Business Regulations Guide

https://sbs-spe.feddevontario.canada.ca/business-regulations-guide
Table of contents
Introduction
Accessibility
Consumer products: labelling and safety
Food: labelling and safety
Workplace health and safety
Health regulations
Tobacco regulations
Trade certification
Media usage
Financial transactions and loans
Environmental regulations and inspections
Firearms, fireworks and explosives
E-business
Privacy and protection of personal information
Other resources
Introduction
Whether you are starting or growing your business, you need to be aware of business regulations. Regulations set the standards and rules that
ensure the Canadian marketplace is safe, consistent and fair to everyone.
Depending on the product or service you are offering or where your business is located, you may need to meet regulation standards from any
or all of the following:
 Federal government
 Provincial governments
 Municipal governments
 Industry associations
 Regulatory bodies (colleges, government-approved organizations)
Your business may need licences and permits from the federal, provincial and municipal levels of government.
In addition to the information you will find in this guide, you can use BizPaL to find licences and regulations that may affect your business. You
can also contact us to speak to someone about starting your business.
Contact us:
1-888-576-4444
Permits and licences search
Legal questions
You can contact Pro Bono Ontario’s free legal advice hotline to enquire about getting help with your everyday civil legal needs (no family law or
criminal law). The service is generally aimed at those who cannot afford a lawyer.
Note that service is not guaranteed and you will be asked questions as part of the qualifying process, such as the amount of personal income
earned by your household, your name, postal code and age range.
Contact Pro Bono Ontario’s Free Legal Advice Hotline:
1-855-255-7256
*
You can also contact the Law Society of Ontario's Law Society Referral Service if you have legal questions of a business nature. The service may
be able to assist you in finding a lawyer or paralegal, based on your needs.
Use online:
Law Society Referral Service
Accessibility
You are responsible for ensuring that your business is accessible to people with disabilities. To learn more about making your business
accessible to staff and customers, consult the following:
Accessibility laws
Make sure that your Ontario business meets accessibility standards for customer service, transportation, information and communications,
built environments, employment and filing your compliance report.
Contact the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario:
1-866-515-2025
Accessibility laws
Consumer products: labelling and safety
The label you put on your product is an important way of communicating the value of that product to potential customers. You can use your
labels to sell the benefits of your product to your clients, but you must follow labelling rules and standards.
The rules can be more restrictive for some types of products than for others. You should research the regulations and standards for your
product before selling them.
Consumer products labelling (non-food)
There are labelling standards for everyday consumer products, such as t-shirts, office supplies and pet food, that you need to know about
before you begin selling products.
The Competition Bureau regulates labelling for most “non-food” consumer products. To learn more about the rules for packaging, labelling and
advertising your products, contact the Competition Bureau directly or refer to the following link:
Contact the Competition Bureau:
1-800-348-5358
Labelling corner
The Competition Bureau also publishes individual guides on labelling requirements for certain business activities and consumer products. Refer
to the following guides if you need more information on a specific aspect of labelling:
Labelling - Packaging consumer products (non-food)
Learn about your responsibilities when packaging and labelling consumer products (including pet food).
Read Online:
Guide to the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and Regulations 
Consumer packaging and labelling
Labelling – textiles
Find out what your responsibilities are when labelling textiles, including how to register for a CA number.
Read Online:
Guide to the Textile Labelling and Advertising Regulations 
CA identification number
Made in Canada
Learn about the rules and regulations for using claims like "Designed in Canada" or "Made in Canada" to promote your products.
Read Online:
"Product of Canada" and "Made in Canada" claims
Consumer product safety
If you manufacture, import, distribute or sell products in Canada, you are responsible for ensuring that they are safe. Health Canada provides
information on the regulations for clothing, accessories, hazardous materials, household products and children’s products.
Read online:
Canada Consumer Product Safety Act Quick Reference Guide
Health Canada - Industry Guide to Second-hand Products
Food: labelling and safety
Food safety and proper labelling is an important concern for Canadians. Labelling standards for food products help make sure that consumers
have the information they need about the food they are purchasing. If you plan on packaging, distributing or selling food products in Canada,
you must make sure they meet labelling standards.
Food safety and labelling
Your local health unit is the main contact for information on food safety and inspections.
Contact your local health authority to arrange an inspection of your business location, equipment and processes and make sure your business is
complying with provincial and federal legislation.
The following link provides contact information for local health authorities that inspect food businesses in Ontario.
Read online:
Local public health contacts
You also need to follow safety standards and labelling rules if you produce, service, process or manufacture food.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
Most businesses that buy, sell, ship, process or manufacture food will have CFIA regulations to follow.
These regulations may require you to:
 Obtain a licence
 Keep records
 Properly label packaged foods
Activities that are regulated include:
 Importing foods for re-sale
 Selling food to the public, retail food sales
 Shipping food products to another province or territory
 Producing, manufacturing or advertising food products
Check with the CFIA to find out which requirements apply to your business.
Contact CFIA:
1-800-442-2342
Food licences
Food safety for industry
Toolkit for businesses
Labelling, standards of identity and grades
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)
You may have regulations or inspection standards to follow if you produce, transport or manufacture specific food products in Ontario.
Regulated products include dairy, eggs, fish, meat, honey and other plant-based products. Contact the Ministry directly to find out what will
apply to your business.
Contact OMAFRA:
1-877-424-1300
Regulations for the food industry
Ontario Ministry of Health
Home-based food businesses are allowed to sell low-risk, home-prepared foods and are exempt from certain regulatory requirements, such as
specified handwashing stations in food premises, compliance with commercial dishwashing requirements and food handling training
certification.
Low-risk food items are generally considered non-hazardous and do not require time and temperature control. Some examples of low-risk
foods include:
 Most breads and buns (without meat, cream filling, etc.)
 Most baked goods (with no custard)
 Chocolate, hard candies and brittles
 Fudge and toffees
 Pickles, jams and preserves
 Granola, trail mix, nuts and seeds
 Cakes (icing that doesn’t require refrigeration), brownies, muffins and cookies
 Coffee beans and tea leaves
For more information contact your local public health unit:
https://www.phdapps.health.gov.on.ca/PHULocator/Default.aspx
Read online:
A Guide to Starting a Home-based Food Business (pdf)
Food labelling and advertising
Learn about the standards that apply to labelling and advertising for all food products in Canada, including how to appropriately show net
quantity, quality and composition. Food labelling requirements apply to producers, manufacturers, advertisers, importers and retailers of food
products.
Contact Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA):
1-800-442-2342 
Food labelling for industry
Ontario-specific food labelling regulations
Find out about Ontario’s food labelling regulations for specific food products like honey, meat, maple products, and more.
Contact Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA):
1-877-424-1300 
Label Requirements for Produce in Ontario
Foodland Ontario
Use the Foodland Ontario logo as a marketing tool for your business. You can use the logo, free of charge, on eligible Ontario food products.
Contact Foodland Ontario: 
1-877-424-1300
How to use the Foodland Ontario logo
Municipal Regulations
Many municipalities have licences specific to food handling or food preparation. If your municipality is not listed in BizPaL, or you are not sure
what municipality your business falls under, you can contact the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) for information on what
municipal regulations, licences or permits will be needed to operate your business.
1-877-426-6527
Association of Municipalities of Ontario

