Proposed re-evaluation decision PRVD2025-08, Iron (present as Ferric Sodium EDTA Trihydrate) and its associated end-use products

Pest Management Regulatory Agency
September 26, 2025
ISSN: 1925-0967 (PDF version)
Catalogue number: H113-27/2025-8E-PDF (PDF version)

Summary

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On this page

• Proposed re-evaluation decision for Iron (present as Ferric Sodium EDTA Trihydrate) and associated end use products
• Proposed risk-reduction measures
• Proposed re-evaluation decision
• Next steps
• Other information
• Additional scientific information

Proposed re-evaluation decision for Iron (present as Ferric Sodium EDTA Trihydrate) and 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 health and environmental standards and continue to have value. The re-evaluation considers data and information from pesticide manufacturers, incident reports, and other regulatory agencies. Health Canada applies internationally accepted risk assessment methods, risk management approaches and policies to all re-evaluations.

This document (Proposed Re-evaluation Decision PRVD2025-08, Iron (present as Ferric Sodium EDTA Trihydrate) and Its Associated End-use Products) presents the proposed re-evaluation decision for Iron (present as Ferric Sodium EDTA Trihydrate), also referred to as ferric sodium EDTA, 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. All products containing ferric sodium EDTA, that are registered in Canada are subject to this proposed re-evaluation decision (Appendix I in the full version of PRVD2025-08).

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 risksare 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.

Proposed risk-reduction measures

Registered pesticide product labels include specific instructions for use. Directions include risk-reduction measures to protect human health, the environment and ensure the product has acceptable value which must be followed by law. The proposed label amendments as a result of the re-evaluation of Iron (present as Ferric Sodium EDTA Trihydrate), are summarized below. Refer to Appendix II of PRVD2025-08 for details.

Human health

Updates to precautionary statements related to occupational and residential exposure.

Environment

Updates to use directions related to aquatic environment exposure and disposal 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 Iron (present as Ferric Sodium EDTA Trihydrate) and associated end-use products registered for sale and use in Canada under section 21 of the Pest Control Products Act.

PRVD2025-08 is subject to a 90-day public consultation period,^{Footnote 1} during which the public (including the pesticide manufacturers and stakeholders) may submit written comments to the PMRA through PMRA Publications. The final re-evaluation decision will be published after taking into consideration the comments received during the consultation period that are directly related to the proposed re-evaluation decision.

All products containing Iron (present as ferric sodium EDTA trihydrate) that are registered in Canada are subject to this proposed re-evaluation decision. Refer to Appendix I of PRVD2025-08 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.

Health Canada will accept written comments on this proposal up to 90 days from the date of publication of PRVD2025-08. Before making a re-evaluation decision on Iron (present as ferric sodium EDTA trihydrate) under section 21 of the Pest Control Products Act, the final re-evaluation decision will be published after taking into consideration the comments received during the consultation period that are directly related to this proposed re-evaluation decision. A science-based approach will be applied in making a final decision on Iron (present as ferric sodium EDTA trihydrate). 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, the reasons for it, a summary of the comments received during the consultation period and Health Canada's response to these comments.

Refer to Appendix I of PRVD2025-08 for details on specific products impacted by this proposed decision.

Other information

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

Additional scientific information

No additional scientific data are being requested.