Cosmetic Consulting Services in Canada

Health Canada’s Cosmetic Regulations

Cosmetics products sold in Canada must be compliant to regulations with respect to their ingredients and their package claims.

There is a well-defined interface between cosmetics and over-the counter drugs/natural health products and all products should be carefully considered and evaluated before they are sold in Canada. Cosmetic products in Canada must abide by Health Canada’s Food and Drugs Act as well as Health Canada’s Cosmetic Regulations.

Learn more about your cosmetic products before getting started to save time in development and reduce regulatory hurdles.

We offer the following cosmetic regulatory affairs consulting services:

  • Review of cosmetic formulations against Health Canada listings of restricted, prohibited ingredients.
  • Analysis of cosmetic labels for compliance with Health Canada regulations.
  • Submission of cosmetic notification forms to Health Canada.
  • Review of advertising material and websites.
  • Assistance with French translation of product labels.
cosmetics guidelines

Learn more about your cosmetic products before getting started to save time in development and reduce regulatory hurdles.

Frequently Asked Questions for Cosmetics In Canada – Myths and Facts

Myth #:1

All cosmetic products may be shipped to Canada and sold immediately without any notice to the Canadian authorities.

Fact:
Cosmetic products actually need to be formally registered with Health Canada by way of completion and submission of a Cosmetic Notification, within 10 days of the first day of sale in Canada. Failure to complete this process may result in cosmetics being denied entry into Canada or removed from sale.

Myth #2:

Cosmetic product can be shipped to Canada and sold on store shelves immediately without any changes required for the package label.

Fact:
All cosmetic products must be reviewed against several regulations (such as Health Canada’s Cosmetic Regulations, Health Canada’s Food & Drugs Act and Health Canada’s Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act) before they are sold in Canada.

Myth #3:

If the ingredients in our cosmetic are acceptable for sale in the US or Europe, then this guarantees that the formulation is going to accepted by Health Canada for Canadians.

Fact:
Each ingredient in cosmetic products must be assessed against the list of prohibited and restricted ingredients (hotlist) to ensure there are no restrictions in Canada for each component.

Myth #4:

Comeceuticals are sold in Canada.

Fact:
Canada does not encourage the use of the term “cosmeceutical” as this implies therapeutic benefits of cosmetics. Instead, Health Canada has a clear division of cosmetic products (with cosmetic claims) and natural health products and over the counter products (with therapeutic claims).

Therapeutic claims for cosmetic products are prohibited in product labels and related advertising.

Many products such as antiperspirants, hair care products, oral care and skin care products may be a cosmetic product, a natural health product or both!