Fertilizer or supplement registration: Amending and renewing

Amending

Minor amendments

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) reserves minor amendments for changes in either:

• the name or address of the registrant
• the product name

Applicants can make minor amendments at the time of registration renewal at no added cost.

The minor amendment fee is only applicable if an applicant wishes to make amendments to a product between registration periods.

The processing of a minor amendment in between registration periods doesn't extend the length of the product registration.

Review the checklist for minor amendments to learn more about the requirements for applying for a minor amendment.

Major amendments

Major amendments are required for all changes that could reasonably be expected to affect the performance of a product as a fertilizer or supplement, its safety or use, other than what is permitted under a minor amendment.

The CFIA usually requires a safety review to approve a major amendment. As a result, the CFIA will typically charge the safety review fee for these applications.

The CFIA will charge the major amendment fee rather than the renewal fee for major amendments made at the time of re-registration. The CFIA will also typically apply the safety assessment fee.

When CFIA officials grant a major amendment, the CFIA will also extend the expiry date for the product's registration. The product registration will extend 60 months from the amendment approval date.

To learn more about applying for a major amendment review the:

• checklist for major amendments
• how to apply section

Ingredient Source Change Inquiry (ISCI)

Applicants may wish to change the source of an ingredient in their product (not the ingredient itself), but may be uncertain if that change could affect product safety. In such cases, applicants can submit an inquiry to the CFIA that details the proposed change and ask for guidance.

The CFIA processes these requests free of charge and in accordance with a service delivery standard of 30 days. The outcome of the ISCI review may either be:

• approval of the ISCI without further review
• request for major amendment

Approval of the ISCI without further review

The CFIA will grant the change in source ingredient(s) if:

• the change doesn't pose any concerns with respect to the safety of the final fertilizer or supplement product

Note: the CFIA will add a note to the product file indicating that the new source has been reviewed and accepted.

Request for major amendment

If the changes in source of ingredients may impact the safety or identity of the fertilizer or supplement product:

• an applicant must apply for an amendment before implementing the change in source
• the CFIA will conduct a detailed review to approve the change in source

Renewal/re-registration

You must re-register your registered products every 5 years to continue to legally sell and/or import them into Canada.

Evaluators review applications for re-registration to verify that products remain compliant with the requirements of the Fertilizers Act and regulations.

Applicants may need to submit more safety data if either:

• an applicant makes changes to the constituent materials, their sources, manufacturing methods or directions for use
• due to emerging safety risks, the CFIA asks for added information/data as new scientific information or sources of concern arise

The CFIA only charges safety fees for applications for re-registration when the applicant makes substantive changes to the product formulation. At the first response, an evaluator will determine if the changes trigger a safety assessment.

To learn more about applying for re-registration review the:

• checklist for new registrations and re-registrations
• how to apply section