Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Spring Regulatory Workshop! Almost 100 participants, including 25 Health Canada representatives, joined the in-person event that took place in Ottawa on April 15-16. CA’s semi-annual Regulatory Workshops are said to be one of the most valuable services CA offers, providing members with regulatory updates and strategic insights on the critical issues that affect our industry. Government officials, expert speakers, and CA staff guide attendees through the changing regulatory landscape and many compliance challenges that affect your business. Our next Regulatory Workshop will be a virtual event scheduled for November 18-19, 2026. Don’t miss out!
Day 1 featured an engaging Health Canada Directors General Panel discussion on Health Canada’s Red Tape Reduction Initiative, featuring Stephen Norman (DG of NNHPD), Dennis Price (DG of CHPSD), and Kim Godard (DG of HPCD). A major highlight of this discussion was the NNHPD’s announcement of the Ministerial Exemption Order for sunscreen actives. This exemption – a key component of the Red Tape Reduction Initiative – is a monumental milestone for our association, as it is a policy change we have been strenuously advocating for on behalf of our members.
The afternoon continued with a comprehensive update on the review and assessment of Natural Health Products from the NNHPD, alongside critical policy updates from the Consumer & Hazardous Products Directorate.
In a historic first, the Canadian Surveillance System for Poison Information (CSSPI) joined our workshop. They delivered an insightful presentation on their mission and operational scope, expressing a keen interest in partnering with our sector. This marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration as we explore how our industries can align for mutual benefit and consumer safety.The day concluded with a forward-looking presentation from Serguei Tchertok of Univar Solutions regarding opportunities to drive value through sustainable supply chains.
Day 2, CA’s popular Member Engagement Session, shifted the focus to an interactive dialogue with CA President Darren Praznik and former MP and CA advisor, Joe Jordan (Bluesky Strategy) in which they “unpacked” Health Canada’s Red Tape Reduction Initiative and discussed how to advance CA’s Regulatory Modernization agenda. They also discussed how best to navigate Ottawa and regulator bureaucracy amidst the current challenges our country faces, most notably trade wars and tariffs.
Following our member engagement session, we hosted our inaugural New Technical Orientation on Actives. This session focused on innovative active ingredients that can be leveraged from trusted jurisdictions. The timing was particularly strategic, as it helped prepare our members for the NNHPD’s announcement the day before regarding the Ministerial Exemption Order on sunscreen actives.
Thank you to all of our wonderful speakers and those who attended and contributed! And congratulations to our “colour- theme warriors” Harry Cape from Groupe Marcelle and Laurie-Ann Willett from Chanel.
Our next Regulatory Workshop is planned for Fall 2026 which will be held as a virtual event on November 18-19, 2026. Details to come!
