Product Licensing & Regulatory Submissions in Canada

Bringing consumer health products to market in Canada requires careful navigation of Health Canada’s regulatory frameworks. Whether you are launching a Natural Health Product (NHP), Veterinary Health Product (VHP), or cosmetic, each category has distinct requirements for licensing, notification, and labelling compliance.

At Nexus NHP, we provide end-to-end regulatory support to help companies secure the necessary approvals efficiently and compliantly—reducing delays and enabling faster market access.

Natural Health Product (NHP) Licensing – NPN Applications

Natural Health Products—including vitamins, minerals, herbal remedies, probiotics, and other supplements—must receive a Natural Product Number (NPN) before they can be sold in Canada.

Obtaining an NPN requires the preparation and submission of a Product Licence Application (PLA) to Health Canada. This process involves detailed assessment of product ingredients, safety, efficacy, recommended use, and label compliance.

Nexus NHP supports clients through every stage of the NHP licensing process, including:

  • Product classification and regulatory strategy

  • Preparation and submission of Product Licence Applications (PLAs)

  • Ingredient and formulation review

  • Claims and evidence support

  • Label review and compliance

  • Response to Health Canada information requests

Our goal is to streamline the approval process while ensuring your product meets all regulatory requirements from the outset.

Veterinary Health Product (VHP) Notification – NN Applications

Veterinary Health Products are low-risk products intended for use in animals, such as supplements, grooming products, and certain health supports. Unlike NHPs, VHPs require a notification rather than full pre-market approval.

To legally market a VHP in Canada, companies must obtain a Notification Number (NN) through Health Canada’s notification program.

Nexus NHP provides comprehensive support for VHP notifications, including:

  • Product classification and eligibility assessment

  • Preparation and submission of VHP notification dossiers

  • Ingredient verification against permitted substance lists

  • Label review for compliance with VHP requirements

  • Regulatory guidance on claims and positioning

We help ensure your product is accurately positioned and compliant with Health Canada expectations.

Cosmetic Notification – Cosmetic Number (CN)

Cosmetics—including skincare, personal care, and beauty products—must be notified to Health Canada within 10 days of first sale in Canada. This is done through the submission of a Cosmetic Notification Form (CNF), resulting in a Cosmetic Number (CN).

While cosmetics do not require pre-market approval, companies are responsible for ensuring product safety and compliance with the Food and Drugs Act and Cosmetic Regulations, including ingredient restrictions and proper labelling.

Nexus NHP supports cosmetic companies with:

  • Cosmetic classification and regulatory assessment

  • Preparation and submission of Cosmetic Notification Forms (CNFs)

  • Ingredient review against the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist

  • Labelling compliance and claims review

  • Ongoing regulatory support and risk mitigation

Labelling Compliance Across All Product Categories

Labelling is a critical component of regulatory compliance for NHPs, VHPs, and cosmetics. Non-compliant labels are a leading cause of delays, refusals, and enforcement actions.

Nexus NHP provides expert label review and compliance support to ensure your products meet all applicable Health Canada requirements, including:

  • Mandatory label elements and formatting

  • Claims and marketing language compliance

  • Ingredient disclosure and nomenclature

  • Bilingual (English/French) requirements

  • Alignment with approved product licences or notifications

Your Partner in Regulatory Success

Whether you are launching a new product or managing an existing portfolio, Nexus NHP provides the expertise and strategic guidance needed to navigate Canada’s regulatory landscape with confidence.

We combine deep technical knowledge with a practical, business-focused approach—helping you achieve compliance while keeping your commercial objectives in focus.

Contact us to discuss your product licensing and regulatory needs.