Get CNF-Ready: A Plain-Language Guide to Canada’s Cosmetic Notification Form

Written By Kari-Dadd Martin

If you want to sell a lotion, serum, or scrub in Canada, filing a Cosmetic Notification Form (CNF) with Health Canada is mandatory. This is the first compliance checkpoint before your products can legally enter the Canadian market.

For foreign brands, this step isn’t just a formality; it protects you from costly delays at customs, shelf removals, and damaged relationships with retailers.

Below, you’ll find a step-by-step guide to help you understand the CNF, avoid common mistakes, and prepare your brand for smooth Canadian market entry.

1 | What Exactly is the CNF?

Under Section 30 of Canada’s Cosmetic Regulations, every manufacturer or importer must notify Health Canada within 10 days of the first sale in Canada.

Failing to file a CNF can result in:

  • Import refusals at the border,

  • Products being pulled from store shelves,

  • Or being reported by competitors or consumers.

The CNF collects key information about your product, including:

  • Full INCI ingredient list (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients)

  • Concentration ranges or exact percentages

  • Contact details for the notifier, manufacturer, importer, and Canadian agent (if applicable)

  • First sale date and product classification (leave-on, rinse-off, area of use, etc.)

Pro Tip: If you don’t have a Canadian address or importer, you must appoint a Canadian Agent to act as Health Canada’s point of contact.

2 | Nine Sections You’ll Complete Online

The CNF is completed through Health Canada’s web-based form.
Important: The form cannot save drafts — prepare your data before starting.

The sections include:

  1. Notification Type – New, Amendment, or Discontinue

  2. Product Name & Variants – Include all variations under the same formula

  3. Notifier Information – Primary business or Canadian agent details

  4. Manufacturer / Importer / Labeller – Identify who makes and who sells

  5. Ingredients – INCI names with exact % or concentration ranges

  6. Attachments – Labels, safety data, or supporting files if requested

  7. Save Copy – For your internal records (you must keep these for 3 years)

  8. Submit & Certify – Digital certification of accuracy

  9. Amend or Discontinue Later – For updates or product removal

3 | The Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist: Your Gatekeeper

Health Canada’s Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist is a dynamic list of prohibited and restricted ingredients.

If you submit a CNF containing:

  • A restricted ingredient above the legal limit, OR

  • A restricted ingredient missing a mandatory warning,

Your CNF will be rejected immediately.

Example:

IngredientStatusRestrictionSalicylic AcidRestricted≤ 0.5% leave-on, warning for sun sensitivity required

Pro Tip: The Hotlist was last updated in March and April 2025.
Double-check your formulas before submission.

4 | Five Common Mistakes to Avoid

These errors are the most frequent causes of CNF rejection and costly delays:

  1. Incorrect INCI Order

    • Ingredients under 1% listed out of descending order.

  2. Therapeutic Claims

    • Words like “heals eczema” or “treats acne” can reclassify your cosmetic as a drug, requiring a separate approval process.

  3. Outdated Hotlist Limits

    • Submitting with old restrictions can cause immediate rejection.

  4. Missing Canadian Address

    • Every CNF must include a Canadian contact — this can be your importer or your appointed Canadian Agent.

  5. No First-Sale Date

    • The form will not submit without this date.

5 | How Curated & Regulated Supports Your Brand

Bringing your products to Canada can be complex — especially if you’re managing multiple SKUs or sales channels.
We help foreign brands simplify compliance with clear, actionable services:

  • Ingredient & Label Review: Ensure your INCI lists, labels, and claims meet Canadian requirements before submission.

  • Claims Tune-Up: Refine marketing language to prevent misclassification issues.

  • CNF Master File Creation: Build a single, verified file for all importers and retailers to ensure consistency.

  • Canadian Agent Services: Act as your official point of contact, file CNFs, and maintain records for 3 years.

Our goal is to prevent rejections and delays — so you can focus on growth.

6 | Your Next Steps

Here’s how to get started:

  1. Book a CNF Review

    • Identify compliance gaps and create a verified CNF master file.

  2. Appoint a Canadian Agent (if needed)

    • Required for brands without a Canadian office or importer.

Final Word

Filing a CNF isn’t just a regulatory step; it’s your brand’s passport to the Canadian market.

By preparing your data, understanding the Hotlist, and working with a compliance partner, you can avoid delays, protect your brand’s reputation, and start selling with confidence.

Kari-Dadd Martin