Report an incident involving a consumer product or cosmetic
CCPSA mandatory incident reporting advice during the COVID-19 pandemic
The Consumer Product Safety Program (CPSP) of Health Canada is aware of these challenging and difficult times in light of COVID-19. Health Canada understands that industry is facing a number of challenges related to COVID-19 and as a result may be facing unusual pressures concerning their mandatory incident reporting requirements under Section 14 of the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA).
The following provides clarification information related to:
- Timelines for the determination of awareness during COVID-19
- Subsection 14(2) reporting
- Subsection 14(3) reporting and extension requests
Timelines for the determination of awareness during COVID-19
Health Canada's online guidance recommends up to two days for the determination of awareness from when industry first hears about an event to when industry decides it is an incident or not. We understand that industry may not be able to review new or existing events to determine if they are reportable under the CCPSA (i.e., to determine "awareness") within this period given the circumstances. While CPSP understands that it may take more time, we encourage industry to continue to make best efforts to evaluate events within a reasonable timeframe and practice due diligence in identifying health and safety risks.
Subsection 14(2) reporting
While awareness may take longer than usual, for any events that are determined to be 'incidents' under subsection 14(1) of the CCPSA, CPSP continues to expect the subsection 14(2) incident report within 2 days after this "awareness". The subsection 14(2) report serves as an important, early indication of a possible incident to Health Canada. We ask that industry make best efforts under the circumstances to respect this timeframe. When doing so, please submit all of the information in your control related to the incident. We understand that at the time of submitting a subsection 14(2) report, it is possible that you may not be in possession of all details (for example, you may not be fully certain of all aspects or details of what happened). CPSP does not expect industry to conduct a complete investigation or wait for absolute certainty when submitting the subsection 14(2) report.
Subsection 14(3) reporting and extension requests
As it relates to the subsection 14(3) reporting (and the 10-day legislated timeframe), we recognize given the circumstances that an investigation may be unusually challenging. Should you expect the need for an extension, CPSP would note that an extension request can be made at the time of submittal of the subsection 14(2) report (or as soon as possible). Please use the online reporting form (linked below) and the existing 14(3) extension process detailed in section 6.2 of the online guidance for details on how to submit those requests:
As always, we continue to encourage any reporting industry members to communicate with CPSP officials on any changes related to your business operations. Please specify these details in your report(s) to the Program, or directly to the Program via:
For further guidance on incident reporting, please visit:
Learn what to report to us and how to report it. Your information helps us monitor the safety of products and could prevent the same thing from happening to others.
On this page
Consumer reporting
Report a problem with a consumer product or cosmetic if any of the following situations have occurred:
- Injury or death
- Defective product
- Damaged property
- Issue with product labelling or instruction
To submit a report, you will be asked to provide the following information:
- Your contact information
- The date and type of incident
- A description of what happened
- Where you got the product
- The product's brand, name and description
- The type of injury that occurred and any treatment that was needed
- Any photos of the product, product labels and damage caused
Note: Health Canada publishes recalls on the Recalls and Safety Alerts website. You do not need to submit a report to notify Health Canada about a recall that is already published there.
The personal information you provide is protected under the Privacy Act.
Your personal information is only shared if you have given your consent in the form, unless the disclosure is required or otherwise authorized by law.
Help with forms
Information is available if you need help submitting your form.
What happens after you submit your report
- We deal with reports involving more serious health and safety risks first.
- A case number will be assigned. This case number will be referenced if we need to communicate with you for any reason.
- If we're not the right organization to deal with your report, we'll direct you to the correct one. We can forward your report to the right place, but only with your permission.
- If further actions are needed, we will follow compliance and enforcement policies and procedures.
Industry reporting
Under section 14 of the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, industry must report health or safety incidents involving a consumer product.
Industry is encouraged to voluntarily report health or safety issues involving a cosmetic.
Industry should send detailed information including:
- Product information
- product brand and name
- description of product
- where you got the product (store or other)
- age recommendation on the product packaging
- numbers on the product or product packaging
- serial number
- model number
- Universal Product Code (UPC)
- date of manufacture or import
- date the product was purchased
- address where the product was manufactured or imported from
- Incident information
- who was injured
- what was the injury
- date of the incident
- description of the incident
- what type of medical care was received
What happens after you submit your report
- We deal with reports involving more serious health and safety risks first.
- A case number will be assigned. This case number will be referenced if we need to communicate with you for any reason.
- If we're not the right organization to deal with your report, we'll direct you to the correct one. We can forward your report to the right place, but only with your permission.
- If further actions are needed, we will follow compliance and enforcement policies and procedures.
Fire and safety authority reporting
Provincial, territorial and municipal authorities such as fire officials and electrical safety regulators can report a safety issue with a consumer product involved in any of the following situations:
- Fire, smoke, or overheating
- Shock or electrocution
- Gas leak
- Activated smoke or carbon monoxide alarms
- Carbon monoxide detection
- Product defect
- Other incident types
To submit a report, you will be asked to provide the following information:
- The date and type of incident
- A description of what happened
- The product's brand, name, description and certification marks
- Your contact information
Please fill out as much of the information requested as possible and upload any documents/photos which may be of value.
What happens after you submit your report
- We deal with reports involving more serious health and safety risks first.
- A case number will be assigned. This case number will be referenced if we need to communicate with you for any reason.
- If we're not the right organization to deal with your report, we'll direct you to the correct one. We can forward your report to the right place, but only with your permission.
- If further actions are needed, we will follow compliance and enforcement policies and procedures.
Contact us
Email: cps-spc@hc-sc.gc.ca or
Incident Report - Consumer and Hazardous Products Safety Directorate
Health Canada
269 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, ON, Canada
K1A 0K9
Address Locator: 4909A
For more information
To report another type of product or issue, select the category below or view all forms:
Report a problem on this page
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