Fertilizer or supplement registration: After you apply

Pre-screening

First response

The first response is a non-technical scan after the submission has entered the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) file tracking system. During this step, the CFIA verifies that the applicant has included all of the mandatory information in their submission.

This scan does not evaluate the quality of the information submitted. Safety reviews don't begin until an application reaches the first review stage.

First response letter

The CFIA will outline any deficiencies identified during this step for the applicant via a first response letter (electronic notification within My CFIA).

The applicant must respond within 30 days, addressing the deficiencies. The CFIA will close the application and will refund the associated safety fees; the CFIA won't refund application fees, if either:

• an applicant's response doesn't fully address each deficiency
• the CFIA doesn't receive an applicant's response by the stated deadline

If no outstanding information requirements exist, the CFIA will:

• enter the application into the first review queue
• inform the applicant that their application is in the queue
• send the applicant the deadline (calendar date) for the CFIA's first review

Technical review of applications for permissions

During the technical review stages, evaluators review the information in the submission against the requirements of the Fertilizers Act and regulations and associated policies. Evaluators also deal with all administrative requirements during the technical review.

The application review (both for label compliance and safety) is divided into 3 possible iterative reviews (not all of which are mandatory):

• first review
• second review
• third review

Results of the first or second review

The CFIA may:

• register the product under the Fertilizers Act
• send the applicant an electronic notification within My CFIA detailing deficiencies, identifying any missing information or necessary label changes
• deny the application if the CFIA identifies safety issues that could not be addressed without substantive changes to the product

The applicant must respond by the stated deadline and adequately address each deficiency in their response.

If the CFIA receives all the requested information on or before the stated deadline, evaluators will move the application into the next review queue.

If the response is incomplete or the CFIA receives the response after the stated deadline, the CFIA will:

• close (deny) the application
• not refund fees

Results of the third review

Once the third review is complete, if the applicant hasn't adequately addressed all of the questions or deficiencies, the CFIA will close the application.

If the applicant addresses the requirements identified in the second review letter (electronic notification within My CFIA), the CFIA will register the product.

Marketplace monitoring

All products regulated under the Fertilizers Act and regulations are subject to marketplace monitoring.

Marketplace monitoring includes:

• product inspections
• sampling
• testing
• label verification

Non-compliant products may be subject to regulatory action. Regulatory action can include product detention (stop sale) and in cases of serious or repeated non-compliance, prosecution.