Canada Consumer Product Safety Act

An Act respecting the safety of consumer products Preamble Whereas the Parliament of Canada recognizes the objective of protecting the public by addressing dangers to human health or safety that are posed by consumer products; Whereas the Parliament of Canada recognizes that the growing number of consumer products that flow across the borders of an increasingly global marketplace make the realization of that objective a challenge; Whereas the Parliament of Canada recognizes that along with the Government of Canada, individuals and suppliers of consumer products have an important role to play in addressing dangers to human health or safety that are posed by consumer products; Whereas the Parliament of Canada wishes to foster cooperation within the Government of Canada, between the governments in this country and with foreign governments and international organizations, in particular by sharing information, in order to effectively address those dangers; Whereas the Parliament of Canada recognizes that, given the impact activities with respect to consumer products may have on the environment, there is a need to create a regulatory system regarding consumer products that is complementary to the regulatory system regarding the environment; Whereas the Parliament of Canada recognizes that a lack of full scientific certainty is not to be used as a reason for postponing measures that prevent adverse effects on human health if those effects could be serious or irreversible; And whereas the Parliament of Canada recognizes that the application of effective measures to encourage compliance with the federal regulatory system for consumer products is key to addressing the dangers to human health or safety posed by those products; Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows: Short title This Act may be cited as the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act. Definitions The following definitions apply in this Act. advertisement includes a representation by any means for the purpose of promoting directly or indirectly the sale of a consumer product. (publicité) analyst means an individual designated as an analyst under section 29 or under section 28 of the Food and Drugs Act. (analyste) article to which this Act or the regulations apply means a consumer product; anything used in the manufacturing, importation, packaging, storing, advertising, selling, labelling, testing or transportation of a consumer product; or a document that is related to any of those activities or a consumer product. (article visé par la présente loi ou les règlements) confidential business information — in respect of a person to whose business or affairs the information relates — means business information that is not publicly available; in respect of which the person has taken measures that are reasonable in the circumstances to ensure that it remains not publicly available; and that has actual or potential economic value to the person or their competitors because it is not publicly available and its disclosure would result in a material financial loss to the person or a material financial gain to their competitors. (renseignements commerciaux confidentiels) consumer product means a product, including its components, parts or accessories, that may reasonably be expected to be obtained by an individual to be used for non-commercial purposes, including for domestic, recreational and sports purposes, and includes its packaging. (produit de consommation) danger to human health or safety means any unreasonable hazard — existing or potential — that is posed by a consumer product during or as a result of its normal or foreseeable use and that may reasonably be expected to cause the death of an individual exposed to it or have an adverse effect on that individual’s health — including an injury — whether or not the death or adverse effect occurs immediately after the exposure to the hazard, and includes any exposure to a consumer product that may reasonably be expected to have a chronic adverse effect on human health. (danger pour la santé ou la sécurité humaines) document means anything on which information that is capable of being understood by a person, or read by a computer or other device, is recorded or marked. (document) government means any of the following or their institutions: the federal government; a corporation named in Schedule III to the Financial Administration Act; a provincial government or a public body established under an Act of the legislature of a province; an aboriginal government as defined in subsection 13(3) of the Access to Information Act; a government of a foreign state or of a subdivision of a foreign state; or an international organization of states. (administration) import means to import into Canada. (importer) inspector means an individual designated as an inspector under subsection 19(2). (inspecteur) manufacture includes produce, formulate, repackage and prepare, as well as recondition for sale. (fabrication) Minister means the Minister of Health. (ministre) person means an individual or an organization as defined in section 2 of the Criminal Code. (personne) personal information has the same meaning as in section 3 of the Privacy Act. (renseignements personnels) prescribed means prescribed by regulation. (Version anglaise seulement) review officer means an individual designated as a review officer under section 34. (réviseur) sell includes offer for sale, expose for sale or have in possession for sale — or distribute to one or more persons, whether or not the distribution is made for consideration — and includes lease, offer for lease, expose for lease or have in possession for lease. (vente) storing does not include the storing of a consumer product by an individual for their personal use. (entreposage) Purpose The purpose of this Act is to protect the public by addressing or preventing dangers to human health or safety that are posed by consumer products in Canada, including those that circulate within Canada and those that are imported. Consumer products This Act applies to consumer products with the exception of those listed in Schedule 1. Tobacco products This Act does not apply to a tobacco product as defined in section 2 of the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act, except in respect of the ignition propensity of that product; and the devices and parts referred to in that definition. For greater certainty — devices and parts made of tobacco For greater certainty, the devices and parts referred to in paragraph (2)(b) do not include those made in whole or in part of tobacco. Natural health products For greater certainty, this Act does not apply to natural health products as defined in subsection 1(1) of the Natural Health Products Regulations made under the Food and Drugs Act. [Repealed, 2018, c. 9, s. 75] Consumer products in Schedule 2 No person shall manufacture, import, advertise or sell a consumer product listed in Schedule 2. Products that do not meet regulatory requirements No person shall manufacture, import, advertise or sell a consumer product that does not meet the requirements set out in the regulations. Manufacturer and importer No manufacturer or importer shall manufacture, import, advertise or sell a consumer product that is a danger to human health or safety; is the subject of a recall order made under section 31 or such an order that is reviewed under section 35 or is the subject of a voluntary recall in Canada because the product is a danger to human health or safety; or is the subject of a measure that the manufacturer or importer has not carried out but is required to carry out under an order made under section 32 or such an order that is reviewed under section 35. Advertising and selling No person shall advertise or sell a consumer product that they know is the subject of a measure that has not been carried out but is required to be carried out under an order made under section 32 or such an order that is reviewed under section 35. Misleading claims — package or label No person shall package or label a consumer product in a manner — including one that is false, misleading or deceptive — that may reasonably be expected to create an erroneous impression regarding the fact