Unique Chemical Regulations Impacting Canadian Manufacturers and Distributors
By: Kirsten Alcock, Manager of Product Safety, email
Happy Canada Day fellow Canadians! Today is a day that we celebrate all things Canadian whether it is our ability to survive our freezing cold temperatures in the winter to the rogue Canadian geese in the spring we refer to as ‘Cobra Chickens’. Our country is not only very unique in our environment that surrounds us but also in the regulations that impact us as well.
Canada shares a border with the United States and the trade of chemicals between the two countries is extensive. There are many products that go back and forth across the border and it is important to note that although we share a border, we are very different in our requirements.
Take for example our consumer legislation: The CCCR (Consumer Chemicals and Containers Regulations, 2001). Products that are intended for sale in Canada must comply with the CCCR regulations whereas US products are to comply with the CPSC regulations. The two regulations are very different and a product that is being sold into Canada must comply with our requirements. The CCCR provides Canadians with information to properly use and store hazardous products within their homes. These products, depending on the classification, will contain not only phrase and symbol requirements but there could be CRC (Child-resistant container) requirements as well.
Once a product has been classified for the CCCR, there are requirements depending on the classification. Each label may require:
- hazard symbols
- signal words
- primary hazard statements
- specific hazard statements
- negative instructions
- positive instructions
- first aid statement
Chemical consumer products include, but are not limited to, dishwashing detergents, general surface cleaners, air fresheners, reed diffusers, car care, floor maintenance and paints. These are common items you may find on the shelf of a retail store.
It is important to note that the consumer products I am referring to do not include products that require specific registrations, such as drugs, cosmetics, disinfectants, hand sanitizers, pesticides, and natural health products. These come under different regulations and again have their own specific unique requirements for Canada. Dell Tech can provide guidance on both registered and non-registered label requirements.
In addition to the unique label requirements, some larger box stores will request an SDS for the product although one is not necessarily required. Consumer products in Canada are exempt from the requirement to provide a SDS but they are still indeed being requested by larger corporations before they will stock your products on the shelves. This is happening more often than not these days. Not only can we help you with your label compliance, but we can help create a SDS that will meet the needs of the larger distributors that are requesting them for their workers.
The Dell Tech team of Scientific Regulatory Consultants has successfully reviewed thousands of consumer products for hundreds of clients over the last 40 years. Take the guesswork out of complicated Canadian Consumer Chemicals & Containers Regulations (CCCR) by using Dell Tech’s team of expert Regulatory Consultants. Dell Tech’s Retail Chemical Label Review will ensure your products have compliant labels when sold online and in Canadian stores. Contact Us today to get a quote for our service.
HOW DELL TECH CAN HELP:
- Prepare a CCCR retail label report for products intended for sale within Canada
- Prepare Health Canada Checklist for Classification and Record-Keeping for your Inspection
- Provide Amazon Vendor Compliance Reports
- Provide SDS in English/Canadian French and Spanish for Consumer Products
Contact:
Dell Tech
Kirsten Alcock, B.Sc. (Hons)
Manager, Product Safety Group
519-858-5074
kirsten@delltech.com
English (Canada) 
English (United States) 
