Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA): Quick Guide

Planning to manufacture or import consumer products for sale in Canada? Then you must ensure compliance with the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA).

This guide serves as an introduction to CCPSA product safety requirements, labelling, documentation, and testing.

Which products are covered by the CCPSA?

The Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) applies to consumer products, which are defined as follows:

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Consumer product means a product, including its components, parts or accessories, that may reasonably be expected to be obtained by an individual to be used for non-commercial purposes, including for domestic, recreational and sports purposes, and includes its packaging.

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The table below provides a more detailed overview of the CCPSA scope:

Area	Overview
Covered products	1. All consumer products must meet the requirements of the CCPSA 2. Supplying unsafe (including recalled) consumer products is prohibited 3. Certain products must meet product-specific regulations under the CCPSA
Exempted products	Products listed in Schedule 1 are exempt from the CCPSA
Prohibited products	Products listed in Schedule 2 are prohibited under the CCPSA

As such, most consumer products are subject to the CCPSA. That said, some consumer products are prohibited, while others are subject to product-specific regulations.

Products with specific regulations under the CCPSA

Below follows an overview of product-specific regulations under the CCPSA:

Toys and children’s products

• Carriages and Strollers Regulations (SOR/2023-101)
• Children’s Jewellery Regulations (SOR/2018-82)
• Children’s Sleepwear Regulations (SOR/2016-169)
• Cribs, Cradles and Bassinets Regulations (SOR/2016-152)
• Expansion Gates and Expandable Enclosures Regulations (SOR/2016-179)
• Infant Feeding Bottle Nipples Regulations (SOR/2016-180)
• Pacifiers Regulations (SOR/2016-184)
• Phthalates Regulations (SOR/2016-188)
• Playpens Regulations (SOR/2018-186)
• Toys Regulations (SOR/2011-17)

Textile products

• Textile Flammability Regulations (SOR/2016-194)
• Textile Floor Coverings Regulations (SOR/2016-176)

Other products

• Candles Regulations (SOR/2016-165)
• Cellulose Fibre Insulation Regulations (SOR/2016-177)
• Charcoal Regulations (SOR/2016-178)
• Cigarette Ignition Propensity (Consumer Products) Regulations (SOR/2016-103)
• Consumer Chemicals and Containers Regulations, 2001 (SOR/2001-269)
• Corded Window Coverings Regulations (SOR/2019-97)
• Face Protectors for Ice Hockey and Box Lacrosse Players Regulations (SOR/2016-173)
• Glass Doors and Enclosures Regulations (SOR/2016-174)
• Glazed Ceramics and Glassware Regulations (SOR/2016-175)
• Ice Hockey Helmet Regulations (SOR/2016-186)
• Kettles Regulations (SOR/2016-181)
• Lighters Regulations (SOR/2016-187)
• Matches Regulations (SOR/2016-182)
• Mattresses Regulations (SOR/2016-183)
• Nicotine Concentration in Vaping Products Regulations (SOR/2021-123)
• Residential Detectors Regulations (SOR/2016-190)
• Restraint Systems and Booster Seats for Motor Vehicles Regulations (SOR/2016-191)
• Science Education Sets Regulations (SOR/2016-192)
• Tents Regulations (SOR/2024-217)

Substance regulations

• Phthalates Regulations (SOR/2016-188)*
• Consumer Products Containing Lead Regulations (SOR/2018-83)
• Surface Coating Materials Regulations (SOR/2016-193)

*Cover toys and children’s products

Packaging regulations

• Carbonated Beverage Glass Containers Regulations (SOR/2016-166)
• Vaping Products Labelling and Packaging Regulations (SOR/2019-353)

Recommended article: Packaging Regulations in Canada: Quick Guide

Other regulations

• Administrative Monetary Penalties (Consumer Products) Regulations (SOR/2013-101)
• Exemption Regulations (Consumer Products) (SOR/2015-97)

Note: Your product may still be covered by the CCPSA even if it is not subject to a specific regulation listed above.

Who is responsible for complying with the CCPSA?