that it is not a danger to human health or safety; or in a manner that is false, misleading or deceptive regarding its certification related to its safety or its compliance with a safety standard or the regulations. Misleading claims — advertise or sell No person shall advertise or sell a consumer product that they know is advertised, packaged or labelled in a manner referred to in section 9. False or misleading information No person shall knowingly provide the Minister with false or misleading information in relation to a matter under this Act or the regulations. Tests, studies and information The Minister may, by written notice, order any person who manufactures or imports a consumer product for commercial purposes to conduct tests or studies on the product in order to obtain the information that the Minister considers necessary to verify compliance or prevent non-compliance with this Act or the regulations; compile any information that the Minister considers necessary to verify compliance or prevent non-compliance with this Act or the regulations; and provide him or her with the documents that contain that information and the results of the tests or studies in the time and manner that the Minister specifies. Requirement Any person who manufactures, imports, advertises, sells or tests a consumer product for commercial purposes shall prepare and maintain documents that indicate in the case of a retailer, the name and address of the person from whom they obtained the product and the location where and the period during which they sold the product, and in the case of any other person, the name and address of the person from whom they obtained the product or to whom they sold it, or both, as applicable; and the prescribed documents. Period for keeping documents The person shall keep the documents until the expiry of six years after the end of the year to which they relate or for any other period that may be prescribed. Keeping and providing documents in Canada The person shall keep the documents at their place of business in Canada or at any prescribed place and shall, on written request, provide the Minister with them. Exemption — outside Canada The Minister may, subject to any terms and conditions that he or she may specify, exempt a person from the requirement to keep documents in Canada if the Minister considers it unnecessary or impractical for the person to keep them in Canada. Importation A person who imports a consumer product for commercial purposes shall, no later than at the time of the product’s importation, provide the Minister with those documents referred to in paragraph (1)(b) that are specified in the regulations. Definition of incident In this section, incident means, with respect to a consumer product, an occurrence in Canada or elsewhere that resulted or may reasonably have been expected to result in an individual’s death or in serious adverse effects on their health, including a serious injury; a defect or characteristic that may reasonably be expected to result in an individual’s death or in serious adverse effects on their health, including a serious injury; incorrect or insufficient information on a label or in instructions — or the lack of a label or instructions — that may reasonably be expected to result in an individual’s death or in serious adverse effects on their health, including a serious injury; or a recall or measure that is initiated for human health or safety reasons by a foreign entity, a provincial government, a public body that is established under an Act of the legislature of a province, an aboriginal government as defined in subsection 13(3) of the Access to Information Act, or an institution of an entity referred to in subparagraphs (ii) to (iv). Requirement to provide information A person who manufactures, imports or sells a consumer product for commercial purposes shall provide the Minister and, if applicable, the person from whom they received the consumer product with all the information in their control regarding any incident related to the product within two days after the day on which they become aware of the incident. Report The manufacturer of the consumer product, or if the manufacturer carries on business outside Canada, the importer, shall provide the Minister with a written report — containing information about the incident, the product involved in the incident, any products that they manufacture or import, as the case may be, that to their knowledge could be involved in a similar incident and any measures they propose be taken with respect to those products — within 10 days after the day on which they become aware of the incident or within the period that the Minister specifies by written notice. Personal information The Minister may disclose personal information to a person or a government that carries out functions relating to the protection of human health or safety without the consent of the individual to whom the personal information relates if the disclosure is necessary to identify or address a serious danger to human health or safety. Privacy Act not affected For greater certainty, nothing in this section affects the provisions of the Privacy Act. Confidential business information — agreement The Minister may disclose confidential business information to a person or a government that carries out functions relating to the protection of human health or safety or the environment — in relation to a consumer product — without the consent of the person to whose business or affairs the information relates and without notifying that person if the person to whom or government to which the information may be disclosed agrees in writing to maintain the confidentiality of the information and to use it only for the purpose of carrying out those functions. Confidential business information — serious and imminent danger The Minister may, without the consent of the person to whose business or affairs the information relates and without notifying that person beforehand, disclose confidential business information about a consumer product that is a serious and imminent danger to human health or safety or the environment, if the disclosure of the information is essential to address the danger. Disclosure of information — notification If the Minister discloses confidential business information under subsection (1), he or she shall, not later than the next business day following the disclosure, notify the person to whose business or affairs the information relates. Definition of business day In this section, business day means a day other than a Saturday or a holiday. For greater certainty For greater certainty, the Minister may disclose to the public information about a danger to human health or safety that a consumer product poses. Number of inspectors The Minister shall decide on the number of inspectors sufficient for the purpose of the administration and enforcement of this Act and the regulations. Designation For the purposes of the administration and enforcement of the provisions of this Act and the regulations, the Minister may designate individuals or classes of individuals as inspectors to exercise powers or perform duties or functions in relation to any matter referred to in the designation. Certificate to be produced An inspector shall be given a certificate in a form established by the Minister attesting to the inspector’s designation and, on entering a place under subsection 21(1), the inspector shall, on request, produce the certificate to the person in charge of that place. Obstruction and false statements No person shall knowingly obstruct, hinder or make a false or misleading statement either orally or in writing to an inspector who is carrying out their functions. Authority to enter place Subject to subsection 22(1), an inspector may, for the purpose of verifying compliance or preventing non-compliance with this Act or the regulations, at any reasonable time enter a place, including a conveyance, in which they have reasonable grounds to believe that a consumer product is manufactured, imported, packaged, stored, advertised, sold, labelled, tested or transported, or a document relating to the administration of this Act or the regulations is located. Powers The inspector may, for the purpose referred to