Pesticide Labelling Legislation

"Health Canada's Pest Regulatory Management Agency (PMRA) invites comments from all those interested in ensuring that information on labels of all classes of pest control products in Canada is clearly presented and understandable, while minimizing the impact of making label changes on registrants and the government. This document proposes activities in support of the framework's objectives."--Document.

International and national legal frameworks governing the trade and use of pesticides have undergone significant changes over the last twenty years. The International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides, the Rotterdam Convention, the Stockholm Convention, the Basel Convention and the Montreal Protocol are only some of the binding and non-binding international instruments applicable to part or all of the life cycle of a pesticide. Specific guidelines for implementation are often available from the secretariat of the applicable international instrument, but comprehensive guidance is generally lacking. Governments need a clear picture of their international obligations as well as guidance on the accepted international consensus on the proper management of pesticides. Upgraded national legislation is needed to align national frameworks with international norms. This text aims to provide governments wishing to design, reform or update their national legislation with up-to-date advice on all aspects of pesticide management. Although the recommendations for national legislative change are designed to be useful to all countries, the text highlights the particular problems faced by developing countries and countries in transition, offering practical solutions to common problems. Also published in Spanish.

The objective of this guidance on fulfilling the reporting requirements of Article 12 of the Code of Conduct is to obtain a regular flow of information on its observance to strengthen implementation of the Code, to provide data for its future revisions and improvement, and, most importantly, to improve the protection of human health and the environment related to pesticide use and management in agriculture and public health. The guidance was prepared in compliance with the FAO/WHO International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management, which sets out a framework and voluntary standards of conduct for stakeholders in pesticide management, in particular governments and the pesticide industry. Endorsed by FAO, WHO, governments, pesticide producers, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders, the Code outlines their shared responsibility to promote best practice and risk reduction throughout the pesticide life cycle. The Code of Conduct thereby establishes the commitment and moral obligation of stakeholders to comply with the agreed standards of conduct and to assume their respective responsibilities. These include governments’ responsibility to promote pesticide risk reduction and the industry’s responsibility to produce products that are adapted to the context of their use and to provide stewardship of those products throughout their life cycle. This guidance was prepared with the support of the FAO/WHO Joint Meeting on Pesticide Management (JMPM) to provide further guidance on the provisions of the Code of Conduct related to its observance and implementation. It reflects the joint FAO/WHO approach to pesticide management, thus addressing the topic in both agricultural and public health settings.