Importing Fertilizers and Soil Amendments into Canada

All fertilizers and supplements imported into or sold in Canada must be registered with the CFIA unless they meet specific exemption criteria. Registration involves a pre-market assessment to evaluate product safety, efficacy, and labeling compliance. The process typically takes 1 year.

 

Exemptions from Registration

Certain products are exempt from registration, including:

  • Fertilizers that do not contain substances derived from living organisms, pesticides, or unregistered supplements.
  • Products listed in the List of Primary Fertilizer and Supplement Materials.
  • Customer-formula fertilizers prepared for specific clients.
  • Mixtures where all components are either registered or exempt, and used according to their approved directions.

It's important to note that micronutrient fertilizers generally require registration unless they meet specific exemption criteria.

 

Application Process

For products requiring registration:

  1. Create an account on My CFIA: This is the CFIA's online portal for managing service requests.
  2. Submit a comprehensive application, including:
    • Detailed product composition and manufacturing information.
    • Safety data and contaminant analysis.
    • Proposed labeling and usage directions.
  3. Await CFIA review: The CFIA evaluates the application to ensure compliance with safety and labeling standards.
  4. Registration validity: Once approved, registrations are valid for five years and must be renewed thereafter.

 

Special Considerations

  • Fertilizer-Pesticide Combinations: Products containing pesticides must comply with both the Fertilizers Act and the Pest Control Products Act. Such products typically require registration.
  • Waste-Derived Materials: Fertilizers made from by-products or waste materials (e.g., biosolids) are subject to stringent safety assessments and usually require registration.
  • Polymers: Products containing polymers, whether synthetic or natural, generally require registration due to potential environmental and health impacts.

 

Labeling Requirements

All fertilizers and supplements, whether registered or exempt, must adhere to CFIA labeling standards, which include

  • Product name and description.
  • Guaranteed analysis of nutrient content.
  • Directions for use.
  • Precautionary statements, if applicable.
  • Manufacturer or registrant contact information.

Labels must be bilingual (English and French) and free from misleading information.

 

IMPORTING FERTILIZER SAMPLES FOR TESTING AND RESEARCH

 

Research Exemption Eligibility

Fertilizers imported solely for experimental purposes may be exempt from registration and labeling requirements if they meet the following conditions:

  • No Supplements or Pesticides: The product must not contain any supplements or pesticides.
  • Safe Use: The fertilizer must be safe for human, animal, and plant health, as well as the environment.
  • Destruction of Residuals: All treated plant material and any residual product must be destroyed at the end of the trial to prevent entry into the commercial food or feed chains.

Research Authorization for Novel Supplements

If your fertilizer sample contains a supplement that is either unregistered or derived through biotechnology (i.e., a novel supplement), you must obtain a research authorization from the CFIA before importing or conducting any trials. This ensures the environmental release of the novel supplement is safe and prescribes conditions for its use, handling, and disposal.

 

Import Permit Requirements

Depending on the nature of the fertilizer sample, you may need an import permit from the CFIA. To determine if a permit is required, consult the CFIA's Automated Import Reference System (AIRS), which provides detailed import requirements based on the product's specifics.

 

Application Process

To import a fertilizer sample for research:

  • Create a My CFIA Account: Register through the My CFIA portal to manage your service requests.
  • Submit a Research Authorization Application: Provide detailed information about the product, including its composition, intended use, trial design, and safety data.
  • Await CFIA Review and Approval: The CFIA will assess your application to ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

 

Compliance and Record-Keeping

During the research trial, you must:

  • Adhere to all conditions specified in the research authorization.
  • Ensure proper confinement and disposal of the product and any treated materials.
  • Maintain detailed records of the trial, including methodologies, results, and any incidents.