Canada Cosmetics Rule: No ‘Responsible Person (RP)’ Label, No Market Access.

When selling cosmetics in Canada, many sellers mistakenly believe that “RP labeling” is merely a recommendation. However, according to Health Canada regulations, cosmetic labels must include Responsible Person (RP) information. Without this information, your products can be held at customs or removed from sale. In particular, Amazon FBA may refuse to accept or suspend sales of any products that fail to comply with labeling requirements. This means missing the RP can be a critical barrier to launching your products in the Canadian market.

What is an RP, and why is it necessary?

An RP (Responsible Person) is the legal entity in Canada responsible for the safety and regulatory compliance of the cosmetic product. Under Health Canada’s Cosmetic Regulations, all cosmetic labels must display the company name, address (a Canadian

address where the RP can be contacted), and phone number so that consumers can reach out with questions or in case of issues. It is recommended that this information be presented in both English and French. This requirement ensures that product recalls, adverse reaction reports, and regulatory reviews can be handled quickly. Products without RP information are considered non-compliant and may be detained at customs or prohibited from sale.

Health Canada Cosmetic Regulations – Original Text

Section 20. (1) The label of a cosmetic must include:(a) the name and address of the manufacturer and distributor;(b) if the cosmetic is not manufactured in Canada, the name and address of the importer;(c) the information referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) must be in both official languages (English and French) or be available through other means acceptable to the Minister.

In other words, the name and address of the manufacturer or importer (a Responsible Person with a contactable address in Canada) must be displayed, and the default requirement is to provide this in both of Canada’s official languages — English and French. This is the RP information, which serves as the legal point of contact for consumers in the event of a problem.

✅ Real Case Example

Recently, a Korean cosmetic brand attempted to send 1,200 units of skincare products to Amazon FBA in Toronto. However, their product labels did not display RP information in both English and French. As a result, the shipment was held at customs. Health Canada required relabeling, and the products had to be returned for rework, causing a three-week delay and approximately $2,800 in additional costs. The brand had prior sales experience in Europe but had not realized that Canada’s RP labeling requirements differ from those in the EU — a costly oversight.

✅ Cosmetic RP Label Compliance Checklist

1. Responsible Person details – Company name, address, and contact information in both English and French

2. Product name and intended use – Clearly understandable to consumers

3. Ingredient list (INCI) – Use international nomenclature; highlight any allergenic substances separately

4. Storage and usage warnings – Use pictograms where appropriate

5. Batch/LOT number and expiry date – Mandatory for traceability

✅ Trufulfillment Insight

Trufulfillment inspects all cosmetics before arrival to confirm RP labeling, ingredient list format, and bilingual compliance. For sellers unfamiliar with Canadian import requirements, we offer label revision and relabeling services in full compliance with Health Canada regulations. Using our Toronto and Niagara warehouses, we can apply compliant labels on-site to ensure 100% FBA acceptance.

✅ Summary

The RP label is not just a “name tag” — it is a core legal requirement for selling cosmetics in Canada. Missing this detail can result in customs delays and significant rework costs. Trufulfillment supports sellers with end-to-end services, from cosmetic import compliance to labeling and FBA delivery, ensuring your product launch stays on schedule.

👉 Get the details now — contact Trufulfillment (support@trufulfillment.ca)