in subsection (1), examine or test anything — and take samples free of charge of an article to which this Act or the regulations apply — that is found in the place; open a receptacle or package that is found in the place; examine a document that is found in the place, make a copy of it or take an extract from it; seize and detain for any time that may be necessary an article to which this Act or the regulations apply that is found in the place, or the conveyance; order the owner or person having possession, care or control of an article to which this Act or the regulations apply that is found in the place — or of the conveyance — to move it or, for any time that may be necessary, not to move it or to restrict its movement; use or cause to be used a computer or other device that is at the place to examine a document that is contained in or available to a computer system or reproduce it or cause it to be reproduced in the form of a printout or other intelligible output and remove the output for examination or copying; use or cause to be used copying equipment that is at the place and remove the copies for examination; take photographs and make recordings and sketches; and order the owner or person in charge of the place or a person who manufactures, imports, packages, stores, advertises, sells, labels, tests or transports a consumer product at the place to establish their identity to the inspector’s satisfaction or to stop or start the activity. Conveyance For the purpose of entering the conveyance, an inspector may order the owner or person having possession, care or control of the conveyance to stop it or move it to a place where the inspector can enter it. Entering private property An inspector who is carrying out their functions and any person accompanying them may enter on or pass through or over private property. Assistance and information to be given to inspector The owner or person in charge of the place and every person found in the place shall give an inspector who is carrying out their functions all reasonable assistance and provide them with any information that they may reasonably require. Warrant or consent required to enter dwelling-house If the place mentioned in subsection 21(1) is a dwelling-house, an inspector may not enter it without the consent of the occupant except under the authority of a warrant issued under subsection (2). Authority to issue warrant A justice of the peace may, on ex parte application, issue a warrant authorizing, subject to the conditions specified in the warrant, the person who is named in it to enter a dwelling-house if the justice of the peace is satisfied by information on oath that the dwelling-house is a place described in subsection 21(1); entry to the dwelling-house is necessary for the purposes referred to in subsection 21(1); and entry to the dwelling-house was refused or there are reasonable grounds to believe that it will be refused or to believe that consent to entry cannot be obtained from the occupant. Use of force In executing a warrant issued under subsection (2), the inspector may not use force unless they are accompanied by a peace officer and the use of force is authorized in the warrant. Means of telecommunication An application for a warrant under subsection (2) may be submitted, and the warrant may be issued, by a means of telecommunication and section 487.1 of the Criminal Code applies for those purposes with any necessary modifications. Interference Except with the authority of an inspector, no person shall remove, alter or interfere in any way with anything seized under this Act. Storage of things seized An inspector who seizes a thing under this Act may on notice to and at the expense of its owner or the person having possession, care or control of it at the time of its seizure, store it or move it to another place; or order its owner or the person having possession, care or control of it at the time of its seizure to store it or move it to another place at their expense. Release of things seized An inspector who seizes a thing under this Act shall release it if they are satisfied that the provisions of this Act and the regulations with respect to it have been complied with. Forfeiture — thing unclaimed A seized thing is, at Her election, forfeited to Her Majesty in right of Canada if within 60 days after the seizure, no person is identified, in accordance with the regulations, if any, as its owner or as the person who is entitled to possess it; or the owner or person who is entitled to possess it, within 60 days after the day on which they are notified that the inspector has released the seized thing, does not claim it. Proceedings instituted Subsection (1) does not apply if proceedings are instituted in respect of an offence that relates to the thing that was seized. Disposal A seized thing that is forfeited may be disposed of at the expense of its owner or the person who was entitled to possess it at the time of its seizure. Forfeiture — conviction for offence If a person is convicted of an offence under this Act, the court may order that a seized thing by means of or in relation to which the offence was committed be forfeited to Her Majesty in right of Canada. Forfeiture — on consent If the owner of a seized thing consents to its forfeiture, the seized thing is forfeited to Her Majesty in right of Canada and may be disposed of at the expense of the owner. Unlawful imports An inspector who has reasonable grounds to believe that an imported consumer product does not meet the requirements of the regulations or was imported in contravention of a provision of this Act or the regulations may decide whether to give the owner or importer, or the person having possession, care or control of the product, the opportunity to take a measure in respect of it. Factors In making a decision under subsection (1), the inspector shall consider, among other factors whether the consumer product is a danger to human health or safety; and any other prescribed factors. Duty of inspector If the inspector decides under subsection (1) not to give the owner, importer or the person having possession, care or control of the consumer product the opportunity to take a measure in respect of it, the inspector shall exercise, in respect of the product, any of the powers conferred by the provisions of this Act, other than this section, or of the regulations. Measures that may be taken and notice However, if the inspector decides under subsection (1) to give the owner, importer or person having possession, care or control of the consumer product the opportunity to take a measure in respect of it, the inspector, or any other inspector who is informed of the decision, shall decide whether the owner, importer or person having possession, care or control of it may remove it from Canada at their expense, consent to its forfeiture or take either of these measures, and shall notify or cause to be notified the owner, importer or person having possession, care or control of the product that they may take that measure within the period specified by the inspector or other inspector, as the case may be. Forfeiture If a person is notified under subsection (4) that they may consent to the forfeiture of the consumer product and the person consents to its forfeiture, the product is forfeited to Her Majesty in right of Canada and may be disposed of, as the Minister may direct, at the person’s expense. Analysts The Minister may designate any individual or class of individuals as analysts for the administration and enforcement of this Act and the regulations. Analysis and examination An inspector may submit to an analyst, for analysis or examination, anything seized by the inspector, or any sample of it, or any samples taken by the inspector. Certificate or report An analyst who has made an analysis or examination may issue a certificate or report setting out the results of the analysis or examination. Recall If the Minister believes on reasonable grounds that a consumer product is a danger to human health or safety, he or she may order a person who manufactures, imports or sells the product for commercial purposes to recall it. Notice The order shall be provided in the form of a written notice and must include a statement of the reasons for the