Policies
The Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD) has changed its name to the Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD) subsequent to its recently expanded mandate to include the oversight of non-prescription and disinfectant drugs in addition to natural health products (NHPs). Please note that we are currently modifying documents to reflect this change.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
The Natural Health Products Regulations came into effect on January 1, 2004, and apply to all natural health products (NHPs) as of that date. Health Canada has continued to work with Canadians and government bodies to bring about a smooth implementation of the Regulations. The desire of consumers to have access to NHPs was balanced with the need to ensure their safety and efficacy as we developed the following compliance approach:
Compliance Policies
Other Policies
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizers in beverage and food containers: Packaging and labelling requirements to reduce unintentional ingestion risk
- Management of Product Licence Applications (PLA) for Natural Health Products
- Natural Health Product Compounding Policy - Health Canada has taken the initiative to update this policy to better clarify the activity of compounding. This consultation opened on May 13, 2026, and closes on July 12, 2026.
- Natural Health Product Raw Material Policy - Health Canada has taken the initiative to update this policy to better clarify the raw material definition. This consultation opened on May 13, 2026, and closes on July 12, 2026. For additional information regarding NHPs, please contact the Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD).
- Information about nanotechnology-based health products and food.