Consultation on iron (present as Ferric Sodium EDTA Trihydrate) and associated end-use products, Proposed Re-evaluation Decision PRVD2025-08

Current status: Open

Opened on September 26, 2025 and will close for consultation on December 25, 2025.

Health Canada is consulting Canadians on the proposal to continue registration of iron (present as Ferric Sodium EDTA Trihydrate) and associated end-use products registered for sale and use in Canada, with proposed updates to standard label statements.

Ferric sodium EDTA is registered as both a molluscicide and as a selective pre- and post-emergent herbicide. As a molluscicide, when ingested by slugs or snails, the iron in the compound interacts with hemocyanin in the blood. As a herbicide, when weeds absorb large quantities of iron bound to the chelating agent, EDTA, it causes cellular damage. Associated end-use products are formulated as granules to be applied by ground application to soil surfaces for both commercial and domestic uses. Currently registered products containing ferric sodium EDTA can be found in the Pesticide Product Information Database and in Appendix I of PRVD2025-08.

Ferric sodium EDTA has value because it controls some of the most troublesome weeds, such as dandelions, creeping buttercup, clovers and thistles, in commercial and domestic settings and it is the only molluscicide registered for domestic use on lawns for the control of slugs and snails. Based on the current registered use pattern, the potential occupational, dietary, residential and environmental risks are considered to be acceptable when products containing ferric sodium EDTA are used according to proposed label updates. As a result of re-evaluation, no additional mitigation measures are proposed, however, updates to label statements for consistency as per current labelling standards are being proposed in Appendix II of PRVD2025-08.

For more information on the proposed decision open the "Proposed Re-evaluation Decision".

How to get involved

This consultation is open for comment from 26 September 2025 to 25 December 2025 (90 calendar days).

To comment on PRVD2025-08:

1. Step 1: Request the full consultation document to read the Science Evaluation that is the basis of this proposed regulatory decision.
2. Step 2: Submit comments to the PMRA Publications Section.

Comments received during the consultation period that are directly related to the proposed re-evaluation decision will be considered. A final re-evaluation decision will consider additional scientific information provided during the public comment period.

Please refer to the document title Proposed Re-evaluation Decision PRVD2025-08, Iron (present as Ferric Sodium EDTA Trihydrate) and its associated end-use products.

Reporting to Canadians

Health Canada will make the results of this consultation available on this website. Once the decision is finalized, the PMRA will post a Re-evaluation Decision on the Pesticides and Pest Management Reports and Publications portion of Canada.ca.

If you have any questions, contact the Pest Management Information Service.

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