North America · Canada
What does it take to sell cosmetics in Canada? Entry route, responsibility, labeling
Post-market notification — a Cosmetic Notification Form must be filed with Health Canada …; Responsible person: No mandatory Canadian RP; Labeling: Bilingual English/French mandatory statements.
Latest change 2026-04-12 — Fragrance-allergen disclosure under SOR/2024-63 took effect: 24 allergens must be named in the ingredient list above 0.001% (leave-on) / 0.01% (rinse-off), expanding to 81 allergens for new products from 2026-08-01 and all products from 2028-08-01, with a compliance-promotion year to 2027-04-11. Source
Factory-side digest; the official text prevails; not legal advice.
- Authority
- Health Canada (Consumer Product Safety Directorate)
- Main regulation
- R.S.C. 1985, c. F-27; C.R.C., c. 869 as amended by SOR/2024-63 · Food and Drugs Act and the Cosmetic Regulations
- In force
- 1977
- Market entry
- Post-market notification — a Cosmetic Notification Form must be filed with Health Canada within 10 days after first sale in Canada; no licence or approval.
- Responsible person
- No mandatory Canadian RP; the label must carry the name and principal place of business of the manufacturer or the Canadian importer/distributor, and the notifier is accountable to Health Canada.
- Safety file
- No formal PIF — manufacturers/importers must be able to demonstrate safety on request, comply with the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist and may not rely on new animal-test data.
- Labeling
- Bilingual English/French mandatory statements; INCI ingredient list; fragrance allergens named above 0.001% leave-on / 0.01% rinse-off from 2026-04-12; metric net quantity and manufacturer/importer address.
- Animal testing
- Cosmetic animal testing and the sale of cosmetics relying on new animal-test data are banned since 2023-12-22 (Bill C-47 amendments to the Food and Drugs Act).
- Ingredient lists
- Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist (administrative list of prohibited and restricted ingredients) backed by the Food and Drugs Act s.16 general safety prohibition.
- Notes
- SOR/2024-63 was published 2024-04-24 and its non-allergen provisions took effect 2024-10-09; the 81-allergen phase dates are from the canada.ca labelling guide; Health Canada clarified in 2026 that allergen concentrations in the CNF are optional.
- Look up this inventory here
- 加拿大 · Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
- Official text
- https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/C.R.C.,_c._869/
Changes 2025–2026
- Canada mandates fragrance-allergen disclosure on cosmetic labels
Under SOR/2024-63, 24 fragrance allergens must appear in the ingredient list above 0.001% leave-on / 0.01% rinse-off from 12 April 2026, expanding to 81 allergens for new products from 1 August 2026 and all products from 1 August 2028, with compliance promotion until 11 April 2027. Source
FAQ
Does Canada require notification or registration before sale?
Post-market notification — a Cosmetic Notification Form must be filed with Health Canada within 10 days after first sale in Canada; no licence or approval.
Is a local responsible person mandatory in Canada?
No mandatory Canadian RP; the label must carry the name and principal place of business of the manufacturer or the Canadian importer/distributor, and the notifier is accountable to Health Canada.
What are the labeling requirements in Canada?
Bilingual English/French mandatory statements; INCI ingredient list; fragrance allergens named above 0.001% leave-on / 0.01% rinse-off from 2026-04-12; metric net quantity and manufacturer/importer address.
What changed recently in Canada cosmetic regulation?
2026-04-12 Fragrance-allergen disclosure under SOR/2024-63 took effect: 24 allergens must be named in the ingredient list above 0.001% (leave-on) / 0.01% (rinse-off), expanding to 81 allergens for new products from 2026-08-01 and all products from 2028-08-01, with a compliance-promotion year to 2027-04-11.
Related buyer questions
- Pagbebenta sa anim na merkado ng ASEAN: gaano katagal ang notification at saan ito nababagal?
- Kailangan bang balong-pormula ang mga kahalaleng kosmetiko, at paano gumagana ang 2026 halal mandate ng Indonesia?
- Paano matutukoy kung seryoso ang isang cosmetics contract manufacturer?
- Isang produkto sa anim na bansa: paano nila-lay-out ang mga label at leaflet upang hindi matanggal?
Entering Canada? Send the product type and we reply with the factory-side document list and lead time. Send an inquiry