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Selling cosmetics in Canada doesn't require pre-market approval, but every product must be notified to Health Canada within 10 days of first sale. Since 2007, QSS guides domestic and international cosmetic brands through the full CNF process, from ingredient review to submission and resubmission.
Under Section 30 of the Cosmetic Regulations, manufacturers and importers must notify Health Canada within 10 days of first sale. The requirement applies to each product individually, and any change to the formulation, product name, or company information triggers a mandatory resubmission under Section 31.
The CNF requires the contact details of the notifier, manufacturer, distributor, and formulator; label contact, the product's intended function; and a complete ingredient list. Every ingredient must also be cross-referenced against Health Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist before submission. A product with a Hotlist conflict cannot be legally sold in Canada.
Keeping your notification current is what protects your products' access to the Canadian market. QSS manages the full process, from first submission through every amendment that follows.
We review your full ingredient list against Health Canada’s requirements, verifying INCI nomenclature, concentration thresholds, and function declarations to ensure your formulation is documented correctly before submission. As of April 12, 2026, the presence of any fragrance allergens must be provided on the cosmetic notification form when present in concentrations greater than 0.01% in rinse-off products, and greater than 0.001% in leave-on products.
We cross-reference every ingredient in your formulation against Health Canada’s Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist, identifying any restricted or prohibited substances before your notification goes in. If a conflict exists, we flag it and advise on next steps.
We prepare your Cosmetic Notification Form with the required notifier, manufacturer, distributor, and formulator information, complete ingredient declarations, and product function details, then submit it to Health Canada on your behalf through the online notification system.
When your formulation changes, your product is renamed, or your company information is updated, a CNF amendment is required under Section 31 of the Cosmetic Regulations. We manage the amendment process and resubmission, so your notification stays current.
If your company is based outside Canada, Health Canada requires a Canadian Agent to be listed on your Cosmetic Notification Form. As of March 2025, a CNF submitted without a Canadian Agent on file will not be accepted. QSS serves as your Canadian Cosmetic Agent, acting as your official local point of contact with Health Canada and managing regulatory correspondence on your behalf.
QSS works with cosmetic manufacturers and importers inside and outside Canada. If your company is based outside Canada and selling into the Canadian market, we guide you through the full notification process, including all documentation requirements that apply to foreign companies.
Cosmetic brands selling on both sides of the border need to meet FDA registration and product listing requirements as well. QSS supports compliance in both markets.
Every cosmetic sold in Canada must meet bilingual labelling requirements. QSS's label compliance and French translation service covers the full labelling review.
A Cosmetic Notification Form (CNF) is the document submitted to Health Canada that provides specific information about a cosmetic product. It includes the contact information of the manufacturer, distributor, and formulator; the intended function of the product; and a complete list of ingredients with their concentrations and functions. The CNF is the mechanism through which Health Canada tracks cosmetic products sold in Canada.
Under Section 30 of the Cosmetic Regulations, manufacturers and importers must submit a CNF to Health Canada within 10 days of the first sale of a cosmetic product in Canada. Selling without a valid notification on file can result in the product being refused entry into Canada or removed from sale. The requirement applies to all cosmetic products regardless of where they are manufactured.
Section 31 of the Cosmetic Regulations requires resubmission of the CNF whenever a change is made that affects the information on file. This includes changes to the formulation, the product name, the company name or address, or the contact information of the company. Discontinuation of sale also requires notification. Keeping the CNF current is an ongoing compliance obligation, not a one-time step.
Health Canada’s Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist is the list of substances that are either prohibited or restricted for use in cosmetics sold in Canada. Prohibited substances cannot appear in a formulation at any concentration. Restricted substances can only be used within specified limits or for specific purposes. Any product containing a Hotlist conflict cannot be legally sold in Canada, and identifying conflicts before submission is a critical part of the notification process.
Yes. The notification requirement applies to all manufacturers and importers selling cosmetics in Canada, regardless of where the company is based. International brands entering the Canadian market must have a valid CNF on file for each product before or within 10 days of first sale. QSS works with companies outside Canada to complete the full notification process on their behalf.
No pre-market approval is required to sell cosmetic products in Canada. Health Canada does not review or approve cosmetics before they reach the market. However, the CNF must be submitted within the 10-day window following first sale, and the product must comply with the Cosmetic Regulations and Ingredient Hotlist before it enters the market. Notification is a post-sale compliance obligation with a strict deadline.