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T-4- 129 – Requirements for micronutrient fertilizers

The 3 year regulatory transition period (October 26, 2020 to October 26, 2023) has now ended. As a result, regulated parties, including all manufacturers, importers, distributors and sellers of fertilizers and supplements must adhere to the amended Fertilizers Regulations. There are few notable exceptions for some product categories. Learn more about the implementation of the amended Fertilizers Regulations.

1. Purpose

micronutrients means boron, chlorine, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum or zinc;

micronutrient fertilizer means a fertilizer that is represented to contain a micronutrient;

The purpose of this document is to outline registration and labelling requirements for micronutrient fertilizers regulated under the Fertilizers Act.

2. Micronutrient registration

Micronutrient fertilizers, as defined in the Fertilizers Regulations, require registration and pre-market assessment prior to importation and sale in Canada. This applies to micronutrients mixed with other plant nutrients (for example, N, P and K) and those sold alone, irrespective of end use pattern (household plants, urban gardens, lawns or golf courses, nurseries, greenhouses or farm uses).

Mixtures containing micronutrients are exempt from registration only if:

Note that:

3. Standards

All micronutrient fertilizers must adhere to the standards outlined in Trade memorandum T-4-93 with respect to the product's content, compositional criteria, contaminant levels and upper tolerances around the level of micronutrient(s) guaranteed on the label.

4. Registration application and labelling requirements

For guidance on registration requirements (information and data requirements, submission content and layout and associated fees) please consult the Guide to Submitting Applications for Registration under the Fertilizers Act. General labelling requirements which also apply to micronutrient fertilizers are provided in Trade Memorandum T-4-130 – Labeling requirements for fertilizers and supplements.

Specific labelling requirements apply to micronutrient mixtures and combination products. These products must either be:

For additional information on the record keeping requirements applicable to mixtures of registered or exempt fertilizer and supplement products please consult Trade Memorandum T-4-131 – Record keeping requirements under the Fertilizers Act and Regulations.

5. Contact information

Fertilizer Safety Section
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Phone: 1-855-212-7695
Email: cfia.paso-bpdpm.acia@inspection.gc.ca

Appendix 1 – Possible fertilizer and supplement mixtures and their registration requirements
Unregistered micronutrient(s) Registered fertilizer(s) and/or supplement(s)

Directions for use consistent with proposed use of the mixture
Registered fertilizer(s) and/or supplement(s)

Directions for use Not consistent with proposed use of the mixture
Exempt material(s)
Unregistered micronutrient(s)

Each micronutrient requires registration

or

The final mixture requires registration

Unregistered micronutrient requires registration

or

The final mixture requires registration

Unregistered micronutrient requires registration
and
Registration needs amendment to include the proposed use of the mixture

or

The final mixture requires registration

Unregistered micronutrient(s) requires registration

or

The final mixture requires registration

Registered fertilizer(s) and/or supplement(s)

Directions for use consistent with proposed use of the mixture

Final mixture requires registration

or

Unregistered micronutrient requires registration

Mixture exempt from registration

Final mixture requires registration

or

Registration needs amendment to include the proposed use of the mixture

Mixture exempt from registration
Registered fertilizer(s) and/or supplement(s)

Directions for use Not consistent with proposed use of the mixture

Final mixture requires registration

or

Unregistered micronutrient requires registration
and
Registration needs amendment to include the proposed use of the mixture

Final mixture requires registration

or

Registration needs amendment to include the proposed use of the mixture

Final mixture requires registration

or

Registrations each need amendments to include the proposed use of the mixture

Final mixture requires registration

or

Registration needs amendment to include the proposed use of the mixture

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