Launching a Beauty Brand in Canada: 7 Must-Know Criteria for Early-Stage Founders
Entering the Canadian beauty and personal care market is an exciting step, but ultra-early-stage founders face a unique set of requirements. Here’s what you need to know to build a compliant, retail-ready, and scalable brand from day one.
1. Bilingual French & English Packaging: It’s the Law
Requirement: All consumer-facing packaging must include French and English.
Why: Both federal and Quebec laws mandate bilingual labelling for all products sold in Canada.
Tips:
Translate all mandatory content (ingredients, instructions, warnings, claims).
Use professional translation services—errors can delay or block retail listings.
Ensure both languages are equally prominent and legible.
2. Health Canada Product Submission & Compliance
Cosmetics: File a Cosmetic Notification Form (CNF) for each SKU before selling.
Natural Health Products: Obtain a Natural Product Number (NPN) if applicable.
Key Steps:
Check your ingredients against the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist.
Keep documentation on product claims, safety, and manufacturing.
Be audit-ready: set up traceability and recall protocols.
3. GS1 Registered Barcodes: Non-Negotiable for Retail
What: Unique, GS1-certified barcodes are required for every product. This includes a company being issued a unique prefix.
Why: Major retailers and distributors will not accept non-GS1 or generic barcodes.
Action: Register directly with GS1 Canada to ensure authenticity and avoid future relabelling costs.
4. Retail-Ready Packaging: Beyond Aesthetics
Requirements:
Durable and tamper-evident.
Meets shelf or peg display standards.
Includes all regulatory information (INCI, expiry, batch code, etc.).
Best Practice: Test packaging with small retailers before scaling up to national accounts.
5. Category Cohesiveness: Focus Wins
Strategy: Launch with a single, tightly defined product category (e.g., just skincare or just haircare).
Benefits:
Builds brand authority and trust. Alows shelf space merchandising, without dilution.
Simplifies inventory and marketing.
Makes it easier for retailers to slot your brand, and for buyers to make a decision on adding your brand to the assortment.
6. Margin, Pricing & Supply Chain Readiness
Margins: Target a gross margin of 50%+ to cover wholesale distributor, and retailer pricing.
Supply Chain: Secure reliable suppliers, understand MOQs, and plan for lead times.
Labelling: Include all mandatory info—“Made in Canada,” cautionary statements, expiry dates.
7. Other Early-Stage Essentials
Product Testing: Run stability, safety, and efficacy tests before launch.
Brand Positioning: Clearly define your USP (e.g., cruelty-free, B Corp, natural) and ensure claims are substantiated.
Digital Presence: Secure your brand name across domains and social platforms, even if retail is your main channel.
Retailer Collateral: Prepare a professional sales deck, high-quality product images, and samples for outreach.
Bonus: Build Industry Relationships Early
Network: Attend trade shows, join founder communities, and seek out mentorship.
Feedback: Early input from buyers and peers helps you avoid costly mistakes and pivot quickly.
In Summary
Building a beauty or personal care brand in Canada takes more than a great product. Early attention to compliance, packaging, and focused category strategy will set you up for successful retail partnerships and sustainable, long term growth.
Ready to launch or need tailored support?
AWIA specializes in guiding founders through every stage of the journey—from regulatory compliance to retail partnerships. Contact us for a discovery call or strategy session.
