Classes of Pesticides

Any pesticide sold in Canada must be registered by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA). When a pesticide is registered it is given a Pest Control Products Act number (or PCP number) that is unique to that product.

Registered pesticides are also assigned to a ‘class’, depending upon the toxicity and intended use of the product. In Prince Edward Island, we often refer to two classes of pesticides.

What is a Domestic Class Pesticide?

Domestic class pesticides are sold for home use. These are packaged in small containers. They are intended for a single application or a single use season. Domestic class pesticides pose little risk to users or the environment, if label directions are followed.

What is a Non-Domestic Class Pesticide?

Non-domestic class pesticides is a term used to refer to all other pesticide classes except the domestic class. It includes commercial class, restricted class, and manufacturing class pesticides.

Commercial class pesticides are used in agriculture, forestry, industry, or other commercial operations. Active ingredients may be the same as those of domestic class pesticides, but they are more concentrated. Commercial class products can pose a greater risk because of their higher concentration of active ingredient(s) or the size of the container. 

Restricted class pesticides have restriction on their sale and use. 

Manufacturing class pesticides are used in manufacturing, formulating, or repackaging other products. They are not available to the general public.

Individuals who wish to apply a Non-domestic class pesticide must demonstrate knowledge of safe handling, application, transport, storage procedures, and proper use of personal protective equipment. They do this by successfully completing a written exam.