recall; and the time and manner in which the recall is to be carried out. Taking measures The Minister may order a person who manufactures, imports, advertises or sells a consumer product to take any measure referred to in subsection (2) if that person does not comply with an order made under section 12 with respect to the product; the Minister has made an order under section 31 with respect to the product; the Minister believes on reasonable grounds that the product is the subject of a measure or recall undertaken voluntarily by the manufacturer or importer; or the Minister believes on reasonable grounds that there is a contravention of this Act or the regulations in relation to the product. Measures The measures include stopping the manufacturing, importation, packaging, storing, advertising, selling, labelling, testing or transportation of the consumer product or causing any of those activities to be stopped; and any measure that the Minister considers necessary to remedy a non-compliance with this Act or the regulations, including any measure that relates to the product that the Minister considers necessary in order for the product to meet the requirements of the regulations or to address or prevent a danger to human health or safety that the product poses. a statement of the reasons for the measure; and the time and manner in which the measure is to be carried out. Recall or measures taken by Minister If a person does not comply with an order made under section 31 or 32 within the time specified, the Minister may, on his or her own initiative and at that person’s expense, carry out the recall or measure required. Review officer The Minister may designate any individual or class of individuals that are qualified as review officers for the purpose of reviewing orders under section 35. Request for review Subject to any other provision of this section, an order that is made under section 31 or 32 shall be reviewed on the written request of the person who was ordered to recall a consumer product or to take another measure — but only on grounds that involve questions of fact alone or questions of mixed law and fact — by a review officer other than the individual who made the order. Contents of and time for making request The written request must state the grounds for review and set out the evidence — including evidence that was not considered by the individual who made the order — that supports those grounds and the decision that is sought. It shall be provided to the Minister within seven days after the day on which the order was provided or, in the event of a serious and imminent danger to human health or safety, any shorter period that may be specified in the order. No authority to review The review is not to be done if the request does not comply with subsection (2) or is frivolous, vexatious or not made in good faith. Reasons for refusal The person who made the request shall, without delay, be notified in writing of the reasons for not doing the review. Review initiated by review officer A review officer — other than the individual who made the order — may review an order, whether or not a request is made under subsection (1). Order in effect An order continues to apply during a review unless the review officer decides otherwise. Completion of review A review officer shall complete the review no later than 30 days after the day on which the request is provided to the Minister. Extension of period for review The review officer may extend the review period by no more than 30 days if they are of the opinion that more time is required to complete the review. They may extend the review period more than once. Reasons for extension If the review period is extended, the person who made the request shall, without delay, be notified in writing of the reasons for extending it. Decision on completion of review On completion of a review, the review officer shall confirm, amend, terminate or cancel the order. The person who made the request or, if there is no request, the person who was ordered to recall the consumer product or to take another measure shall, without delay, be notified in writing of the reasons for the review officer’s decision under subsection (10). Effect of amendment An order that is amended is subject to review under this section. Court If, on the application of the Minister, it appears to a court of competent jurisdiction that a person has done or is about to do or is likely to do an act or thing that constitutes or is directed toward the commission of an offence under this Act, the court may issue an injunction ordering the person who is named in the application to refrain from doing an act or thing that it appears to the court may constitute or be directed toward the commission of an offence under this Act; or do an act or thing that it appears to the court may prevent the commission of an offence under this Act. No injunction shall be issued under subsection (1) unless 48 hours’ notice is served to the party or parties who are named in the application or the urgency of the situation is such that service of notice would not be in the public interest. Recovery Her Majesty in right of Canada may recover, as a debt due to Her Majesty in right of Canada, any costs incurred by Her Majesty in right of Canada in relation to anything required or authorized under the provisions of this Act, except section 64, or the regulations, including the storage, movement or disposal of a thing; or the recall or measure carried out under section 33. Time limit Proceedings to recover a debt due to Her Majesty in right of Canada under subsection (1) shall not be commenced later than five years after the debt became payable. Certificate of default Any debt that may be recovered under subsection 36.1(1) in respect of which there is a default of payment, or the part of any such debt that has not been paid, may be certified by the Minister. Judgment On production to the Federal Court, a certificate made under subsection (1) shall be registered in that Court and, when registered, has the same force and effect, and all proceedings may be taken on the certificate, as if it were a judgment obtained in that Court for a debt of the amount specified in the certificate and all reasonable costs and charges attendant in the registration of the certificate. Governor in Council The Governor in Council may make regulations for carrying out the purposes and provisions of this Act, including regulations exempting, with or without conditions, a consumer product or class of consumer products from the application of this Act or the regulations or a provision of this Act or the regulations, including exempting consumer products manufactured in Canada for the purpose of export or imported solely for the purpose of export; exempting, with or without conditions, a class of persons from the application of this Act or the regulations or a provision of this Act or the regulations in relation to a consumer product or class of consumer products; amending Schedule 1 or 2 by adding or deleting a consumer product or class of consumer products; respecting the preparation and maintenance of documents, including by specifying the documents to be prepared and maintained, where they may be kept and for how long; specifying the documents that an importer shall provide the Minister with under subsection 13(5); respecting the manufacturing, importation, packaging, storing, sale, advertising, labelling, testing or transportation of a consumer product or class of consumer products; prohibiting the manufacturing, importation, packaging, storing, sale, advertising, labelling, testing or transportation of a consumer product or class of consumer products; respecting the communication of warnings or other health or safety information to the public by a person who manufactures, imports, advertises or sells a consumer product or class of consumer products, including by way of a product’s label or instructions; respecting the time and manner in which information, notices and documents are to be provided or served under this Act; respecting the designation or recognition of persons or classes of persons who would be authorized to certify that a consumer product or class of consumer products meets the applicable requirements