicants/registrants and their regulatory representatives, an additional approach for submission of pesticide applications to the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) that would allow the use of web-based services.

Overview

In order to continue to build more efficient and effective approaches to the regulation of pesticides, the PMRA is enhancing the electronic capability for its pesticide application, registration and information processes under the Government of Canada's On-line Program.

On September 15, 2004, the PMRA will launch the e-PRS (Pest Management Regulatory Agency Electronic Regulatory System), a web-based service to support PMRA's current registration processes by providing applicants/registrants and their regulatory representatives with the ability to securely conduct business with the Agency using the Internet.

Approach

The initial implementation of e-PRS services will be phased in and the use of the web-based approach will be voluntary.

Phase 1 -- Enrolment: During the fall 2004, applicants/registrants and their regulatory representatives interested in transacting via e-PRS will be required to enrol and obtain authorization. An e-PRS enrolment package will be available for download from the PMRA website on September 15, 2004.

Phase 2 -- Pilot e-PRS Applications: Enrolled applicants/registrants and their regulatory representatives will have the opportunity to prepare and pilot the submission of specific types of pesticide applications using new services for on-line forms and assembly of electronic applications. Terms of reference for pilot activities will be introduced at an industry training session scheduled for September 13, 2004, and posted on the PMRA web site on September 15, 2004.

Phase 3 -- e-PRS Applications: Once the pilot phase is completed and the results are analyzed, a decision will be made regarding full implementation.

Schedule

The following are the targeted e-PRS milestone dates:

1. Industry e-PRS Information Session -- September 13, 2004
2. Enrolment package available -- September 13, 2004
3. e-PRS enrolment service activated -- September 15, 2004
4. e-PRS application pilot -- November 2004

Communication

Effective September 15, 2004, the PMRA web site will include a section on e-PRS, where applicants/registrants and their regulatory representatives can go to receive the latest information on e-PRS services, new features, training sessions, guidance and frequently asked questions (FAQs).

All e-PRS enquiries will be channelled via the Pest Management Information Service.