Author: Petra Deva

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Cosmetic Regulations in Canada – Cosmetic Notification Form (CNF)

The cosmetic notification form (CNF) is an electronic registration form that cosmetics manufacturers in Canada must submit to Health Canada before they market their products.

The CNF requires information such as the name and address of the manufacturer, the product ingredients, the product name, product form, and area of intended use.

The Cosmetic Notification Form requirements became effective on January 1, 2009. All cosmetic manufacturers wishing to market their products in Canada must register with Health Canada using the CNF.

Cosmetic products that do not contain any restricted or prohibited ingredients will be processed immediately and a cosmetic number will be issued in 24 – 48 hours. Cosmetics that contain restricted ingredients will follow manual processing by Health Canada. A service standard for manual processing has not been established. 

Alphagreen Resources Inc  offers regulatory services from registering your cosmetic products to reviewing your cosmetic labels and submitting a cosmetic notification application to Health Canada.

Our experts are here to help and offer any cosmetic-related regulatory advice!

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Guidance for Cosmetic Advertising and Labelling Claims

Health Canada defines Cosmetics as any substance or mixture of substances manufactured, sold or represented for use in cleansing, improving or altering the complexion, skin, hair or teeth, and includes deodorants and perfumes.

Although ‘cosmetic’ and ‘drug’ definitions share certain features, only claims of a cosmetic nature are acceptable for cosmetics. Drug-type claims are not permitted for cosmetics.

Products that contain the following keywords are not represented as cosmetics:

Keywords:

Action on circulation
Aids breathing, decongestion, reference to cold/flu, fever symptoms
Antiseptic
Anti-inflammatory
Dental plaque-disclosing product
Diseases or health conditions (eg.  herpes/cold sores, hyperhydrosis/excessive sweating, blisters, bruising, infections, migraines, headaches)
Effect on muscles & joints
Fat reduction (eg. control, reduce and prevent cellulite, effects on lipids or adipocytes, water retention, weight management)
Gingivitis, Cavity Prevention
Hair Growth/Loss
Mesotherapy
Modify an organic function in humans (eg. auto-immune action, promote collagen and elastin production, red blood cell growth, cell/skin regeneration, numbing)
Pain Relief
Products taken orally, anally or injected (except tattoo ink), transdermal delivery
Scar or spider vein treatment
Sexual arousal/enhancement
Treatment of Skin conditions (eg. couperosis, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, dermatitis, irritation, acne, blackheads, blemishes, breakouts, zits, pimples, breakouts)
Skin whitening, lightening or bleaching (including effects on melanin and melanocytes or hyperpigmentation, depigmentation, UV damage)
Wound healing

* Note that this list is not exhaustive and may be updated from time to time.

Alphagreen Resources Inc  offers regulatory services from registering your cosmetic products to reviewing your cosmetic labels and submitting a cosmetic notification application to Health Canada.

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Over-The-Counter (OTC) Drugs Regulatory in Canada

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Non-prescription drugs, also called over-the-counter drugs, are health products that can be bought without a doctor’s prescription.

Canada regulates non-prescription drugs to:

  • make sure they’re safe to use
  • reduce health risks to Canadians

Non-prescription drugs require a valid Drug Identification Number (DIN) to be sold in Canada. On a product label, this number indicates the drug has met our requirements for:

  • safety
  • quality
  • effectiveness

The label lists the drug’s ingredients, so Canadians can avoid those that may cause concern.

There are several monograph categories for Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drugs in Canada. These include Labeling Standard, TPD Category IV, and Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (i.e. NSAIDs).

Canadian companies that manufacture, package, label and import non-prescription drugs must:

  • be licensed for these activities
  • provide the necessary documents and evidence

Any company (domestic or international) that manufactures, distributes, or imports OTC pharmaceuticals must provide proof that they adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices GMP and possess an Site License.