Over the past decade, the term "cosmetic use" has been frequently associated with the application of lawn care pesticides. This term implies that pesticides are being used for aesthetic purposes only.

The Pest Control Products Act requires that each pesticide, for which a registration application is submitted, be evaluated to determine its acceptability for registration for the proposed uses. Where evaluation of the scientific data supporting the application determines that the risks and value of the product are acceptable when the product is used as intended, in accordance with the label directions, the product must be registered. If any of the health or environmental risks or value is determined to be unacceptable, registration of the product, or of any unacceptable use, must be refused.

Accordingly, the Pest Management Regulatory Agency registers only those products that provide effective management of pest problems and are determined to be safe when used according to label directions.

Information on how the PMRA conducts health evaluations, environmental risk assessments and value assessments on proposed pesticide products is in the PMRA Overview Document .