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Are you planning to manufacture or import products for sale in Canada? This guide provides an overview of key acts and regulations covering consumer products, packaging, substances, and other areas of compliance.
We also address common questions and provide a methodology you can use as a starting point when finding relevant compliance requirements for your products in Canada.
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Consumer Products
Consumer products sold in Canada must comply with the Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA). Here are a few key points to be aware of:
General principles
1. It is prohibited to import, manufacture, or sell unsafe products. As such, any unsafe consumer product can be recalled regardless of whether specific regulations or standards are in place for that product.
2. Certain products (as listed in Schedule 2) are outright prohibited by the CCPSA.
3. Certain products must also comply with regulations made under the CCPSA. These are listed in the following sections.
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)
Other regulations
- Administrative Monetary Penalties (Consumer Products) Regulations (SOR/2013-101)
- Exemption Regulations (Consumer Products) (SOR/2015-97)
Recommended article: Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA): Quick Guide
Textile Products
There are regulations under the Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) covering children’s sleepwear, textile flammability and textile floor coverings. Textiles labelling requirements are covered by a separate act and regulation.
CCPSA Regulations (examples)
- Children’s Sleepwear Regulations (SOR/2016-169)
- Textile Flammability Regulations (SOR/2016-194)
- Textile Floor Coverings Regulations (SOR/2016-176)
Textiles labelling
- Textile Flammability Regulations (SOR/2016-194)
- Textile Floor Coverings Regulations (SOR/2016-176)
Substance restrictions
Note that substance restrictions can also apply to fabrics and other components, such as buttons and zippers.
Recommended article: Clothing and Textiles Regulations in Canada: Quick Guide
Packaging
Packaging materials imported or manufactured for sale or to protect and distribute products are subject to various acts and regulations. Note that some regulations also set requirements for particular types of packaging under the CCPSA.
Consumer Packaging and Labelling
- Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-38)
- Consumer Packaging and Labelling Regulations (C.R.C., c. 417)
CCPSA Regulations (examples)
- Carbonated Beverage Glass Containers Regulations (SOR/2016-166)
- Vaping Products Labelling and Packaging Regulations (SOR/2019-353)
Other Regulations
The table below lists other regulations and acts in Canada relevant to products. Note that these are not necessarily all product regulations in existence.
| Regulation | Scope (example) |
| Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (S.C. 1999, c. 33) | Requirements related to pollution prevention and environmental protection (e.g. substance restrictions) |
| Competition Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-34) | Maintain and encourage competition |
| Cosmetic Regulations (C.R.C., c. 869) | Cosmetic products |
| Food and Drug Regulations (C.R.C., c. 870) | Food and drugs |
| Food and Drugs Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. F-27) | Food, drugs, cosmetics and therapeutic devices |
| Hazardous Materials Information Review Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. 24 (3rd Supp.), Part III) | Hazardous materials |
| Hazardous Materials Information Review Regulations (SOR/88-456) | Hazardous materials |
| Hazardous Products Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. H-3) | Hazardous products |
| Hazardous Products Regulations (SOR/2015-17) | Hazardous products |
| Medical Devices Regulations (SOR/98-282) | Medical devices |
| Microbeads in Toiletries Regulations (SOR/2017-111) | Microbeads in toiletries |
| New Substances Notification Regulations (Chemicals and Polymers) (SOR/2005-247) | Substance information requirements |
| New Substances Notification Regulations (Organisms) (SOR/2005-248) | Substance information requirements |
| Pest Control Products Act (S.C. 2002, c. 28) | Pest control products |
| Pest Control Products Regulations (SOR/2006-124) | Pest control products |
| Precious Metals Marking Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. P-19) | Precious metals |
| Precious Metals Marking Regulations (C.R.C., c. 1303) | Precious metals |
| Products Containing Mercury Regulations (SOR/2014-254) | Substance restrictions (mercury) |
| Prohibition of Asbestos and Products Containing Asbestos Regulations (SOR/2018-196) | Substance restrictions (asbestos) |
| Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012 (SOR/2012-285) | Substance restrictions |
| Textile Labelling Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. T-10) | Textiles |
| Textile Labelling and Advertising Regulations (C.R.C., c. 1551) | Textiles |
| Volatile Organic Compound Concentration Limits for Certain Products Regulations (SOR/2021-268) | Volatile organic compound restrictions |
| Weights and Measures Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. W-6) | Weights and Measures requirements |
Note: This guide does not cover regulations for electronic products. This may be added at a later date.
Provincial Regulations
Products sold in Canada are not only subject to the federal acts and regulations covered so far in this guide, but must also comply with regulations at the provincial level.
Here are some examples of such regulations:
- Consumer Protection Act (Quebec)
- Charter of the French Language
- Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act (British Columbia)
- CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT (Alberta)
- The Consumer Protection and Business Practices Act (Saskatchewan)
- The Consumer Protection Act (Manitoba)
- Consumer Protection Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 30, Sched. A (Ontario)
- Consumer Protection Act (New Brunswick)
- Consumer Protection Act (Nova Scotia)
- CONSUMER PROTECTION AND BUSINESS PRACTICES ACT (Newfoundland and labrador)
- CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT (Prince Edward Island)
FAQ
Which products are regulated in Canada?
As you can see in this guide, many product types are subject to acts and regulations that cover a specific product type, substance, or risk. For example, children’s products must meet certain safety requirements defined in regulations such as the Children’s Jewellery Regulations (SOR/2018-82).
That being said, the CCPSA also prohibits the sale of unsafe products. As such, there is not necessarily a definitive list of regulated products, as this principle could be applied to almost any product.
Likewise, packaging, labelling, and provincial regulations also cover most products sold in Canada.
Where can I find information about Canadian product regulations?
You can access legislation texts via the Justice Laws Website in English and French. You can also find guidance pages on Canada.ca.
How do I know which regulations apply?
Acts and regulations cover products within a certain scope, which can be narrow or very broad. You could use the following methodology as a starting point:
1. Is your product a consumer product?
2. Is it covered by one or more CCPSA regulations?
3. Are there any applicable Canadian product standards?
4. Is the packaging covered by one or more acts or regulations?
5. Do any of the acts and regulations covering substances apply?
6. Which provinces do you intend to sell in? (which can determine which provincial regulations apply).
That said, there can be more steps to take into consideration.
What do we need to do to comply?
Acts and regulations set requirements concerning product safety, labelling, testing, documentation, reporting and many other areas. The only way to find out is to read the legislation texts and complementing guidance pages.
That said, here are some actions you may need to take:
1. Adjust the design of your product based on requirements under acts, regulations and standards
2. Affix labelling to the product and/or packaging
3. Ensure that labels and other information is made available in English and French (as required under the Charter of the French Language)
4. Arrange product safety and substance testing to verify compliance with applicable acts, regulations and standards
5. Issue required documentation
