Regulatory Directive: Plant Growth Regulators

28 October 1993
ISBN: N/A
Cat. No.: N/A
(DIR93-09)

The purpose of this document is to define the scope of plant growth regulators subject to regulation under the Pest Control Products Act and Regulations.

This Regulatory Directive replaces Trade Memorandum T-1-234 dated June 3, 1981.

Plant growth regulators (PGR's) are those substances used for controlling or modifying plant growth processes without severe phytotoxicity. PGR's are not conventional pesticides. They are, however, subject to regulation under the Pest Control Products (PCP) Act when they are used to control "any injurious or troublesome organic function of a plant."

Currently, PGR products are regulated under either the PCP Act or the Fertilizers Act depending on the nature of their label claims as defined below:

1.0 Products regulated as supplements under Fertilizers Act

Claims that a plant growth regulator functions to enhance root development or the vegetative development of a plant are interpreted as supplement claims and are subject to the Fertilizers Act. Such claims include, but are not limited to, breaking dormancy, induction of early germination or sprouting, root development and vegetative growth promotion. Supplement claims also include soil conditioning and any growth regulator property attributed to vitamins.

2.0 Products regulated under PCP Act

Claims that a plant growth regulator functions to limit root development or the vegetative development of a plant are interpreted as pest control product claims and are subject to the Pest Control Products Act. These claims also include modification of physiological, morphological and reproductive processes of plants other than those within the meaning of "supplement". Such claims include, but are not limited to, the inhibition of sprouts or germination, fruit setting, sucker control, color enhancement, defoliation and the control of pre-harvest drop.

3.0 Products with both supplement claims and pest control products claims

Products containing only growth regulators, which carry mixed claims, are subject to registration under the PCP Act contingent upon acceptance of the supplement claims under the Fertilizers Act. All other products with mixed claims will be subject to registration under the Fertilizers Act.

For further information regarding fertilizer claims of a PGR product, please contact the Plant Products Division, Plant Industry Directorate, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ont., K1A 0C5, telephone (613) 995-7900.

Please direct any inquiries regarding this Regulatory Directive to:

Pest Management Regulatory Agency
Health Canada
2250 Riverside Drive
A.L. 6606D1
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9
Information Service: 1-800-267-6315 (In Canada only)