On February 25, 2027, Health Canada announced a Notice of Intent to introduce a Ministerial Order that would temporarily exempt certain Natural Health Products (NHPs) from specific labelling provisions set to take effect in June 2025. This proposal aims to address implementation challenges faced by the industry while maintaining consumer access to clear and consistent product information.
Background on Plain Language Labelling for NHPs
In June 2022, Health Canada amended the Natural Health Products Regulations to enhance the clarity, consistency, and legibility of NHP labels. The primary goal was to provide consumers with the necessary information to make safe and informed choices regarding NHPs. The new Plain Language Labelling regulations for NHPs are scheduled to come into force on June 21, 2025, requiring newly licensed NHPs to comply immediately, while existing products have until June 21, 2028, to meet the new standards.
Industry Challenges and Proposed Exemptions
Following the publication of these regulations, industry stakeholders have reported difficulties in implementing the new labelling requirements. Challenges include fitting all mandated information on labels without compromising readability, especially for products with numerous ingredients or extensive risk statements.
In response, Health Canada is proposing a Ministerial Order that would:
- Exempt NHPs licensed between June 21, 2025, and June 21, 2028, from new labelling provisions.
- Allow these products to comply with either the previous or new labelling requirements during this period.
This temporary measure aims to provide the industry with additional time to adapt while ensuring that consumer protection objectives are met.
Ongoing Consultations and Next Steps
Health Canada is actively engaging with stakeholders to identify practical solutions to these labelling challenges. Efforts include exploring alternative flexibilities, simplified requirements, and the enhanced use of digital labelling to support better consumer outcomes. These consultations are expected to continue through spring 2025.
The proposed Ministerial Order serves as a temporary measure to maintain market access and consumer choice while the Department finalizes guidance and tools necessary to support the full implementation of the new labelling requirements.
For more detailed information, please refer to Health Canada’s official Notice of Intent.
Visit Natural Health Product Regulations and NPN Licensing in Canada to learn more about Natural Health Product Regulations.
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