and respecting their functions in relation to that certification; respecting the performance of an inspector’s, analyst’s or review officer’s functions and the circumstances in which an inspector or a review officer may exercise their powers; respecting the taking of samples or the seizure, detention, forfeiture or disposal of anything under this Act; respecting the recall of a consumer product or class of consumer products; respecting the measures referred to in section 32; respecting the review of orders under section 35; respecting the costs in relation to anything required or authorized under the provisions of this Act or the regulations; respecting the implementation, in relation to consumer products, of international agreements that affect those products; and prescribing anything that by this Act is to be prescribed. Externally produced material A regulation made under this Act may incorporate by reference documents produced by a person or body other than the Minister including by an organization established for the purpose of writing standards, including an organization accredited by the Standards Council of Canada; an industrial or trade organization; or a government. Reproduced or translated material A regulation made under this Act may incorporate by reference documents that the Minister reproduces or translates from documents produced by a body or person other than the Minister with any adaptations of form and reference that will facilitate their incorporation into the regulation; or in a form that sets out only the parts of them that apply for the purposes of the regulation. Jointly produced documents A regulation made under this Act may incorporate by reference documents that the Minister produces jointly with another government for the purpose of harmonizing the regulation with other laws. Internally produced standards A regulation made under this Act may incorporate by reference technical or explanatory documents that the Minister produces, including specifications, classifications, illustrations, graphs or other information of a technical nature; and test methods, procedures, operational standards, safety standards or performance standards of a technical nature. Incorporation as amended from time to time Documents may be incorporated by reference as amended from time to time. Subsections (2) to (6) are for greater certainty and do not limit any authority to make regulations incorporating material by reference that exists apart from those subsections. Proposed regulation to be laid before Parliament Before a regulation is made under paragraph 37(1)(a), (b) or (c), the Minister shall cause the proposed regulation to be laid before each House of Parliament. Report by committee — Senate The proposed regulation may be referred to an appropriate committee of the Senate, as determined by its rules, which may review the proposed regulation and report its findings to the Senate. Report by committee — House of Commons The proposed regulation shall be referred to the Standing Committee on Health of the House of Commons or, if there is not a Standing Committee on Health, the appropriate committee of the House of Commons, as determined by its rules, which may review the proposed regulation and report its findings to the House of Commons. Making of regulations A regulation may not be made before the earliest of 30 sitting days after the proposed regulation is laid before both Houses of Parliament, 90 calendar days after the proposed regulation is laid before both Houses of Parliament, and the day after each appropriate committee has reported its findings with respect to the proposed regulation. Explanation The Minister shall take into account any report of the committee of either House. If a regulation does not incorporate a recommendation of the committee of either House, the Minister shall cause to be laid before that House a statement of the reasons for not incorporating it. Alteration A proposed regulation that has been laid before both Houses of Parliament need not again be so laid prior to the making of the regulation, whether it has been altered or not. Definition of sitting day For the purpose of subsection (4), sitting day means a day on which either House of Parliament sits. Exceptions A regulation may be made without being laid before either House of Parliament if the Minister is of the opinion that the changes made by the regulation to an existing regulation are so immaterial or insubstantial that section 38 should not apply in the circumstances; or the regulation must be made immediately in order to protect the health or safety of any person. Notice of opinion If a regulation is made without being laid before both Houses of Parliament, the Minister shall cause a statement of his or her reasons to be laid before each House of Parliament within the first 30 days on which that House is sitting after the regulation is made. Regulations The Minister may make an interim order that contains any provision that may be contained in a regulation made under this Act if he or she believes that immediate action is required to deal with a significant danger — direct or indirect — to human health or safety. Cessation of effect An interim order has effect from the time that it is made but ceases to have effect on the earliest of 14 days after it is made, unless it is approved by the Governor in Council, the day on which it is repealed, the day on which a regulation made under this Act that has the same effect as the interim order comes into force, and one year after the interim order is made or any shorter period that may be specified in the interim order. Exemption from Statutory Instruments Act An interim order is exempt from the application of sections 3 and 9 of the Statutory Instruments Act. Deeming For the purpose of any provision of this Act other than this section, any reference to regulations made under this Act is deemed to include interim orders, and any reference to a regulation made under a specified provision of this Act is deemed to include a reference to the portion of an interim order containing any provision that may be contained in a regulation made under the specified provision. Tabling of order A copy of each interim order must be tabled in each House of Parliament within 15 days after it is made. House not sitting In order to comply with subsection (5), the interim order may be sent to the Clerk of the House if the House is not sitting. Offence A person who contravenes a provision of this Act, other than section 8, 10, 11 or 20, a provision of the regulations or an order made under this Act is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction on indictment, to a fine of not more than $5,000,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years or to both; or on summary conviction, for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $250,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months or to both and, for a subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $500,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than 18 months or to both. Defence of due diligence Due diligence is a defence in a prosecution for an offence under subsection (1). Offence — fault A person who contravenes section 8, 10, 11 or 20 or who knowingly or recklessly contravenes another provision of this Act, a provision of the regulations or an order made under this Act is guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction on indictment, to a fine in an amount that is at the discretion of the court or to imprisonment for a term of not more than five years or to both; or on summary conviction, for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $500,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than 18 months or to both and, for a subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $1,000,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years or to both. Sentencing considerations A court that imposes a sentence shall take into account, in addition to any other principles that it is required to consider, the harm or risk of harm caused by the commission of the offence and the vulnerability of individuals who use the consumer product. Offences by corporate officers, etc. If a person other than an individual