Regulatory Label Requirements Guide Canada | CFIA, Health Canada, CPA
📋 Regulatory Label Requirements Guide
Stay compliant, avoid fines, and build customer trust. Canadian product labelling is governed by federal and provincial regulations. This guide breaks down the essential labelling requirements for common product categories sold in Canada, with a focus on Ontario businesses.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This guide provides general information only and is not legal advice. Always verify current regulations with the appropriate federal/provincial authority before finalizing your labels. Regulations change frequently.
🇨🇦 Federal Regulatory Bodies (Canada-Wide)
| Agency | Governs | Key Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) | Food, beverages, agricultural products | Safe Food for Canadians Act, Consumer Packaging & Labelling Act |
| Health Canada | Cosmetics, natural health products, medical devices | Food & Drugs Act, Cosmetic Regulations, NHPD |
| Innovation, Science & Economic Development Canada | Consumer products, textiles | Consumer Packaging & Labelling Act, Textile Labelling Act |
| Transport Canada | Dangerous goods | Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act |
🍽️ Food & Beverage Labels (CFIA)
Mandatory Information (Consumer Prepackaged Foods)
All food labels sold in Canada must include:
- Common name (in English and French)
- Net quantity (in metric: mL, L, g, kg)
- Dealer name & address (Canadian business name + full address)
- Ingredient list (descending order by weight; allergens emphasized)
- Nutrition Facts table (standardized format; exemptions for small businesses under certain conditions)
- Durable life date ("Best Before" if shelf life ≤ 90 days)
- Country of origin (if imported; "Product of Canada" if applicable)
- Allergen declarations (priority allergens: peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat, sesame, sulphites, mustard)
Bilingual Requirements
- ✅ Mandatory: Common name, ingredient list, dealer info must appear in English AND French
- ✅ Exemptions: Small businesses with annual sales under $1M MAY qualify for temporary French exemption (verify with CFIA)
- ✅ Quebec-specific: Additional French-language requirements under Bill 96
Nutrition Facts Table Format
- Standard formats: Vertical (preferred), horizontal, linear (limited space)
- Based on "per serving" + % Daily Value for key nutrients
- Serving size must follow CFIA's Table of Reference Amounts
- Font size minimums: 8pt for standard tables, 6pt for limited space
Resources:
💅 Cosmetics & Personal Care (Health Canada)
Mandatory Label Information
- Product identity (e.g., "Moisturizing Lotion", "Shampoo")
- Net quantity (metric: mL, L, g, kg)
- Manufacturer/Importer name & address
- Ingredient list (INCI nomenclature, descending order by weight)
- Warnings (if applicable: "For external use only", "Keep out of reach of children")
- Directions for use (if misuse could cause harm)
Bilingual Requirements
- Product identity, net quantity, and dealer info must be bilingual (EN/FR)
- Ingredient list must use standardized INCI names (many are Latin/universal)
Claims & Marketing
- ❌ Cannot make drug-like claims ("cures acne", "reduces wrinkles") unless registered as Natural Health Product
- ✅ Allowed: "moisturizes", "cleanses", "conditions", "protects"
- ⚠️ "Natural", "Organic", "Hypoallergenic" are NOT regulated terms in cosmetics—use with caution
Resources:
💊 Natural Health Products (NHPDs)
When Registration Required
Products that make health claims (vitamins, minerals, herbal remedies, probiotics, homeopathic medicines) must:
- Obtain a Natural Product Number (NPN) or Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM) BEFORE sale
- Follow Health Canada's approved labelling based on product licence
Mandatory Label Elements
- Product name
- NPN or DIN-HM number (on principal display panel)
- Recommended use/purpose (as approved by Health Canada)
- Medicinal ingredients (list with quantities)
- Non-medicinal ingredients
- Dosage/directions
- Warnings & cautions
- Expiry date
Resources:
📦 Consumer Packaging & Labelling Act (General Products)
Applies to most prepackaged consumer products (non-food, non-cosmetic):
Required Information
