Canada is an attractive market for international skincare, haircare, fragrance, makeup and personal care brands. However, companies planning to sell cosmetic products in the country need to understand that Canadian requirements differ from those in the European Union, United States and other major markets.
Cosmetics are primarily regulated under Canada’s Food and Drugs Act and Cosmetic Regulations. Manufacturers and importers are responsible for ensuring that products are safe, properly labelled and compliant with ingredient restrictions. They must also notify Health Canada about cosmetics placed on the Canadian market.
For international businesses, addressing these requirements before commercial launch can reduce the risk of labelling changes, regulatory questions and delays.
Determine Whether the Product Is a Cosmetic
Product classification should be one of the first steps when preparing for Canada.
Under the Food and Drugs Act, cosmetics generally include substances or mixtures intended for cleansing, improving or altering the complexion, skin, hair or teeth, as well as deodorants and perfumes.
However, the way a product is presented matters.
A conventional moisturiser may fall clearly within the cosmetic category, while a product promoted with therapeutic claims could potentially be regulated differently. Health Canada specifically notes that therapeutic representations in a product name, label or website can result in classification as a drug or natural health product instead of a cosmetic.
Brands should therefore assess product formulation, intended use and marketing claims together.
Companies preparing for market entry can review the applicable Canada cosmetic regulations before launching their products.
Understand the Cosmetic Notification Requirement
One of the most important differences between Canada and some other markets is the Cosmetic Notification Form, or CNF.
Manufacturers and importers must notify Health Canada within 10 days after a cosmetic is first sold in Canada. Failure to meet the notification requirements can potentially result in the product being denied entry or removed from sale.
The notification includes information such as:
- product brand and name,
- manufacturer and importer information,
- product type and intended use,
- ingredients,
- ingredient concentrations or permitted concentration ranges,
- relevant contact information.
There is currently no government fee for submitting a Cosmetic Notification Form.
Importantly, notification should not be confused with a pre-market approval system. The manufacturer or importer remains responsible for ensuring the cosmetic complies with Canadian law.
Review Ingredients Against the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Before launching a cosmetic, companies should review the complete formulation against Health Canada’s Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist.
The Hotlist identifies substances that are prohibited in cosmetics as well as ingredients that can be used only under specified conditions. Restricted ingredients may be subject to concentration limits, mandatory warnings or other requirements.
The Hotlist is not exhaustive, meaning that the absence of an ingredient from the list does not automatically establish that it is acceptable under every circumstance.
Brands should therefore conduct a broader formula assessment rather than relying solely on a simple Hotlist search.
Providing exact concentrations for restricted ingredients can also help Health Canada determine whether the relevant conditions have been met and may reduce delays when processing the notification.
Pay Attention to New Fragrance Allergen Requirements
Fragrance compliance has become particularly important.
As of April 12, 2026, fragrance allergens present above specified thresholds must be provided on the Cosmetic Notification Form. The thresholds are more than 0.01% in rinse-off cosmetics and more than 0.001% in leave-on products.
These allergens may originate not only from fragrance mixtures but also from essential oils and botanical extracts.
This means cosmetic companies may need more detailed composition information from fragrance houses and raw-material suppliers than they previously collected.
For international brands, supplier documentation should therefore be reviewed early rather than immediately before filing the Canadian notification.
Canadian Cosmetic Labels Have Specific Requirements
Labelling is another major consideration when preparing products for Canada.
Health Canada states that cosmetic labels must include information such as the ingredient list using INCI terminology, product identity, metric net quantity, dealer information and consumer contact information. Required warnings and certain other information must also be provided appropriately in English and French.
Canada’s bilingual environment makes artwork planning particularly important for international businesses.
A package originally created for the U.S. or another English-speaking market may therefore need substantial modification before Canadian distribution.
The safest approach is to conduct a regulatory artwork review before printing large quantities of cartons, labels or containers.
Keep Notification Information Updated
Regulatory work does not finish once the initial notification has been submitted.
If relevant information changes, the Cosmetic Notification Form may need to be updated. Examples include changes to the formulation, product name, company information or discontinuation of the product.
Health Canada generally requires updated notification information within 10 days after the previously submitted information becomes inaccurate.
This makes regulatory record management particularly important for companies frequently reformulating products or changing suppliers.
Maintain Evidence Supporting Product Safety
Manufacturers and importers remain responsible for ensuring cosmetics sold in Canada are safe.
Depending on the product, this may involve maintaining information relating to ingredient safety, microbiological quality, stability, specifications and other relevant testing.
Certain products can require additional supporting evidence. Health Canada, for example, publishes specific safety guidance for products such as tooth-whitening cosmetics containing peroxide or peroxide-generating compounds.
A structured technical file can make it easier to respond if authorities request additional information.
Build Canadian Compliance Into Product Development
The easiest way to manage Canadian cosmetic compliance is to begin before production and packaging are finalised.
Companies should first confirm product classification, review the formula, check ingredient restrictions and fragrance allergens, prepare compliant bilingual labelling and organise the information required for the Cosmetic Notification Form.
After launch, processes should also be in place for formula changes, label updates and maintaining accurate notification information.
For international beauty companies, treating Canadian regulatory compliance as part of product development rather than a last-minute administrative task can reduce unnecessary corrections and make future product launches more efficient. A structured approach also provides a stronger foundation for expanding a cosmetic portfolio across the Canadian market.
