OIPMA - IPM

Company IPM Accreditation is formal verification of a company's updated compliance with Regulation 63/09 and its predecessor, Regulation 914, set out in a tripartite Pesticide Technician Program Memorandum of Understanding (April 28, 1999) and last amended as of December 20, 2005. Two industry councils are officially recognized as the commercial industry's streamlined representatives, and work closely in cooperation with the MOE in this regard. They are the Pesticide Industry Regulatory Council (PIRC), administered by OIPMA, and PIC administered by LO. The two councils have historically on record supported a voluntary IPM Accreditation program. (Ref: PIRC Archive files February 7, 1997) Although these two industry councils have major philosophical differences, MOE recognized that both Councils under the leadership of their largest member are committed to the same educational goals. Their philosophical approach and delivery of education alone substantially differentiates them, with both parties having a staunch commitment to deliver enhanced industry professionalism.

Participating in the PTP is the first important step to Company IPM Accreditation. The MOE has historically recognized that operators and applicators who belong to professional organizations are IPM committed. The Pesticide Technician Program (PTP) Training Manual on page 2 confirms our IPM commitment in these relevant words: "Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a process where all method of pest control are considered in order to control the pest. It may involve monitoring, educational programs, sanitation, house keeping, biological control or even the use of pesticides. If pesticides are used, only the least toxic and effective are considered. Proper IPM practices will greatly reduce the need for pesticide use."

The company's accredited PTP examiner and IPM agent registered on the PIRC database is responsible to ensure that the Regulatory requirements prescribed in Regulation 63/09 and the new Pest Control Product Act are known and followed at his or her place of employment. The PIRC database records the company member, its named accredited Examiner and IPM agent, supervising Exterminators, Trainees and Technicians. This information is available online and subject to MOE third party monitoring and auditing. The PTP is overseen by the Ministry's established Pesticides Technician Advisory Committee (PTAC). This first IPM Accreditation step will ensure that your company is in compliance with the Pesticides Act.

The PIRC / IPM-EHC Council of Ontario affiliated membership promotes the Health Canada Action Plan for Urban Use Pesticides to reduce consumer reliance on pesticides through enhanced awareness of:

Cultural IPM practices that promote optimum ecological Environmental Health Care for plants
Sustainable pest prevention IPM practices
Application of pesticides as required and only when necessary
Promoting least risk pesticide products to clients

Our members are committed to professional development in a cost effective manner that is not too onerous for small business nor costs the earth. PIRC and the IPM-EHC Council conducts and provides small business employers affiliated with the OIPMA various processes through educational participation, (i.e.,distance education, home study, online open workshops, and attendance to maintain their company IPM Accreditation status. Study materials are developed and or recommended by the PIRC and IPM-EHC Council. Materials will vary by sector i.e. Lawn care, Structural, Golf Courses, Forestry, Agriculture, etc. Training programs are delivered in a variety of methods via PIRC / OIPMA / IPM-EHC Council.

All OIPMA member companies have an accredited PTP examiner and IPM agent registered on the PIRC database. This person annually submits PIRC IPM-EHC Council requested IPM marketing materials, IPM training reports, IPM pesticide usage reports, and must obtain eight (8) continuing education credits (CEC'S) to maintain Company IPM accreditation. The company PTP examiner and IPM agent will normally achieve his or her CEC's by participating in OIPMA provided distance education home study, online open learning workshops, or participating in other voluntary IPM re-certification and IPM Technology updating programs with CEC's recorded annually on the PIRC database. OIPMA members may also optionally take an examination. We accept CEC's taken by our members from their other trade associations.This is in keeping with PIRC and PIC 1996-1997 MOE discussions. Promoting IPM programs and options in your community will go a long way to ensure responsible pesticide use in meeting our joint goals that will best protect the environment, our clients, their children and pets from adverse pest infestations. We will continue to recognize that responsible professional applicators, which includes Lawn Care Operators (LCO's), have practiced and promoted IPM for over two decades. It is a fact that IPM has been our small business members way of life for over two decades and our MOE examination study materials and industry materials confirm this.

Important 2007 IPM Accreditation Documents, Reports and Training Aids (Brief Explanations in Layperson English)

1.	Background of Company IPM Accreditation
2	Moving Forward - Company IPM Accreditation
3.	Enhanced Retail Vendor Regulations Are Long Past Due
4.	IPM Accreditation In Brief
5.	IPM Accreditation Process
6.	Frequently Asked Questions
7	OIPMA PTP Examiner and IPM Agent Code of Ethics sets out the IPM responsibilities of the PTP examiner and IPM agent on PIRC database.
8.	IPM-EHC Code of Conduct sets out the IPM responsibilities of the IPM Accredited Company, PTP examiner and IPM agent on PIRC database
9.	PIRC / IPM-EHC Desktop Marketing Audit Form Reviews / evaluates your company IPM marketing and consumer educational materials.
10.	PIRC / IPM-EHC Desktop Training Audit Form (Land Sector) Reviews / evaluates the company's updated employees training activities.
11.	PIRC / IPM-EHC Annual Pesticide Reduction Audit Form (Land Sector) Reviews / evaluates the company's pesticide reduction from the label .

The PIRC and the IPM-EHC Council will review and evaluate to what degree the company practices the principles of IPM (Cultural, Pest Identifications, Monitoring, Treatments, Prevention Controls, etc).

An IPM Accreditation Certificate is annually mailed out to members In good standing. We post members IPM status on the IPM Registry located at this web site. Please call regarding any errors.

We're here as your trade organization, industry council, and educational resource to assist you to enhance professionalism without costing the earth under government agreement with the MOE.