Reevaluation Decision RVD2024-05, Sodium Chloride and Related End Products

Pest Management Regulatory Agency
May 27, 2024
ISSN: 1925-1025 (PDF version)
Catalog number: H113-28/2024-5E-PDF (PDF version)

summary

Digital Products table of contents

• Decision to reevaluate sodium chloride and related end products
• Decision to reassess sodium chloride
• Risk mitigation measures
• Making a reassessment decision
• Next steps
• Other information
• Appendix I Products containing sodium chloride registered in Canada

Decision to reevaluate sodium chloride and related end products

Under the authority of Pest Control Products Act, All registered pesticides must be reevaluated by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) to ensure they meet current health and environmental standards and remain worthwhile. The review takes into account data and information from pesticide manufacturers, published scientific reports, other regulatory agencies, and comments received at public consultations. Health Canada applies internationally recognized risk assessment methodologies and current risk management approaches and policies.

This document (Reevaluation Decision RVD2024-05, Sodium chloride and related end products) will announce its final reassessment decision^{footnote 1} The report on the reevaluation of sodium chloride includes a response to one comment received and necessary label updates. Pest Control Products Act In Canada, this is subject to a reassessment decision.

Sodium chloride is a post-emergence herbicide. When applied, it causes rapid water loss from the leaf cells of target plants, accelerating the desiccation of plant tissue. Related products are applied directly to control weeds in non-cultivated areas such as roadsides, highways, sidewalks, vacant lots, industrial sites, parks, playgrounds, bike paths, driveways, residential areas, sidewalks, walkways, and rights-of-way. They are registered products for commercial and household use.

Currently registered industrial grade active ingredients and finished products containing sodium chloride are: Pesticide product information database and Appendix I. Proposed Reevaluation Decision PRVD2023-03; Sodium chloride and related end products^{footnote 2} The proposal, which included an evaluation and proposed decision on sodium chloride, underwent a 90-day consultation period ending September 24, 2023. PRVD2023-03 proposed to update the label instructions and precautions to reflect current labeling standards and improve clarity, and to continue registration of sodium chloride products in Canada (Appendix IV to RVD2024-05).

Health Canada received one comment during the public consultation. This comment did not result in any amendments or changes to the proposed reassessment decision set out in PRVD2023-03. A reference list of information used as the basis for the proposed reassessment decision is included in PRVD2023-03.

Decision to reassess sodium chloride

Health Canada has completed a reevaluation of sodium chloride. Pest Control Products ActHealth Canada has determined that the continued registration of products containing sodium chloride is acceptable. After evaluating the available scientific information, Health Canada has determined that the use of sodium chloride products, when used in accordance with the revised registration conditions, including label modifications, meets current standards for protecting human health and the environment and provides acceptable values.

Risk mitigation measures

The labeling of registered pesticide products contains specific directions for use. The directions for use include risk mitigation measures to protect human health and the environment and must be followed by law. The updated label statements required as a result of the reevaluation of Sodium Chloride are summarized below. For more information, see Appendix IV of RVD2024-05.

Improving the label to meet current standards – Human Health

• Add standard personal protective equipment to all commercial class product labels.
• Added best practice statements to avoid potential drift.

Improving the label to meet current standards – Environment

• Update environmental precautions, usage, storage and disposal instructions to current standards.
• Update the buffer zone table for clarity.

Making a reassessment decision

Regulatory Directive DIR2018-01, Cancellation and Change Policy After Reevaluation and Special Review It provides a general timeline for the implementation of post-marketing decisions. If it is determined that an amendment to the registration is necessary, such as the need for additional risk mitigation measures, there will be an implementation period of up to two years from the date of the decision to transition to the sale and use of the product with the new amended label, if the risks during this period are determined to be acceptable. Potential risks (human health and the environment) from the use of products containing sodium chloride are determined to be acceptable during the implementation period under the current label use conditions. Therefore, any required label updates will be implemented within 24 months after issuance of the reevaluation decision document.

Next steps

To comply with this decision, all product labels must undergo the necessary amendments (label updates) within 24 months from the date of publication of this decision document. Thus, both registrants and retailers must transition to selling their products with the new amended labels within a maximum of 24 months from the date of this decision document. Similarly, users must transition to using the new amended labels within 24 months from the date of this decision document. This label must be Public Registry.

refer Appendix I For more information on the specific products affected by this decision, please click here.

Other information

Anyone can file an appeal^{footnote 3} You may appeal this decision regarding sodium chloride and related end products within 60 days from the publication date of this reevaluation decision. For more information on the basis of your appeal, which must be based on scientific evidence, please see Pesticides and Pest Management Section of the Canada.ca website (Public Engagement Portal – Public Engagement Portal Form – Counter Notice) or contact the PMRA Pest Management Information Service .

The confidential relevant test data on which the decision was based (referenced in PRVD2023‑03) will be made available to the public upon application in the PMRA reading room. For more information, please contact the Pest Management Information Service.

Appendix I Products containing sodium chloride registered in Canada

Digital Products footnote