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Consumer Product Safety

Canadian Law for Consumer Chemicals: What Retailers Need to Know

2008
ISBN: 978-0-662-48482-0
Cat. No.: H128-1/08-526E
HC Pub.: 4025

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Zoom Cleaner Danger Poison

In Canada, consumer chemicals and the containers designed to hold or dispense them must meet the requirements of the Hazardous Products Act (HPA) and the Consumer Chemicals and Containers Regulations, 2001 (CCCR, 2001)1. Consumer chemical products and containers that do not meet these requirements cannot be imported, advertised or sold in Canada.

Harmful Contents - Keep out of Reach of Children Label

Many consumer chemicals, such as aerosols, household cleaners and automotive products, are required to have one or more of the hazard symbols (see above) on their front label. These products may also have first aid treatment information printed within a border on the back label. Pressurized containers must be labelled with the appropriate triangular symbol because of the explosive hazard they pose.

In addition to these labelling elements, products classified as toxic, corrosive or as quick skin-bonding adhesives are required to be in child-resistant containers because of the high degree of hazard they present.

Products DO NOT comply if:
  • symbols are missing or are different from those shown above;
  • symbols are on the back or side of the product;
  • first aid treatment information is not clearly identified with a border or a different design / colour;
  • instructions are not in both official languages, English and French.

As a retailer, you are responsible for ensuring that any consumer chemicals you sell meet the requirements of the CCCR, 2001.

Health Canada regularly checks the marketplace for non-compliant products and strongly recommends that all retailers contact their suppliers to confirm that the products they purchase are in compliance with the CCCR, 2001. As a person responsible in the chain of sale, you could bear the cost of relabelling, repackaging or destroying any items that do not comply with the CCCR, 2001.

Please contact your supplier if you are unsure whether or not a product meets the CCCR, 2001 requirements. If you have any questions regarding the HPA or the CCCR, 2001 please contact your nearest Product Safety Office at:

Additional Resources

Health Canada Publications for Consumers

Publications for Industry


1 Workplace chemical products, pest control products, drugs, foods and cosmetics have different labelling requirements. Consult the Web site for more info: www.healthcanada.gc.ca

Date Modified: 2008-12-03

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