Launching a cosmetic product in Canada

A cosmetic is being prepared for Canadian retail. Before the first sale, the businesses involved need to understand how it is classified, check the formula and prepare the label. The Cosmetic Regulations set a notification deadline tied to first sale.

This guide focuses on selected federal requirements for ordinary cosmetics. Sunscreens, therapeutic claims and sales in particular provinces can require further checks. For the wider comparison, read launching a cosmetic product across eight markets. Sources were checked on 3 November 2026.

This article was generated with AI and checked against the sources linked below. It has not been independently reviewed by a local regulatory professional.

Decide how the product is classified

Health Canada considers how a product is represented, what it contains and how it acts when deciding whether it is a cosmetic. A therapeutic or sunscreen claim can change the route, even when the product resembles a moisturiser. Classify the actual product and its claims before choosing a filing or preparing artwork. Where classification is unclear, Health Canada considers products case by case. Health Canada: cosmetic notification.

Identify the Canadian manufacturer, importer and the party preparing the notification. A consultant may submit information on someone’s behalf, but the role of manufacturer or importer depends on the applicable definitions and supply arrangement. A notification service does not itself assume all product compliance responsibilities.

Check the formula and its safety

Obtain the full formula, ingredient identities and concentrations, including the information needed from fragrance suppliers. Review the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist, which Health Canada uses to communicate substances that may be prohibited, restricted or subject to warnings. Read each entry’s conditions against the actual use and concentration.

The Hotlist is an administrative tool and does not replace the Food and Drugs Act or Cosmetic Regulations. An ingredient’s absence from the Hotlist does not by itself establish that the finished product is safe. The manufacturer and importer are responsible for a product that complies with applicable requirements, and Health Canada may request information about safety.

Prepare Canadian label information

The label must include the required product identity, ingredient information, net quantity, the dealer’s identity and principal place of business, a contact for product-related questions, and applicable warnings and directions. The contact can be the manufacturer, importer or another appropriate party. Health Canada’s guidance explains which statements must be in English and French and where they belong on inner or outer labels. Ingredient naming follows its own rules, so avoid assuming that each INCI name requires a translation. Additional provincial language requirements may apply, including in Québec. Health Canada: cosmetic labelling guide.

For a fragranced moisturiser, ask the supplier for the information needed to assess disclosure of listed fragrance allergens at the finished-product concentration. For leave-on products, Health Canada’s guide gives a disclosure threshold greater than 0.001%. The expanded list applies to new cosmetics from 1 August 2026 and existing cosmetics from 1 August 2028; the earlier list applies to new and existing products from 12 April 2026. Check the definitions, grouped ingredients and transition status for the actual product. The EU and Canada fragrance-allergen comparison explains why the markets’ dates need separate review.

Submit the cosmetic notification

The Cosmetic Regulations place notification obligations on every manufacturer and importer. Each needs to ensure the required notification is provided to Health Canada no later than 10 days after that manufacturer or importer first sells the cosmetic. An authorised person can submit on their behalf; identify the parties and applicable duties for the actual supply arrangement rather than assuming either company can leave the obligation to the other.

The Cosmetic Notification Form asks for product identity, function, manufacturing and importing contacts, ingredient names and concentrations or permitted concentration ranges. Where the labels or inserts must carry information required by sections 22 to 24 of the Cosmetic Regulations, section 30 requires a copy or facsimile of those labels and inserts.

Health Canada’s guide notes that a notification can include an actual or estimated first-sale date. A completed submission or assigned cosmetic number is not an approval, a confirmation that the product is a cosmetic, or a finding that it meets all requirements. Compliance and safety must be in place for the launch; the 10-day notification period is not a grace period to finish checking them. Health Canada: notification guide.

Keep a copy of the submitted information and assign responsibility for changes. The Cosmetic Regulations require a manufacturer or importer who provided a notification to submit a revised notification and applicable revised documents or information within ten days after they become inaccurate. This includes information about a cosmetic no longer sold in Canada. A change of formula, product name or contact details should prompt the team to check whether an amendment is needed, as well as whether the label and safety information remain appropriate. Cosmetic Regulations, section 31.

Who is responsible when there is a problem?

Canada does not use the EU responsible-person definition as a general substitute for identifying the manufacturer, importer and other businesses in the supply chain. Manufacturers and importers must meet their notification duties and ensure products comply with the Food and Drugs Act and Cosmetic Regulations. Canadian law prohibits selling a cosmetic that may cause injury to health when used as directed or in the customary or usual way. Health Canada may request safety evidence and additional notification information under the applicable provisions. Health Canada: notification; Food and Drugs Act, section 16.

The regulations prohibit sale after the applicable 10-day period if required notification documents have not been supplied, and set separate restrictions for missing revisions or information requested by the Minister. Health Canada says non-compliant products may be denied entry or removed from sale. Enforcement and any civil claim depend on the legal duties, parties and facts; appointing someone to submit a form does not automatically transfer every responsibility. Cosmetic Regulations, section 15.3; Health Canada: import guidance.

Plan the handoff after launch

Make sure customer questions reach the contact printed on the label. Connect the importer and brand’s complaint records so they can identify the affected product and batch, investigate an issue and respond to a Health Canada request. Review the applicable incident-reporting and corrective-action obligations for the circumstances; a cosmetic notification number does not replace this work.

Before import and first sale, have the Canadian importer confirm that the actual product, documents and packaging meet current requirements. Particular ingredients, claims and distribution arrangements may require more work than this example describes.

Sources

• Health Canada: Notification of Cosmetics, Guide for Cosmetic Notifications, and Cosmetic Regulations, section 30.
• Health Canada: Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist.
• Health Canada: Industry Guide for the Labelling of Cosmetics.