Raw Elements' team is kept up-to-date and informed with regulations that appear to be ever changing in Canada. Health Canadaand the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)are the two main branches of the Canadian government that regulate all products distributed by Raw Elements.
Please review the information below to help you understand how to sell your product in Canada.
Natural Health Products
Natural Health Products (NHPs) are defined as:
1) vitamin and mineral supplements
2) herb and plant-based remedies
3) traditional medicines like Traditional Chinese Medicines or Ayurvedic (Indian) Medicines
4) omega 3 and essential fatty acids
5) probiotics
6) homeopathic medicines
7) many everyday consumer products, like certain toothpastes, antiperspirants, shampoos, facial products and mouthwashes
Natural Health Products (NHPs) require premarket authorization and must be licensed for sale in Canada according to the Natural Health Product Regulations. Licensed products are assigned a natural product number (NPN) that must appear on the principal display panel (front) of the product. NHP’s requires approval prior to sale by the Natural Health Products Directorate for efficacy and safety, either as a traditional or non-traditional NHP. The quality of the NHP needs to meet the requirements of the Evidence for Quality of Finished Natural Health Products. The manufacturing of an NHP needs to meet the requirements of the current guide for Good Manufacturing Practices. Raw Elements has a valid Site License for manufacturing, packaging & Labelling, importing and storing NHP’s. A foreign site may obtain a Foreign Site Reference Number to allow a Canadian importer to sell their NHP product in Canada. The foreign site can provide a completed Foreign Site Reference Number Authorization form to the importer, so that the Canadian Site License holder can include the foreign site on their Site License. If you require assistance with the requirements for registering or selling your NHP in Canada, then please contact a Raw Elements recommended regulatory consultant. If you require assistance with the requirements for registering or selling your NHP in Canada, then please contact a Raw Elements recommended regulatory consultant.
Foods (organic, gluten-free, table top sweetener, etc.)
Foods are regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in Canada. The main document that outlines requirements for the labeling of food products is the Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising. Importing foods requires Raw Elements to follow current Good Importing Practices for Food. Cosmetics (personal care product) Cosmetics are regulated by the Product Safety Programme section of Health Canada. Cosmetics require a cosmetic notification to be completed and sent to Health Canada within the first 10 days of sale. Please see the guidelines for cosmetic labeling in Canada. Ingredient lists need to meet the requirements of the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredient (INCI). Health Canada keeps a Hot List of cosmetic ingredients that provide guidance on the levels acceptable in a given cosmetic product. A cosmetic product needs to be manufactured according to Good Manufacturing Practices.
Canadian Labeling:
Canada has two official languages (English and French) and all labeling is required to be in both official languages. Languages are also regulated by the provinces. In Quebec, there are regulations that require French to have equal prominence with English label text.
Regulatory Consultants:
Please feel free to contact any of these consultants below to help you with your product submission.
Deltec
Web Site
For More Information
For technical support or for general questions about the content of this database, please contact the Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD) at nhp_initiative_psn@hc-sc.gc.ca