Health Canada
The Canadian federal department responsible for national public health, including regulation of cosmetics under the Food and Drugs Act and the Cosmetic Regulations (C.R.C., c.869). Health Canada maintains the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist and processes cosmetic notifications.
Health Canada is the department of the Government of Canada responsible for national health policy, health product regulation, and public health. Its Consumer and Hazardous Products Safety Directorate oversees cosmetic product regulation.
Manufacturers and importers must submit a Cosmetic Notification Form (CNF) to Health Canada within 10 days of the first sale of a cosmetic product in Canada. Health Canada reviews notifications and may request additional information or take enforcement action if a product poses a health risk.
Health Canada maintains the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist, which lists substances that are prohibited or restricted in cosmetics. While the Hotlist is technically an administrative tool rather than a formal regulation, it is enforced under the general prohibition against selling cosmetics that may cause injury to health under the Food and Drugs Act.
Health Canada also conducts post-market surveillance, investigates consumer complaints, and can order product recalls. Its decisions are informed by international safety assessments including those from the SCCS, CIR, and other regulatory bodies.
Related Terms
Canadian Cosmetic Regulations (C.R.C. c.869)
Canada's Cosmetic Regulations under the Food and Drugs Act (C.R.C., c.869), administered by Health Canada, requiring cosmetic notification, ingredient disclosure using the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist, and bilingual labeling in English and French.
IngredientCosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Health Canada's list of substances that are prohibited or restricted in cosmetics sold in Canada. Although technically an administrative guide rather than a formal regulation, the Hotlist is enforced under the Food and Drugs Act and is regularly updated to reflect international safety assessments.
See how Cosmetica automates compliance
Replace manual regulatory work with AI-powered automation — from ingredient screening to submission filing.