Compare
Compare to the live page
Archived snapshot
Natural health products - Canada.ca
2025-04-18T14:22:33.163Z · legacy-hc-2025-04-21
ID 164794
Original URL ↗Live page
Live fetch
2026-01-31T12:35:47.320Z
Status: 200 · Type: text/html;charset=utf-8 · Bytes: 24605
Independent archive · Descriptive changes only; the live page is not archived. Cite the snapshot (/cite).
1 sections changed; 7 added; 9 removed (high-noise change)Main contentChange ratio: 96%+54 / -85 lines1 sections changed
High-noise change: may include navigation/footer updates.
Natural health products
Regulating Natural and Non-prescription Health Products: The Path Forward
Quick Facts
On this page
Health Canada regulates natural health products (NHPs) so that Canadians can have confidence that the products they use are safe, effective and of high quality.
Background
Labels are an important tool to assist Canadians in making informed health choices when selecting and using NHPs.
Red Tape Review
Health Canada has amended the
Natural health product regulatory modernization
Non-prescription drug regulatory modernization
Background
The Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate is the Canadian regulatory authority for natural health products (NHPs) and non-prescription drugs (NPDs). We authorize NHPs and NPDs for sale in Canada and ensure that Canadians have ready access to a wide range of products for which safety, efficacy and quality standards are in place.
Health Canada introduced the
Natural Health Products Regulations
, to make NHP product labels easier to read and understand. These changes support consumers in selecting and safely using NHPs. For more information and to access the supporting Labelling of Natural Health Products guidance document, visit
(NHPR) under the
What's new: Natural and non-prescription health products
Food and Drugs Act
For industry information about COVID-19, visit our
on January 1, 2004. The NHPR created a distinct category for NHPs with tailored rules. The goal of the regulations is to ensure safety, efficacy, and quality, while enabling consumer access to these products.
COVID-19 Disinfectants, sanitizers, cleaners and soaps
Health Canada has heard from some industry stakeholders that recent initiatives aimed at strengthening oversight of NHPs have increased regulatory burden, and do not align the level of regulatory oversight with the level of risk that the products represent.
section.
Health Canada regulates NPDs under the
Natural Health Products
Under the
Natural Health Products Regulations
, which came into effect on January 1, 2004, natural health products (
NHPs
) are defined as:
Probiotics
Herbal remedies
Vitamins and minerals
Homeopathic medicines
Traditional medicines such as traditional Chinese medicines
Other products like amino acids and essential fatty acids
What's New
Hard surface disinfectants and hand sanitizers (COVID-19)
Natural Health Products Online System
Licensed Natural Health Products Database
List of Site Licence Holders
Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development Report 2 – Natural Health Products
Health Canada responds to the Spring 2021 Report of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development
Features
What's new: Natural and non-prescription health products
Hard surface disinfectants and hand sanitizers (COVID-19)
Natural Health Products Online System
Licensed Natural Health Products Database
List of Site Licence Holders
Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development Report 2 – Natural Health Products
Health Canada responds to the Spring 2021 Report of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development
Natural health products must be safe to use and sold without a prescription. Products requiring a prescription are regulated under the
Food and Drug Regulations
.
(FDR), to ensure NPDs are safe to use and the benefits outweigh the risks to people in Canada. The FDR define how NPDs are regulated, including their:
For Consumers
safety
Caffeinated energy shots
efficacy
About Natural Health Products
quality
About Natural Health Product Regulation in Canada
labelling, and
Report a Side Effect (Adverse Reaction)
entry into the Canadian market.
Licensed Natural Health Products Database
The requirements set out in the FDR for NPDs are outdated and inflexible, with the same rules for both prescription and non-prescription drugs. These regulations may pose barriers to innovation and may be challenging for regulated parties to navigate.
Natural Health Products Ingredients Database
Red Tape Review
Contact the Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate
In July 2025, the government launched a
Stay Connected
Red Tape Review
For Industry
that called on departments and agencies to review their regulations, including how they are administered, and develop reports detailing their progress.
Forms, templates and guidance documents
On September 8, 2025, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada published a
Natural Health Products Online System
report on red tape reduction
– natural health product
that outlines the actions Health Canada is committed to taking for both NHPs and NPDs.
application forms
The changes will simplify both application requirements and post-authorization obligations for NHPs and NPDs. Industry will have more flexibility to meet their regulatory obligations. This approach will also encourage more products to be brought to the Canadian market and support flexible, risk-based post-authorization vigilance.
and guidelines
Ultimately the goals are to reduce barriers for businesses, foster innovation, and protect the health and safety of people in Canada.
Natural Health Product Licensing
We are focusing on advancing the policy and regulatory changes highlighted in the report and in the
–
Forward Regulatory Plan
Forms and templates
so that we can:
Natural Health Products Site Licensing
increase flexibility in requirements
–
ensure proportionate oversight
Forms
facilitate easier market access
Clinical Trials
reduce burden for industry and government
–
Natural health product regulatory modernization
Forms and templates
We plan to amend the NHPR to reduce regulatory burden for both industry and government, while maintaining a level of oversight that is proportionate to both risk and uncertainty.
Guidance Documents
Specifically we are:
- on all aspects of regulatory requirements for natural health products
introducing a simple registration process for certain NHPs
Guidance for Industry on Third-Party Issuance of international Trade Certificates
reducing pre-market requirements where post-market oversight is more appropriate
Information
introducing flexible risk-based vigilance requirements for all NHPs
Natural Health Product Licensing Bulletin
amending labelling requirements to allow more flexibility
The Natural Health Product Site Licensing Bulletin and Good Manufacturing Practices Inspection Bulletin
Non-prescription drug regulatory modernization
Fact Sheet
We plan to amend the FDR to introduce modern, flexible regulations for NPDs to fast-track their approval.
on Schedule A Health Claims for Natural Health Products
Specifically we are:
Licensed Natural Health Products Database
introducing simplified requirements introducing a simple registration process for certain NPDs
NNHPD
introducing flexible risk-based vigilance requirements
monographs
Related links
Self-care products regulation
What's new
How self-care products, including natural heath products, cosmetics and over-the-counter drugs, are regulated in Canada.
NHP applications and submissions
Classification of Products under the Food and Drugs Act (F&DA)
Natural health product licensing bulletin
Contact the Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate
Lists incorporated by reference
Health Canada's Role
The Program assesses all NHPs before allowing their sale in Canada. It also verifies that NHPs are properly manufactured (without contamination or incorrect ingredients). The Program monitors companies involved in NHPs to make sure they respect the
Natural Health Products Regulations
.
Page details
Date modified:
2025-12-30
2025-03-05