Steps to Comply with Cosmetic Regulations Canada
Step 1 Ensure Ingredients and Label Compliance
The first step in bringing a cosmetic to Canada is to ensure all ingredients are permitted under Canadian law. Health Canada maintains a Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist, which restricts or prohibits certain substances. Your formulation must be carefully screened against this list.
Labeling is also a key part of compliance. All cosmetic labels in Canada must include mandatory information such as:
- product identity,
- net contents,
- the full list of ingredients using INCI names,
- the manufacturer or distributor's name and address.
Crucially, all of this information must appear in both English and French, even for small packaging. Brands selling in Quebec must also comply with Bill 96, which requires additional French language use across marketing and online platforms.
Product claims must be handled carefully. Claims that imply a health benefit may shift your product into drug or NHP classification. We help you word your claims clearly, accurately, and within the scope of cosmetic regulation.
Step 2. CNF Registration: Mandatory for All Cosmetics
Before any cosmetic product can be legally sold in Canada, a Cosmetic Notification Form (CNF) must be submitted to Health Canada, the authority responsible for regulating a wide range of consumer products, including cosmetics and personal care items.
At Cosmereg, we take care of the entire notification process on your behalf. Our regulatory team compiles and submits the required product dossier, which includes the full INCI ingredient list along with each ingredient’s percentage range, product function, and manufacturer/distributor details. Once submitted, Health Canada issues a temporary notification number, which allows you to begin selling your product on the Canadian market while the review is in progress.
Health Canada may follow up with questions or requests for clarification regarding your formulation or labeling. As your appointed Canada Responsible Person, Cosmereg acts as your direct regulatory contact. We handle all communications with Health Canada, ensuring that responses are prompt and accurate, and that your compliance status remains in good standing.
In most cases, Health Canada’s review is completed within two to six months, although no formal approval or certificate is issued. The notification is a legal obligation—not a pre-market approval—but it must be kept on record and may be reviewed at any time.
Step 3. Appointing a Canada Responsible Person
While Canada does not have an official “Responsible Person” role like in the EU, it is strongly recommended, especially for foreign brands to appoint a local Canada Responsible Person (RP) or regulatory representative.
This individual or company acts as your local point of contact and is responsible for:
Submitting CNFs on your behalf : As your Canadian Responsible Person, Cosmereg handles the entire Cosmetic Notification Form (CNF) process on your behalf. We collect and verify all required product information—including INCI ingredient listings, product functions, and manufacturer details—and ensure timely submission to Health Canada. We also manage the lifecycle of product notifications, keeping records organized and up to date if formulas or labeling details change over time.
Ensuring ongoing compliance with Health Canada regulations: Health Canada may request access to supporting documentation for any cosmetic product placed on the market. Cosmereg helps you meet this requirement by maintaining comprehensive compliance records, including ingredient assessments, safety data, Hotlist checks, and finalized labels. These documents are securely stored and accessible in case of audits, inspections, or regulatory queries.
Responding to regulatory inquiries or inspections: If Health Canada raises concerns about a cosmetic product after it enters the market—such as due to a complaint, adverse reaction, or label review—Cosmereg acts quickly. We assist with the investigation, coordinate product recalls or corrective actions if necessary, and help you respond effectively during inspections or enforcement situations, protecting your brand’s reputation and ensuring legal compliance.
Having a Canada Responsible Person not only simplifies communication with Health Canada, but also demonstrates regulatory accountability and builds trust with Canadian distributors and retailers.
