About Cosmetics in Canada
We won’t know how to unless you share with us and as soon as you do, we can certainly assist you, help you comply and market your product stress free.
Under the Food and Drugs Act, a cosmetic includes “any substance or mixture of substances, manufactured, sold or represented for use in cleansing, improving or altering the complexion, skin, hair or teeth and includes deodorants and perfumes.” The definition also includes cosmetics used by professional esthetic services, bulk institutional products (such as hand soap in school rest rooms), as well as “handmade” cosmetics sold at craft sales or home-based businesses.
The Cosmetic Regulations and the Food and Drugs Act require that cosmetics sold in Canada be manufactured, prepared, preserved, packed and stored under sanitary conditions. Additionally, cosmetics are subject to the requirements of the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and Regulations and any chemicals found in cosmetics may be subject to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.
The manufacturer and importer must notify Health Canada that it is selling the product and provide a list of the product’s ingredients.
Consumer Packaging and Labeling Act
Cosmetics are subject to the requirements of the Consumer Packaging and Labeling Act and Regulations. Any chemicals found in cosmetics may be subject to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Therefore, any cosmetic sold in Canada must have a notification submitted to Health Canada to determine if they do not contain ingredients on the Ingredient Hotlist. We will review your ingredients and quantities in your product and then prepare and submit a cosmetic notification for you. If your product is making claims and needs an NPN, we will apply for an NPN for you as well.
Sunscreens – a different kind of cosmetics?
Two options are available in Canada depending on the ingredients present in the sunscreen. Your sunscreen can be classified either as a NHP or a drug. At formulation decide which you would like your product to be. A monograph is available for preparing both an NHP or a drug sunscreen depending on their ingredients. If your sunscreen contains Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide or PABA, it is considered NHP and requires a natural product number (NPN). If the sunscreen contains one of the ingredients listed on the Monograph as a drug, then it requires a drug identification number (DIN).
We can help you complete your Cosmetic Notification Form (CNF).
We are available to assist you to register your sunscreen either as a Drug or NHP.
Cosmetic Regulatory Consulting Services in Canada
Selling cosmetics in Canada requires notification and compliance steps many brands overlook until problems arise. Global NHP Consulting offers dependable cosmetic regulatory consulting guidance in Canada, helping manufacturers and importers meet Health Canada requirements before products reach store shelves. Our team simplifies notification, ingredient review and labelling into a manageable process.
Every cosmetic sold in Canada needs proper notification within strict timelines after first sale. Missing this step exposes your business to enforcement action and potential product removal. Our specialists handle requirements for cosmetic product registration in Canada directly, reviewing formulations against restricted and prohibited ingredient lists so your product launches without unexpected regulatory setbacks.
Knowing Canada's Cosmetic Notification Requirements
Cosmetic regulation in Canada differs considerably from other markets, and many companies underestimate the notification deadline following first sale. Ingredients also face restrictions unfamiliar to brands accustomed to different regulatory systems abroad. Our consultants review your complete ingredient list against Health Canada’s Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist, correcting problematic components before they trigger enforcement. Completing an accurate cosmetic notification form that authorities in Canada accept requires precise formulation details and proper classification. We prepare and submit this documentation correctly the first time, preventing rejected notifications that delay your product launch.
Guidance Covering Every Formulation Detail
Confident Launches without Regulatory Surprises
Cosmetic brands often discover compliance issues only after receiving a warning letter, creating unnecessary stress and lost sales momentum. Our team reviews your formulation and labelling proactively, catching problems while there’s still time to adjust. We handle notification submissions accurately, keeping documentation organized should Health Canada request additional information later. Clients trust our attention to detail, knowing their products meet requirements before ever reaching Canadian consumers.
What Our Cosmetic Support Covers
Our Service Categories
Ingredient Review
We screen formulations against restricted and prohibited substance lists, identifying problematic ingredients early so reformulation happens before production rather than after launch.
Notification Filing
Our specialists prepare and submit notification forms accurately within required timelines, preventing enforcement action triggered by missed deadlines or incomplete documentation.
Label Compliance
We verify bilingual labelling, ingredient declarations and claims meet current standards, protecting your brand from warnings while building lasting consumer confidence and trust.
Consultants Who Simplify Cosmetic Compliance
Cosmetic regulations shift periodically, and staying current demands more attention than most brands can spare internally. Our consultants track these changes closely, applying updated requirements to every client formulation we review. We also support businesses expanding into food products, including companies needing a food compliance consultant in Canada alongside cosmetic work. Our practical approach helps identify compliance concerns early, allowing you to address them before they become costly issues. With reliable regulatory guidance, your team can move forward with greater clarity throughout the product lifecycle. Partner with Global NHP Consulting for professional regulatory guidance that helps your cosmetic products meet Canadian requirements with confidence.
How We Support Your Cosmetic Launch
A Simple Path Toward Full Compliance
Our process reviews your formulation, prepares documentation and files notifications systematically, giving your brand a compliant foundation before products ever reach Canadian consumers.