commits an offence under this Act, any of the person’s directors, officers, agents or mandataries who directed, authorized, assented to, acquiesced in or participated in the commission of the offence is a party to the offence and is liable on conviction to the punishment provided for by this Act, even if the person is not prosecuted for the offence. Offences by employees, agents or mandataries In a prosecution for an offence under this Act, it is sufficient proof of the offence to establish that it was committed by any employee, agent or mandatary of the accused, even if the employee, agent or mandatary is not identified or is not prosecuted for the offence. Continuing offence If an offence under this Act is committed or continued on more than one day, it constitutes a separate offence for each day on which it is committed or continued. Venue A prosecution for an offence under this Act may be instituted, heard and determined in the place where the offence was committed or the subject-matter of the prosecution arose; where the accused was apprehended; or where the accused happens to be or is carrying on business. Limitation period Proceedings by way of summary conviction in respect of an offence under this Act may be instituted at any time within two years after the time the Minister becomes aware of the acts or omissions that constitute the alleged offence. Admissibility of evidence In proceedings for an offence under this Act, a declaration, certificate, report or other document of the Minister or an inspector, analyst or review officer purporting to have been signed by that person is admissible in evidence without proof of the signature or official character of the person appearing to have signed it and, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, is proof of the matters asserted in it. Copies and extracts In proceedings for an offence under this Act, a copy of or an extract from any document that is made by the Minister or an inspector, analyst or review officer that appears to have been certified under the signature of that person as a true copy or extract is admissible in evidence without proof of the signature or official character of the person appearing to have signed it and, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, has the same probative force as the original would have if it were proved in the ordinary way. Presumed date of issue A document referred to in this section is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, presumed to have been issued on the date that it bears. No document referred to in this section may be received in evidence unless the party intending to produce it has provided reasonable notice of that intention on the party against whom it is intended to be produced together with a duplicate of the document. Self-incrimination The information and results contained in the documents that a person provides under an order made under section 12 may not be used or received to incriminate the person in any proceeding against them in respect of an offence under this Act. Commission of violation Every person who contravenes an order that is made under section 31 or 32 or reviewed under section 35 commits a violation and is liable to the penalty established in accordance with the regulations. The Governor in Council may make regulations fixing a penalty, or a range of penalties, in respect of each violation; classifying each violation as a minor violation, a serious violation or a very serious violation; respecting the circumstances under which, the criteria by which and the manner in which a penalty may be increased or reduced, including a reduction in the amount that is provided for in a compliance agreement; and respecting the determination of a lesser amount that may be paid as complete satisfaction of a penalty if paid in the prescribed time and manner. Maximum penalties The maximum penalty for a violation is $5,000 in the case of a violation committed by a non-profit organization — or by any other person for non-commercial purposes — and $25,000 in any other case. Notices of violation The Minister may designate individuals, or classes of individuals, who are authorized to issue notices of violation; and establish, in respect of each violation, a short-form description to be used in notices of violation. Issuance of notice of violation If a person designated under paragraph 51(a) believes on reasonable grounds that a person has committed a violation, the designated person may issue, and shall provide the person with, a notice of violation that sets out the person’s name; identifies the alleged violation; sets out the penalty for the violation that the person is liable to pay; sets out the particulars concerning the time and manner of payment; and subject to the regulations, sets out a lesser amount that may be paid as complete satisfaction of the penalty if paid in the prescribed time and manner. Summary of rights A notice of violation must clearly summarize, in plain language, the rights and obligations under this section and sections 53 to 66 of the person named in it, including the right to have the acts or omissions that constitute the alleged violation or the amount of the penalty reviewed and the procedure for requesting that review. Payment If the person named in the notice pays, in the prescribed time and manner, the amount of the penalty or, subject to the regulations, the lesser amount set out in a notice of violation that may be paid in lieu of the penalty, they are deemed to have committed the violation in respect of which the amount is paid; the Minister shall accept that amount as complete satisfaction of the penalty; and the proceedings commenced in respect of the violation under section 52 are ended. Alternatives to payment Instead of paying the penalty set out in a notice of violation or, if applicable, the lesser amount that may be paid in lieu of the penalty, the person named in the notice may, in the prescribed time and manner, if the penalty is $5,000 or more, request to enter into a compliance agreement with the Minister that ensures the person’s compliance with the order to which the violation relates; or request a review by the Minister of the acts or omissions that constitute the alleged violation or the amount of the penalty.

If the person named in the notice of violation does not pay the penalty in the prescribed time and manner or, if applicable, the lesser amount that may be paid in lieu of the penalty, and does not exercise any right referred to in subsection (2) in the prescribed time and manner, they are deemed to have committed the violation identified in the notice. Compliance agreements After considering a request under paragraph 53(2)(a), the Minister may enter into a compliance agreement, as described in that paragraph, with the person making the request on any terms and conditions that are satisfactory to the Minister, which terms and conditions may include a provision for the giving of reasonable security, in a form and in an amount satisfactory to the Minister, as a guarantee that the person will comply with the compliance agreement; and provide for the reduction, in whole or in part, of the penalty for the violation. A person who enters into a compliance agreement with the Minister is, on doing so, deemed to have committed the violation in respect of which the compliance agreement was entered into. If compliance agreement complied with If the Minister is satisfied that a person who has entered into a compliance agreement has complied with it, the Minister shall cause a notice to that effect to be provided to the person, at which time the proceedings commenced in respect of the violation under section 52 are ended; and any security given by the person under the compliance agreement shall be returned to the person. If compliance agreement not complied with If the Minister is of the opinion that a person who has entered into a compliance agreement has not complied with it, the Minister shall cause a notice of default to be provided to the person to the effect that instead of the penalty set out in the notice of violation in respect of which the compliance agreement was entered into, the person is liable to pay, in the prescribed time and manner, twice the amount of that