Updated September 15, 2026
The Fertilizers Regulations were amended on October 26, 2020. While reducing overall burden on industry, the changes introduced new requirements for some sectors to transition to (such as the need for bilingual labels to satisfy the requirements of the Official Languages Act). We have taken a phased approach to achieving compliance with the amended regulations.
In recognition of ongoing dialogue with the bulk fertilizer sector, as of March 19, 2026, we have further extended the compliance promotion period for bulk fertilizers until July 31, 2027. This extension allows additional time for discussion with industry on developing a path to compliant labelling.
We are committed to providing Canadian farmers with access to safe fertilizers needed to grow crops that feed Canadians and help drive Canada's economy. At the same time, we are committed to keeping any extra costs or burden on the sector as low as possible. We will continue exploring opportunities for further burden reduction in support of an innovative and competitive fertilizer industry in Canada.
We are engaging with service providers and sector members to further develop and evaluate alternative approaches to delivering safety information needed by end-users in the official language of their choice. This work is being supported through an active stakeholder working group focused on evaluating alternative delivery options for meeting bulk fertilizer labelling requirements.
In the interim, CFIA inspectors will continue to verify compliance using the Fertilizers Regulations (updated in 2020). In cases where label non-compliances do not impact the safe use of a bulk fertilizer product, inspectors will notify the responsible, regulated party.
If a serious safety issue is identified, we will act immediately to protect consumers and the environment.
Points of clarification
Over the course of discussions with the sector, we have become aware of certain misconceptions related to the 2020 updates to the Fertilizers Regulations. We are providing some clarifications to address these common misconceptions.
Bulk fertilizers
The Fertilizers Regulations do not contain the concept of "bulk fertilizers". Instead, custom fertilizer blends that are prepared on-demand in response to a request from a grower are called "customer formula fertilizers" (CFF). They also continue to have reduced labelling requirements in comparison to fertilizer products that are sold on retail shelves.
Requirement for labels on bulk fertilizers
The updates to the Fertilizers Regulations did not add extensive new labelling requirements for customer‑formula fertilizers. The requirement for a label remains the same: every fertilizer must have a label or be accompanied by one. A label or similar document has been required to accompany a fertilizer product as long as Canada has regulated fertilizers and this is consistent with international practices.
A shipping bill or similar document that accompanies a fertilizer (and includes the information required by the regulations), continues to meet the definition of a "label" under the Fertilizers Act. We do not require that all mandatory label information appear on a single page or impose a specific format. We also accept safety and handling information that is already routinely generated to meet requirements under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act as meeting certain safety labelling requirements under the Fertilizers Regulations. This information does not need to be duplicated on a separate document to meet our requirements.
Requirement for precautionary statements
Fertilizers have always had to include labels with the information needed for safe use and handling. The updates clarified the wording but did not introduce a new requirement.
Bilingual labels
The key regulatory change that affects bulk customer formula fertilizers is the requirement that all fertilizer labels be provided in both official languages. The former regulations allowed for labels to be in English, French or both languages, but the requirement for bilingual labelling was necessary to satisfy requirements of the Official Languages Act.
Lot numbers
The updated regulations also include a requirement for a lot number for customer formula fertilizers to enable traceback if harmful contaminants are found in a fertilizer product. However, existing practices (such as internal tracking and the use of invoice numbers on shipping bills) have already been recognized by us as meeting this requirement – imposing no new burden.
Contact us if you have questions or need more information:
Fertilizer Safety Section
c/o Pre-market Application Submissions Office (PASO)
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Phone: 1-855-212-7695
Email: cfia.paso-bpdpm.acia@inspection.gc.ca