The CCPSA sets requirements for manufacturers and importers. It also covers the following:

• Companies selling products
• Companies advertising products
• Companies testing products

As such, the CCPSA impacts almost the entire supply chain.

General Requirements

Below follows an overview of key CCPSA requirements. Note that this section does not contain the entire CCPSA text, and therefore, it does not provide all requirements or context.

Note that exemptions and prohibitions are addressed in the FAQ.

Product safety and standards

All consumer products sold in Canada must be safe. That said, some products are subject to product-specific regulations that set additional requirements.

• Certain regulations reference standards
• This means that your product must comply with the referenced standards

Example: Ice Hockey Helmets

1. Covered by the Ice Hockey Helmet Regulations (SOR/2016-186)

2. The regulation mandates compliance with standard Z262.1 (Link)

3. You must ensure that your helmet meets certain technical requirements:

• Construction
• Shock absorption
• Field of view
• Markings
• User information

The standard also specifies test methods. In practice, this means that you must adjust your helmet design and specifications to meet standard Z262.1, which in turn means that your product complies with the Ice Hockey Helmet Regulations (SOR/2016-186).

Testing

Testing according to the specified test methods is necessary to verify that a product is technically compliant with applicable regulations and standards.

Further, the authorities also have the right to request test reports from importers, manufacturers and other companies supplying products in Canada.

That said, testing should take place before a product is sold to ensure that it is safe and meets the technical requirements.

Labelling

1. The CCPSA states that false, misleading or deceptive label information related to the following is prohibited:

• Dangers to human health
• Product safety
• Certification related to safety
• Compliance with safety standards or regulations

2. Incorrect or missing labels (including instructions) that can have serious consequences may result in a recall.

3. Labelling and marking requirements can also be set by:

• Product-specific regulations
• Canadian standards

Note: Providing adequate labelling and instructions related to correct use, precautions, or information about age groups or other limitations is therefore essential. That said, products must also be safe by design, and the use of warnings is not a substitute.

Documentation

The CCPSA mentions the following documentation requirements under 13(1):

Retailers

A document that contains the following:

• Supplier name and address
• Sales locations
• Sales period

Other entities

• Supplier name and address
• Buyer names and addresses

The name and address of the person from whom they obtained the product, the location where, and the period during which they sold the product

Test reports

Test reports are also necessary to demonstrate that a product complies with a certain regulation or standard.

Reporting

Manufacturers and importers of products must report product safety incidents within 10 days.

FAQ

Which products are prohibited under the CCPSA?

Prohibited products are listed in Schedule 2. Here are some examples of prohibited products:

• Jequirity beans
• Spectacle frames with cellulose nitrate.
• Certain types of baby walkers
• Teethers, pacifiers and baby bottle nipples containing micro-organism filling
• Self bottle feeding devices for babies
• Certain types of kites
• Baby bottles containing bisphenol A

Note that products listed in Schedule 2 cannot be imported, manufactured or sold in Canada.

Which products are exempt from the CCPSA?

Exempted products are listed in Schedule 1. Here are some examples:

• Explosives
• Cosmetics
• Medical devices
• Drugs
• Food
• Pest control products
• Vehicles

Note that other regulations cover many products that are exempt under the CCPSA.

Does the CCPSA cover toys?

Yes, the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) is applicable to toys. The following regulations are relevant:

• Toys Regulations (SOR/2011-17)
• Phthalates Regulations (SOR/2016-188)

Does the CCPSA cover children’s products?

Yes, the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) is applicable to many types of children’s products. This includes children’s furniture, clothing, and other types of products.

Is testing required under the CCPSA?

Yes, testing is in practice required for the following reasons:

1. Testing is required to verify compliance with applicable product regulations and standards

2. The authorities have the right to request test reports to verify compliance

Further, Amazon sellers in Canada are also required to provide test reports upon request. Without testing, you are selling products that may or may not comply with the requirements.

Are importers required to comply with the CCPSA?

Yes, the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) is clear in that importers are responsible for ensuring that consumer products are safe.

If you are, for example, importing products from China, then you, as a Canadian importer, will be primarily responsible for ensuring compliance with the CCPSA.