penalty and, for greater certainty, subsection 50(2) does not apply in respect of that amount; or the security, if any, given by the person under the compliance agreement shall be forfeited to Her Majesty in right of Canada. Effect of notice of default Once provided with the notice of default, the person may not deduct from the amount set out in the notice any amount they spent under the compliance agreement and is liable to pay the amount set out in the notice; or if the notice provides for the forfeiture of the security given under the compliance agreement, that security is forfeited to Her Majesty in right of Canada and the proceedings commenced in respect of the violation under section 52 are ended. Effect of payment If a person pays the amount set out in a notice of default under subsection (4) in the prescribed time and manner, the Minister shall accept the amount as complete satisfaction of the amount owing; and Refusal to enter into compliance agreement If the Minister refuses to enter into a compliance agreement pursuant to a request under paragraph 53(2)(a), the person who made the request is liable to pay the amount of the penalty in the prescribed time and manner. If a person pays the amount referred to in subsection (1), they are deemed to have committed the violation in respect of which the payment is made; the Minister shall accept the amount as complete satisfaction of the penalty; and If a person does not pay the amount referred to in subsection (1) in the prescribed time and manner, they are deemed to have committed the violation identified in the notice of violation. Review — with respect to facts On completion of a review requested under paragraph 53(2)(b) with respect to the acts or omissions that constitute the alleged violation, the Minister shall determine whether the person requesting the review committed the violation. If the Minister determines that the person committed the violation but that the amount of the penalty was not established in accordance with the regulations, the Minister shall correct the amount and cause a notice of any decision under this subsection to be provided to the person who requested the review. Review — with respect to penalty On completion of a review requested under paragraph 53(2)(b), with respect to the amount of the penalty, if the Minister determines that the amount of the penalty was not established in accordance with the regulations, the Minister shall correct the amount and cause a notice of any decision under this subsection to be provided to the person who requested the review. If the Minister determines under subsection (1) that a person committed a violation, the person is liable to pay the amount of the penalty confirmed or corrected in that decision in the prescribed time and manner. If a person pays the amount referred to in subsection (3), Written evidence and submissions The Minister is to consider only written evidence and written submissions in determining whether a person committed a violation or whether a penalty was established in accordance with the regulations. Debts to Her Majesty The following amounts constitute debts due to Her Majesty in right of Canada that may be recovered as such in the Federal Court: the amount of a penalty, from the time the notice of violation setting out the penalty is provided; every amount set out in a compliance agreement entered into with the Minister under subsection 54(1), from the time the compliance agreement is entered into; the amount set out in a notice of default referred to in subsection 54(4), from the time the notice is provided; the amount of a penalty as set out in a decision of the Minister under subsection 56(1) or (2), from the time the notice under that subsection is provided; and the amount of any reasonable expenses incurred under section 64, from the date they are incurred. No proceedings to recover a debt referred to in subsection (1) may be commenced later than five years after the debt became payable. Debt final A debt referred to in subsection (1) is final and not subject to review or to be restrained, prohibited, removed, set aside or otherwise dealt with except to the extent and in the manner provided by sections 53 to 56. Any debt referred to in subsection 57(1) in respect of which there is a default of payment, or the part of any such debt that has not been paid, may be certified by the Minister. Judgments On production to the Federal Court, the certificate shall be registered in that Court and, when registered, has the same force and effect, and all proceedings may be taken on the certificate, as if it were a judgment obtained in that Court for a debt of the amount specified in it and all reasonable costs and charges associated with the registration of the certificate. Certain defences not available A person named in a notice of violation does not have a defence by reason that the person exercised due diligence to prevent the violation; or reasonably and honestly believed in the existence of facts that, if true, would exonerate the person. Common law principles Every rule and principle of the common law that renders any circumstance a justification or excuse in relation to a charge for an offence under this Act applies in respect of a violation to the extent that it is not inconsistent with this Act. Burden of proof In every case where the facts of a violation are reviewed by the Minister, he or she must determine, on a balance of probabilities, whether the person named in the notice of violation committed the violation identified in the notice. Violation by corporate officers, etc. If a person other than an individual commits a violation under this Act, any of the person’s directors, officers, agents or mandataries who directed, authorized, assented to, acquiesced in or participated in the commission of the violation is a party to and liable for the violation whether or not the person who actually committed the violation is proceeded against in accordance with this Act. Vicarious liability — acts of employees and agents A person is liable for a violation that is committed by any employee, agent or mandatary of the person acting in the course of the employee’s employment or the scope of the agent or mandatary’s authority, whether or not the employee, agent or mandatary who actually committed the violation is identified or proceeded against in accordance with this Act. Continuing violation A violation that is continued on more than one day constitutes a separate violation in respect of each day on which it is continued. Anything seized under this Act that is the subject of a violation is, at Her election, immediately forfeited to Her Majesty in right of Canada and may be disposed of, at the expense of its owner or the person who was entitled to possess it at the time of its seizure, if the person is deemed by this Act to have committed the violation; or the Minister, on the basis of a review under this Act, has determined that the person has committed the violation. Evidence In any proceeding for a violation or for a prosecution for an offence, a notice of violation purporting to be issued pursuant to this Act is admissible in evidence without proof of the signature or official character of the person appearing to have signed the notice of violation. No proceedings in respect of a violation may be commenced later than six months after the Minister becomes aware of the acts or omissions that constitute the alleged violation. Committee The Minister shall establish a committee to provide him or her with advice on matters in connection with the administration of this Act, including the labelling of consumer products. Advice available to public The committee shall make available to the public the advice it provided to the Minister. Remuneration and travel and living expenses Committee members may be paid remuneration up to the amount that is fixed by the Governor in Council and are entitled to the reasonable travel and living expenses that they incur while performing their duties away from their ordinary place of residence. Statutory Instruments Act For greater certainty, orders made under this Act, except under section 40, are not statutory instruments within the meaning of the Statutory Instruments Act. How act or omission may be