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Biocides Regulations

The Biocides Regulations came into force on May 31, 2025. A product meeting the biocide definition generally requires a market authorization before it can be imported, sold or advertised in Canada. Health Canada publishes full-review, novel, monograph, comparison and foreign-decision application pathways.

Pest Control Products Act

Water and air sanitizers, many plant-pathogen and agricultural pest claims, material preservatives and other pest-control uses can remain within the federal pest-control framework. The Pesticide Product Information Database is the public starting point for product and label searches.

Food, veterinary and medical-device boundaries

Products used exclusively on the surface of food are outside the core Biocides Regulations scope. Products used on animals may involve veterinary drug or pest-control requirements. High-level disinfectants and sterilants for invasive or indirectly invasive medical devices, and products for contact lenses, follow medical-device requirements.

Provincial occupational health, environmental, waste, transportation and sector rules may apply in addition to the federal product authorization.

The transition period matters

Previously authorized disinfectants and registered surface sanitizers may move through transition provisions between May 31, 2025 and May 31, 2031. Product identity, status and permitted timing should be checked against current Health Canada guidance rather than assumed from an older label format.