"Pharmaplast began to work with CE.way almost one year ago. CE.way is our cosmetics consultant who look after compilation of PIF, safety assessments and CPNP notifications. Working with CE.way has been a joy so far. Their replies are very swift and Mr Tadej is very cooperative, helpful and with a deep knowledge about the cosmetics regulations."
Health Canada regulations
Canada Cosmetic Regulations
Navigate Canadian cosmetic regulations with confidence — from CNF notification to Canadian Responsible Person services.
Health CanadaFood and Drugs ActCosmetic RegulationsConsumer Packaging Act
Canada · Health Canada
CE.way helps cosmetic brands comply with Canada cosmetic regulations, including product notification requirements, bilingual labelling rules, ingredient restrictions under the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist, safety substantiation, and Canadian Responsible Person obligations — under one roof.
15 years
of experience
40+ countries
client base
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Trustpilot rating
Requirements overview
What do you need for Canada?
A summary of the key requirements before placing cosmetic products on the Canadian market.
01
Safety Substantiation
Products must not pose a risk when used as intended. Safety must be determined by the manufacturer — no specific method is prescribed by law.
02
Ingredient Hotlist Compliance
All intentionally used ingredients must comply with the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist — no prohibited or restricted substances above permitted limits.
03
Labelling Compliance
Labels must meet the Food and Drugs Act, Cosmetic Regulations, Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act — including bilingual (French) text.
04
CNF Notification
All products must be notified to Health Canada via the Cosmetic Notification Form within 10 days of first sale — no pre-market approval is required.
Our services
How we can help
A full range of regulatory services tailored for the Canadian cosmetic market.
01
Product Classification
Determine whether your product is classified as a cosmetic, drug, or natural health product under Canadian law.
02
Formula Review
Ingredient-by-ingredient review against the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist and Health Canada regulations.
03
Labelling Review
Full compliance check against the Food and Drugs Act, Cosmetics Regulations, and Consumer Packaging Act.
04
French Label Translation
Professional translation of required label elements into French, including bilingual formatting guidance.
05
Toxicological Risk Assessment
Safety substantiation report prepared by certified experts to support product safety compliance.
06
CNF Preparation & Submission
Preparation and filing of the Cosmetic Notification Form to Health Canada within the 10-day window.
07
Canadian Responsible Person
We act as your Canadian-based Representative, serving as the official contact point with Health Canada.
Regulatory Expert · Canada
Book a call Tjaša Grum
EU, UK, USA & Canada Regulatory Consultant and Safety Assessor
LinkedInRegulatory framework
Applicable legislation
Regulatory framework
Applicable legislation
Cosmetics sold in Canada are regulated by Health Canada, which monitors production and distribution in several sectors. Cosmetic products placed on the Canadian market must comply with the Food and Drugs Act, with the Cosmetic Regulations as well as the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act.
Product scope
What type of products are cosmetics?
Product scope
What type of products are cosmetics?
The Food and Drugs Act provides a definition of a cosmetic product in Canada. Cosmetic products include "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". This includes cosmetics used by professional aesthetic services, bulk-bought institutional products (for example, hand soap in schools) and handmade cosmetics sold at craft sales or from home-based businesses.
As in most countries, the classification of the product can often depend on the claims made about its performance and function.
Regulatory requirements
Requirements
Regulatory requirements
Requirements
The most important requirement is that cosmetic products sold in Canada are manufactured, prepared, preserved, packed and stored under sanitary conditions and are, therefore, safe for use by the consumers.
When used as intended, a cosmetic product must not pose a risk to consumers. The safety of the product must be determined but the legislation does not specifically prescribe how the safety of the product is proven and demonstrated; that is the responsibility of the product manufacturer.
Health Canada maintains quite an extensive list of ingredients that cosmetic products should not contain, can contain only up to a certain maximum concentration or can contain under certain conditions along with the warnings that have to be displayed about the use of such ingredients. This list is referred to as the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist. However, this list contains only ingredients used intentionally, it does not include unintentional ingredients.
Cosmetic product labels must conform to the specific requirements for labelling that can be found in the Food and Drugs Act, the Cosmetic Regulations, and the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act. Special attention must be paid to the language used on the labels as in most cases at least some parts of the label also have to be written in French.
There is no pre-market registration for cosmetics that would lead to an official approval for sales in Canada but all cosmetic products placed on the Canadian market, whether manufactured in Canada or abroad, have to be notified to Health Canada using the Cosmetic Notification Form (CNF) within 10 days of being placed on the market. Failure to do so may result in a product being denied entry into Canada or being removed from sale. The information that needs to be provided on the CNF includes, among other things, the product identity, the product function, labelling for certain types of products, a list of ingredients and their concentrations, the product category, the name and address of the manufacturer and the distributor, etc.
Responsible Person
Canadian-Based Representative
Responsible Person
Canadian-Based Representative
As of October 9, 2024, Health Canada mandates that all cosmetic manufacturers based outside of Canada appoint a Canadian-based representative or responsible person. This representative (also referred to as the manufacturer or importer) acts as the primary liaison with Health Canada, ensuring compliance and facilitating effective communication. This update aligns with international standards, emphasizing consumer safety and product accountability.