- Product identity (common name in EN/FR)
- Net quantity (metric units)
- Dealer name & address (principal place of business in Canada)
Bilingual Requirement
- All required info must appear in English AND French
- Exemptions for test market products, specialty products
🏷️ Ontario-Specific Regulations
AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act)
If your product or service is accessible to the public in Ontario:
- Consider large, high-contrast fonts for readability
- Avoid colour as the ONLY method of conveying information
- Provide alternative formats upon request (Braille, large print, audio)
Weights & Measures (Measurement Canada)
- Net quantity declarations must comply with Measurement Canada standards
- Metric units mandatory (imperial optional as supplementary)
- Specific declaration formats for liquids, solids, counts
🚛 Shipping & Logistics Labels
Canada Post, UPS, Purolator Requirements
- Size: 4×6" standard for shipping labels
- Barcode: Readable, high-contrast, undamaged
- Address format: Recipient name, street, city, province code, postal code, phone
- Return address: Sender info in top-left corner
Amazon FBA (FNSKU Labels)
- Size: 3×4" for FNSKU labels
- Placement: Flat surface, away from seams, not covering product info
- Adhesive: Permanent (won't peel during transit or warehousing)
- Barcode compliance: Must scan reliably at Amazon fulfilment centres
Dangerous Goods (TDG)
If shipping hazardous materials (flammables, corrosives, batteries, aerosols):
- Follow Transport Canada TDG regulations
- Use standardized hazard symbols and UN numbers
- Proper shipping name, class, packing group required
🔍 Common Compliance Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Risk | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| English-only labels for national sale | CFIA fines, product recall | Add French translations to all mandatory fields |
| Missing allergen declarations | Consumer safety risk, lawsuits | Bold/highlight priority allergens in ingredient list |
| Making health claims without NPN | Health Canada enforcement, sales prohibition | Apply for NHP license OR remove therapeutic claims |
| Imperial-only net quantity | Measurement Canada violations | Use metric (mL, g, kg) as primary; imperial optional |
| Unreadable fine print | Non-compliance, consumer complaints | Minimum 1.6mm font height (≈6pt) for mandatory info |
| Outdated "Best Before" date | Retailer rejection, waste | Print dates dynamically or use "Date Printed" + shelf life |
✅ Pre-Launch Compliance Checklist
Before printing your labels, verify:
- ✅ All mandatory elements present (name, quantity, dealer, ingredients)
- ✅ Bilingual compliance (EN/FR) for national sale
- ✅ Metric units used for net quantity
- ✅ Allergens declared (if food)
- ✅ INCI nomenclature used (if cosmetic)
- ✅ NPN/DIN-HM displayed (if natural health product)
- ✅ No prohibited health claims (unless licensed)
- ✅ Font sizes meet minimum requirements (6-8pt+)
- ✅ Barcode scannable (if retail/shipping)
- ✅ Reviewed by compliance consultant or lawyer (for high-risk products)
🚀 Compliant Label Printing with Niagara Stands Out
We help Canadian businesses create labels that meet regulatory requirements:
- ✅ Compliance review included: We'll flag common issues before printing
- ✅ Bilingual layout assistance: Design help to fit EN/FR elegantly
- ✅ High-resolution proofs: Verify font sizes, barcode quality before production
- ✅ Material guidance: Recommend durable materials for compliance longevity
- ✅ Small batch testing: Start with 50-100 labels to validate compliance before scaling
→ Shop Compliant Label Options
Get Compliance Help
- 📧 Email: info@niagarastandsout.com — Send label draft for free compliance review
- 📞 Phone: 289-228-7021 — Speak with our production team
- 📍 Niagara Region: Same-day consultations available in Fort Erie, St. Catharines, Niagara Falls
- 🇨🇦 Canada-wide: We ship compliant labels to all provinces
🔗 Related Resources
📚 Official Government Resources
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
- Health Canada
- Consumer Product Safety (ISED)
- Transport Canada - Dangerous Goods
Last updated: January 2025 | Information subject to change—always verify with official sources before finalizing labels.