proceeded with If an act or omission can be proceeded with either as a violation or as an offence, proceeding in one manner precludes proceeding in the other. Certification by Minister A document appearing to have been issued by the Minister, certifying the day on which the acts or omissions that constitute the alleged offence or violation became known to the Minister, is admissible in evidence without proof of the signature or official character of the person appearing to have signed the document and, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, is proof that the Minister became aware of the acts or omissions on that day. Publication of information about contraventions The Minister may publish information about any contravention of this Act or the regulations, or any violation referred to in section 49, for the purpose of encouraging compliance with this Act and the regulations. [Amendments] [Amendment] Order in council The provisions of this Act come into force on a day or days to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council. [Note: Act in force June 20, 2011, see SI/2011-12.] Explosives within the meaning of section 2 of the Explosives Act. Cosmetics within the meaning of section 2 of the Food and Drugs Act. Devices within the meaning of section 2 of the Food and Drugs Act, except a vaping product within the meaning of section 2 of the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act that is not subject to the Food and Drugs Act. Drugs within the meaning of section 2 of the Food and Drugs Act, except a vaping product within the meaning of section 2 of the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act that is not subject to the Food and Drugs Act. Food within the meaning of section 2 of the Food and Drugs Act. Pest control products within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Pest Control Products Act, except treated articles within the meaning of subsection 1(1) of the Pest Control Products Regulations. Vehicles within the meaning of section 2 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act and a part of a vehicle that is integral to it — as it is assembled or altered before its sale to the first retail purchaser — including a part of a vehicle that replaces or alters such a part. Feeds within the meaning of section 2 of the Feeds Act. Fertilizers within the meaning of section 2 of the Fertilizers Act. Vessels within the meaning of section 2 of the Canada Shipping Act, 2001. Firearms within the meaning of section 2 of the Criminal Code. Ammunition within the meaning of subsection 84(1) of the Criminal Code. Cartridge magazines within the meaning of subsection 84(1) of the Criminal Code. Cross-bows within the meaning of subsection 84(1) of the Criminal Code. Prohibited devices within the meaning of paragraphs (a) to (d) of the definition prohibited device in subsection 84(1) of the Criminal Code. Plants within the meaning of section 3 of the Plant Protection Act, except for Jequirity beans (abrus precatorius). Seeds within the meaning of section 2 of the Seeds Act, except for Jequirity beans (abrus precatorius). Controlled substances within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Aeronautical products within the meaning of subsection 3(1) of the Aeronautics Act. Animals within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Health of Animals Act. Cannabis as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Cannabis Act. Jequirity beans (abrus precatorius) or any substance or article that is made from or that includes jequirity beans in whole or in part. Spectacle frames that, in whole or in part, are made of or contain cellulose nitrate. Baby walkers that are mounted on wheels or on any other device permitting movement of the walker and that have an enclosed area supporting the baby in a sitting or standing position so that their feet touch the floor, thereby enabling the horizontal movement of the walker. Products for babies, including teethers, pacifiers and baby bottle nipples, that are put in the mouth when used and that contain a filling that has in it a viable micro-organism. Structural devices that position feeding bottles to allow babies to feed themselves from the bottle while unattended. Disposable metal containers that contain a pressurizing fluid composed in whole or in part of vinyl chloride and that are designed to release pressurized contents by the use of a manually operated valve that forms an integral part of the container. Liquids that contain polychlorinated biphenyls for use in microscopy, including immersion oils but not including refractive index oils. Kites any part of which is made of uninsulated metal that is separated from adjacent conductive areas by a non-conductive area of less than 50 mm and that either has a maximum linear dimension in excess of 150 mm, or is plated or otherwise coated with a conductive film whose maximum linear dimension exceeds 150 mm. Kite strings made of a material that conducts electricity. Products made in whole or in part of textile fibres, intended for use as wearing apparel, that are treated with or contain tris (2,3 dibromopropyl) phosphate as a single substance or as part of a chemical compound. Any substance that is used to induce sneezing, whether or not called “sneezing powder”, and that contains 3,3′-dimethoxybenzidine (4,4′-diamino-3,3′-dimethoxybiphenyl) or any of its salts; a plant product derived from the genera Helleborus (hellebore), Veratrum album (white hellebore) or Quillaia (Panama Wood); protoveratrine or veratrine; or any isomer of nitrobenzaldehyde. Cutting oils and cutting fluids, that are for use in lubricating and cooling the cutting area in machining operations, and that contain more than 50 µg/g of any nitrite, when monoetha-nolamine, diethanolamine or triethanolamine is also present. Urea formaldehyde-based thermal insulation, foamed in place, used to insulate buildings. Lawn darts with elongated tips. Polycarbonate baby bottles that contain 4,4′-isopropylidenediphenol (bisphenol A). Products that are made, in whole or in part, of polyurethane foam that contains tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate and that are intended for a child under three years of age. Clarification — immediate application For greater certainty, but subject to sections 77 and 78, the amendments made by this Act also apply with respect to proceedings that are ongoing on the day on which this Act comes into force. Certain applications for warrants Each of the following provisions, as it read immediately before the day on which this Act comes into force, continues to apply with respect to an application made for a warrant under the provision if the application is submitted, and no decision has been made in respect of the application, before that day: subsection 22(4) of the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act; Impact of remote proceedings The Minister of Justice must, no later than three years after the day on which this Act receives royal assent, initiate one or more independent reviews on the use of remote proceedings in criminal justice matters that must include an assessment of whether remote proceedings enhance, preserve or adversely affect access to justice; maintain fundamental principles of the administration of justice; and adequately address the rights and obligations of participants in the criminal justice system, including accused persons. The Minister of Justice must, no later than five years after the day on which a review is initiated, cause a report on the review — including any findings or recommendations resulting from it — to be laid before each House of Parliament. Review by committee At the start of the fifth year after the day on which this Act receives royal assent, the provisions enacted or amended by this Act are to be referred to a committee of the Senate and a committee of the House of Commons that may be designated or established for the purpose of reviewing the provisions. The committees to which the provisions are referred are to review them and the use of remote proceedings in criminal justice matters and submit reports to the Houses of Parliament of which they are committees, including statements setting out any changes to the provisions that they recommend.