Responsibilities of the Canadian Representative:
- Cosmetic Notification Form (CNF) Submission: The representative is responsible for submitting the CNF to Health Canada within 10 days of a cosmetic product's first sale in Canada. This submission provides detailed information about the product, including its ingredients and concentration levels. It is now also mandatory to provide a Canadian address as a contact point.
- Compliance Assurance: Ensuring that all cosmetic products meet the standards set out in the Food and Drugs Act and the Cosmetic Regulations, thereby safeguarding consumer health and safety.
- Liaison Role: Serving as the official correspondent between Health Canada and the company, addressing any compliance issues or safety concerns that may arise. At CE.way, we offer a range of services designed to help cosmetic businesses meet Health Canada's regulation efficiently. Partnering with us ensures that your cosmetic products not only comply with current Canadian regulations but also uphold the highest standards of safety and quality.
Why CE.way
Why brands choose CE.way for Canada?
From startups to established brands, we help companies navigate the Canadian market with confidence.
International compliance expertise
Serving clients across 40+ countries with deep regulatory knowledge.
Fast turnaround times
CNF filings submitted within the mandatory 10-day window. Safety reports completed efficiently.
In-house laboratory support
Our own lab in Slovenia provides safety testing to support Health Canada requirements.
Experience with Canada requirements
Proven track record with CNF submissions, Representative services, and Hotlist reviews.
Support for startups and established brands
Flexible services for first-time exporters and large multi-SKU portfolios alike.
Getting started
What's the process?
Three steps to launch compliant cosmetics in Canada.
01
Share your product details
Formulas, labels, target market. A short discovery call is enough to scope your project.
02
We review compliance requirements
Ingredient review, label compliance, safety substantiation, and CNF notification — handled end-to-end.
03
Launch your products in Canada
Receive support for compliant market entry, with ongoing Canadian Representative coverage.
Canada cosmetics regulations
FAQ
Cosmetics in Canada are regulated by Health Canada under the Food and Drugs Act, the Cosmetic Regulations, and the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act. These frameworks ensure that all cosmetic products sold in Canada are safe, properly labeled, and compliant with national standards.
A cosmetic is defined as any substance used for cleansing, improving, or altering the appearance of the skin, hair, teeth, or complexion. This includes products such as skincare, haircare, perfumes, deodorants, and even products used in professional settings or handmade cosmetics sold locally. Product classification depends heavily on the claims made.
No, Canada does not require pre-market approval for cosmetics. However, all products must be notified to Health Canada using the Cosmetic Notification Form (CNF) within 10 days of first sale. Failure to notify may result in products being refused entry or removed from the market.
The CNF is a mandatory notification submitted to Health Canada that includes detailed information about the product, such as:
- Product name and function
- Full ingredient list with concentrations
- Product category
- Manufacturer and distributor details
This ensures transparency and allows Health Canada to monitor product safety.
Yes, Health Canada maintains the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist, which outlines substances that are prohibited, restricted, or require specific warnings. Manufacturers must ensure compliance with this list, although it only applies to intentionally added ingredients.
Cosmetic labels must comply with multiple regulations and include:
- Product identity
- Ingredient list (INCI format)
- Warnings and directions for use
- Net quantity
- Contact information
In most cases, bilingual labeling (English and French) is mandatory, especially for key product information. Additional language requirements apply for products sold in Quebec.
Yes. As of October 2024, companies outside Canada must appoint a Canadian-based Responsible Person or representative. This entity acts as the official contact with Health Canada and is responsible for ensuring compliance and submitting the CNF.
The Canadian Responsible Person is responsible for:
- Submitting the Cosmetic Notification Form
- Ensuring product compliance with regulations
- Acting as a liaison with Health Canada
- Providing a Canadian contact address
This role is essential for market access and ongoing compliance.
Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring product safety. While the law does not prescribe a specific method, companies must perform toxicological risk assessments, evaluate ingredient safety, and ensure products are safe when used as intended. Proper documentation is essential in case of regulatory review.
To navigate Canadian regulations effectively, companies often rely on professional support services such as:
- Product classification
- Formula and ingredient review
- Labelling compliance and French translation
- Toxicological risk assessment
- CNF preparation and submission
- Canadian Responsible Person services
These services help ensure full compliance, reduce risk, and support successful entry into the Canadian market.
Client reviews
Trusted by 1000+ cosmetic brands worldwide.
Pulled from verified Google reviews — independent, unedited, and updated continuously.
"We were looking for a stand-alone service, not too sure what to expect... The professionalism, the assistance and the responsiveness were very much appreciated, amongst the best we have ever experienced."
"We are a small manufacturing company located in the US. We recently used CE.way Regulatory Consultants to help guide us through the Cosmetic regulatory changes that have taken place in the EU. They were instrumental in helping us understand the new laws and streamline the entire process. I would highly recommend their services."
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Get started
Ready to launch your cosmetic products in Canada?
Speak with our regulatory experts about Canada compliance, CNF notification, and Canadian Representative requirements.
