04/23/2026
For all of our hand and body products (soaps, body butters, rollers, etc) we submit Cosmetic Notification Forms (CNF) through Health Canada. It may take a few extra hours of work and late nights filling these out, but it is important for us to know that our products align with regulations in Canada, plus it's the law when selling soaps (and more). It is important for us soap makers to follow these rules so that we can ensure all our customers are safe and aware of all ingredients in our products, and any allergens that may be naturally present in essential oils (or fragrance oils but we don't use those in our products).
We are also proud members of the Handcrafted Bath & Body Guild and access our business insurance through their broker.
Recently in the news, a small business selling soaps had an ingredient that was on the hotlist and it resulted in a recall of ~400 bars of soap nationwide in Canada. The affected product was found to contain methyl eugenol, which is a prohibited ingredient on Health Canada’s Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist due to its potential carcinogenicity when above allowed limits — meaning it has evidence of causing cancer in lab studies and is therefore not permitted to be added to cosmetics as a pure ingredient.
https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/lake-woods-sunrise-soap-co-shades-grey-bars-soap-recalled-due-chemical-hazard
This is exactly why we do Cosmetic Notification Forms (CNFs) when selling bath & body products in Canada 👇
1️⃣ It’s the Law (Not Optional)
Under the Food and Drugs Act and Cosmetic Regulations, every cosmetic sold in Canada must be notified to Health Canada via a Cosmetic Notification Form (CNF) within 10 days of first sale.
This includes bath & body products, such as:
✔️ Soaps
✔️ Bath bombs, bubble bath
✔️ Body butters, lotions, scrubs
✔️ Hair & beard products
Selling without a CNF = non-compliance for any business, regardless of size or whether it’s home-based.
2️⃣ It Proves Your Product Is Ingredient-Compliant
When you file a CNF, you’re confirming that:
✔️ Every ingredient is permitted for cosmetic use in Canada
✔️ Usage levels stay within Health Canada’s established limits
✔️ You’re not using restricted or prohibited substances
👉 Without doing this, you might unknowingly include a banned ingredient (like methyl eugenol) and be liable for recalls or enforcement actions.
3️⃣ It Protects You if There’s a Complaint or Inspection
If a customer reports a reaction or Health Canada inspects your business:
✔️CNFs show you acted responsibly and professionally
✔️You have documented proof of what was in your product
✔️You lower the risk of fines, seizures, or forced recalls
Without a CNF, you’re automatically non-compliant even if your formula is safe.
4️⃣ It Builds Trust with Retailers & Customers
Many markets, wholesalers, and retailers won’t work with vendors who don’t have CNFs because it signals whether you understand regulatory compliance.
Having CNFs tells others:
✔️ You’re a legitimate business
✔️ You understand and follow regulations
✔️ You take safety seriously
5️⃣ It Helps You Stay Organized as You Grow
CNFs encourage good business habits long before you scale:
✔️Clean, accurate INCI ingredient lists
✔️Accurate product records
✔️Version control when formulas change
✔️Clear documentation across scents and variations
💡 Pro Tip:
Introducing a new scent? If it uses any fragrance or essential oils that weren’t listed on your original CNF, you’re required to submit a CNF amendment before selling. New scent = new ingredients = update your paperwork ✔️
6️⃣ It Reduces Risk of Recalls & Enforcement
Health Canada has the authority to:
✔️Remove products from sale
✔️Seize inventory
✔️Issue compliance letters or fines
✔️Force reformulation or relabeling
Most enforcement actions happen after complaints — but no CNF = automatic trouble.
7️⃣ It Shows You Take Safety Seriously
CNFs aren’t just red tape — they exist to:
❤️ Protect consumers
❤️ Ensure transparency
❤️ Prevent harmful ingredients from reaching the market
Filing a CNF says:
“I care about what goes on people’s skin.”
Maker-to-Maker Summary
If you sell bath & body products in Canada:
✔️ CNFs are mandatory
✔️ They protect you and your customers
✔️ They help you grow safely and professionally
✔️ They make your business legit
