Proposed re-evaluation decision PRVD2025-05, Fatty acid cluster and its associated end-use products

Pest Management Regulatory Agency
7 March 2025
ISSN: 1925-0967 (PDF version)
Catalogue number: H113-27/2025-5E-PDF (PDF version)

Summary

Table of contents

• Proposed re-evaluation decision for fatty acid cluster and its associated end-use products
• Key risk-reduction measures
• Proposed re-evaluation decision
• Next steps
• Other information
• Additional scientific information

Proposed re-evaluation decision for fatty acid cluster and its associated end-use products

Under the authority of the Pest Control Products Act, all registered pesticides must be re-evaluated by Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) to ensure that they continue to meet current health and environmental standards and continue to have value. The re-evaluation considers data and information from pesticide manufacturers, published scientific reports and other regulatory agencies. Health Canada applies internationally accepted risk assessment methods as well as current risk management approaches and policies.

This document (Proposed Re-evaluation Decision PRVD2025-05, Fatty Acid Cluster and Its Associated End-use Products) presents the proposed re-evaluation decision for the fatty acid cluster (fatty acids, potassium salts of fatty acids, triethanolamine salts of fatty acids, and ammonium salt of fatty acid), including any proposed amendments (risk mitigation measures) to protect human health and the environment, as well as the Science evaluation on which the proposed decision is based.

The fatty acid cluster includes fatty acids of different chain lengths in the form of acids or salts (potassium, ammonium, and triethanolamine salts of fatty acids). Currently registered products containing these active ingredients are listed in Appendix I of the full version of PRVD2025-05.

Potassium salts of fatty acid products: Registered insecticides or herbicides for both commercial and/or domestic applications on: greenhouse, indoor and outdoor uses; seed production for several crops and indoor cannabis.

Products of triethanolamine salts of fatty acids: Registered as insecticides for commercial and/or domestic use on: greenhouse, indoor and outdoor ornamentals; and outdoor fruits and vegetables.

Products of fatty acids: Registered herbicides that manage several species of weeds around commercial and domestic buildings, around greenhouses, several outdoor areas, and around plants and gardens.

Products of ammonium salt of fatty acid: Registered as commercial and/or domestic herbicides used to manage weed species and liverworts around: greenhouse crops; interiorscapes; outdoor food crops; commercial indoor and outdoor cannabis and industrial hemp, outdoor areas and on and around structures, patios and walkways; and outdoor turf and gardens.

When the proposed label directions are followed, these products are shown to have acceptable value in providing a pest management solution, and potential risks to human health (occupational, dietary, residential and bystander) and the environment (aquatic and terrestrial organisms) are considered to be acceptable. Registered pesticide product labels include specific directions for use. Directions include risk mitigation measures to protect human health and the environment that must be followed by law. As a result of the re-evaluation of the fatty acid cluster, additional label updates are proposed to meet current standards. This includes statements to minimize worker, postapplication, residential and bystander exposures; as well, update to runoff, disposal and storage statements.

Key risk-reduction measures

Human health

Label amendments to meet current standards: clarify use directions labels according to use pattern, update restricted-entry interval (REI), personal protective equipment (PPE) and first-aid statements and addition of precautionary statements for people and pets.

Environment

Label amendments to meet current standards: update environmental precaution, runoff, disposal and storage statements.

Proposed re-evaluation decision

Under the authority of the Pest Control Products Act, and based on available scientific information in accordance with subsection 16(6) of the Pest Control Products Act, Health Canada is proposing for public consultation, pursuant to section 28 of the Pest Control Products Act, the continued registration of products containing fatty acids, potassium salts of fatty acids, triethanolamine salts of fatty acids and ammonium salt of fatty acid and associated end-use products registered for sale and use in Canada under section 21 of the Pest Control Products Act.

This document is subject to a 90-day public consultation period.^{Footnote 1}

Comments on the proposed decision can be submitted to the PMRA through PMRA Publications, or the Public Engagement Portal (Public Engagement Forms - Consultation Comment). All products containing fatty acids, potassium salts of fatty acids, triethanolamine salts of fatty acids and ammonium salt of fatty acid that are registered in Canada are subject to this proposed re-evaluation decision.

Refer to Appendix I of PRVD2025-05 for details on specific products impacted by this proposed decision

Next steps

Upon publication of this proposed re-evaluation decision, the public, including the registrants and stakeholders are encouraged to submit comments during the 90-day public consultation period.

Before making a re-evaluation decision on the fatty acid cluster under section 21 of the Pest Control Products Act, written comments received during the consultation period will be taken into consideration, and a science-based approach will be applied in making a final decision on the fatty acid cluster. In accordance with subsection 28(5) of the Pest Control Products Act, Health Canada will then publish a final re-evaluation decision document, which will include the decision,^{Footnote 2} the reasons for it, a summary of the comments received on the proposed re-evaluation decision during the consultation period, and Health Canada's response to these comments.

Other information

The relevant confidential test data on which the proposed decision is based are available for public inspection, upon application, in PMRA's Reading Room. For more information or if you have questions, please contact the Pest Management Information Service.

Additional scientific information

No additional scientific data are being requested at this time.