A Guide for Voluntary Recall of Consumer Products or Cosmetics in Canada

This guide provides general information that may assist manufacturers, importers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers of consumer products or cosmetics on how to complete an effective voluntary recall of their products which are available in the Canadian marketplace. This general information includes, among other things, descriptions of some activities that regulated parties are not required by law to implement.

The aim of this guide is to inform industry about some best practices they may want to follow when they have decided to voluntarily recall a consumer product or cosmetic in Canada. A voluntary recall is any corrective action, communicated to a consumer, taken post production to address consumer health or safety issues associated with a product that is negotiated with Health Canada; in contrast with a mandatory recall, which is carried out following the issuance of a mandatory recall order by Health Canada.

Content

1. Purpose

2. Introduction

3. Legislative requirements in Canada

4. What is a voluntary recall?

5. The voluntary recall process

6. Working with Health Canada

7. Frequently Asked Questions

8. Appendix

• Appendix A – Recall related links

• Appendix B – Recall checklist

• Appendix C – Health Canada Recall questions

• Appendix D – Level 1 Recall notice template – Health Canada

• Appendix E – Level 2 and 3 Recall notice template – Health Canada

• Appendix F – Level 2 and 3 Recall notice template – Joint Health Canada and CPSC

• Appendix G – Health Canada Order to Recall notice template

• Appendix H – Health Canada Regional Product Safety offices responsible for the United States of America and International countries