Chapter 1 Health Canada Regulatory Information Brief

1. Eaa and Introduction

Health Canada oversees market access, sales, and market compliance for cosmetic products.

2. Supervision and regulation

the Cosmetic Regulations under the Food and Drugs Act

Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act

3. Cosmetics definition

Under the Food and Drug Act, a "cosmetic" is any substance used to clean, improve, or alter skin tone, skin, hair, nails, or teeth. Cosmetics include beauty preparations (cosmetics, perfumes, skin creams, nail polish) and beauty AIDS (soaps, shampoos, shaving creams, deodorants).

Some products that appear to be cosmetic may be classified as different products and regulated by different Health Canada programs:

Goods that claim to have therapeutic effects (such as preventing or treating disease) or contain certain active ingredients not allowed in cosmetics are considered medicines, such as topical antibiotic creams.

Products that contain natural active ingredients that claim to have therapeutic effects (e.g., topical herbs that speed scar healing) are considered natural health products.

Insect repellent products are not cosmetics, but pesticides.

Among them, anti-dandruff shampoo, skin whitening agent, antiperspirant and sunburn protection agent, etc., are not cosmetics.

4. Entry requirement

• Determine cosmetic categories

• Information about the cosmetic, including its name, formulation and intended use

• Cosmetic Notification Form

• Determine the Notifier

• Contact information (reflected on the label for consumers to contact)

• Name and address of the manufacturer or importer in Canada

• Full ingredient list, bilingual label (English + French), safety certificate

• In addition, Health Canada encourages the production of cosmetics to comply with GMP requirements

5. Registration language 

English or French

6. Notifier

Notifier is responsible for filing cosmetics. Notifier can be a manufacturer, importer, or filing agent. Notifier is responsible for liaising with Canadian cosmetics regulators.

Chapter 2 Registration process, cycle & Government fee

1. Registration flow chart

2. Registrar's fee

Health CanadaNo official fees are charged.

Chapter 3 FAQ 

Q：How long is a Canadian cosmetic filing valid?

A：Canadian cosmetic filings have no expiration date.

Q：When do I need to file cosmetics?

A：Under sections 30 and 31 of the Cosmetic Regulations under the Food and Drug Act, cosmetic manufacturers and Canadian importers are required to report cosmetic products to Health Canada within 10 days of their first sale in Canada.

Q：Do I have to use the name INCI when filing cosmetics in Canada?

A：Not really.

Most cosmetic ingredients bear the name INCI, so it is important to read the ICI dictionary carefully. However, if there is indeed no INCI name, the ingredient must be listed by the chemical name derived from a recognized source. If the ingredient does not have an INCI name, use one of the reference naming systems to list the ingredient names in order of priority.

Submission of non-INCI names may result in delays in the cosmetic filing cycle.

Q：What is Cosmetic Number (CN):?

A：CN is an 8-digit unique identifier assigned by Health Canada for keeping records. After the CNF is processed, a CN is assigned and emailed to the filer. For modifications or discontinued sales, enter CN (if any) to speed up processing. Receipt of a filing number does not constitute approval of the product by Health Canada.

This CN also applies to any communication with Health Canada regarding goods. This is equivalent to the "CNF number" used before 2013.

Q：Can multiple products be registered in the same number?

A：A CNF can be submitted to cover multiple items if all of the following conditions are met:

①The same trade name or trademark applies to all individual goods listed in the CNF;

②The basic formula is the same, except for slight changes in the composition of the coloring, spice or flavoring agent;

③All other details in the CNF, such as form, function, and manufacturer, are the same for each product.

If you are just adding or removing products in the production line, there is no need to modify the CNF, as long as no new ingredients are introduced.

Q：What requirements does the Canadian Cosmetics Regulatory Authority have for therapeutic descriptions in product names, labels or websites?

A：Cosmetics must not have therapeutic properties associated with them. Such claims may result in the commodity being classified as a drug or natural health product under the Food and Drug Act and its regulations. This includes statements in the name of the product, on the label of the product, in the advertisement of the product, or on the company's website. If the product statement contains a treatment claim, the filer will be redirected to Health Canada's appropriate program area.