Canada
The Canadian voluntary 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program certifies nutrient service providers across Ontario, that apply or make recommendations on fertilizers in accordance with 4R Nutrient Stewardship principles (Right Source @ Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place). Program participants must go through an independent, third-party audit of a set of standards to demonstrate they not only understand 4R principles, but also follow them.
The 4R Certification program was first brought to Canada through implementation of the program in Ontario in close collaboration with the Nutrient Stewardship Council, the Ohio AgriBusiness Association and The Fertilizer Institute in the U.S. to ensure alignment between cross-border efforts.
The 4R Certification Program is funded and guided under a 4R Ontario Steering Committee comprised of a diverse set of stakeholders from industry, government, conservation authorities and grower organizations including Fertilizer Canada, the Ontario Agri Business Association (OABA), Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO), the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) and the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO), Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (OMECP) and Conservation Ontario.
This program is administered by Fertilizer Canada. To learn more about 4R Certification or to schedule an audit in Canada, visit or contact McKenzie Smith at msmith@fertilizercanda.ca