The following government guides provide additional information on rules and regulations related to food safety:
 OMAFRA - Government Roles and Responsibilities for Food Safety in Ontario
 OMAFRA – Food Safety
 Health Canada – Food & Nutrition
Workplace health and safety
As a business owner, you are responsible for ensuring that your products and services are safe and your employees work in a healthy, safe
environment.
Most employees, employers and workplaces in Ontario are covered by occupational health and safety regulations. As an employer in Ontario,
your obligations include a duty to instruct, inform and supervise your workers in order to protect their health and safety.
Read online:
Guide to the Occupational Health and Safety Act
Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development
Preventing workplace illness and injury is an important part of your responsibility towards your employees and in creating a healthy and safe
work environment.
You can find out more about prevention training requirements and resources for you and your employees from the Ontario Ministry of Labour,
Training and Skills Development's Health & Safety Contact Centre.
Contact the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development:
1-877-202-0008
Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development  – Prevention
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)
The WSIB is dedicated to helping you with workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities.

Most employers are legally required to register with the WSIB within 10 days of hiring an employee. You will get several benefits from
registration, including:
 No-fault workplace insurance
 Help getting your injured employees back to work
 Protection from lawsuits
Note: You will be required to pay an insurance premium.
Contact WSIB:
1-800-387-0750 
The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
To learn more about regulations for hiring employees, read our guide:
Employment regulations guide: hiring
Health regulations
If your business produces or sells health products or cosmetics, you are required to know what licences, permits and tests are needed before
you produce and sell your product. Health Canada regulates health products and medical devices in Canada. To learn about the requirements
for health products and medical devices, refer to the information below:
Drugs and health products (therapeutic)
You are responsible for ensuring that the drugs and health products you produce or sell are approved for use in Canada. The regulations apply
to products such as cough and cold medicine, over the counter drugs, toothpaste and antiperspirant.
Contact Health Canada:
1-800-267-9675 
Drugs and health products
Medical devices
If you produce or sell medical devices, you must ensure that they have accurate labels and meet Health Canada’s standards. The labels must list
the materials used, evidence of the product's safety, as well as the recall and correction procedures.
Contact Health Canada's Medical Devices Bureau:
613-957-0368
Medical devices
Medical device inspections
Natural health products
Your natural health products must meet Canadian standards for importing, distributing, storing, manufacturing, packaging, and labelling before
you can sell them in Canada.
Read online:
Natural Health Products Compliance Guide 
Natural health products regulations
Product licensing
Cosmetics
If you are producing or selling cosmetics products, you must ensure that they meet Health Canada's cosmetics standards and labelling
requirements.
Contact Health Canada: 
1-866-662-0666 
Regulatory information for cosmetics
Tobacco regulations
Tobacco regulations affect almost every business. Rules apply if you are importing, exporting, transporting, storing, processing, selling, or
marketing tobacco products, as well as for your staff or customers who want to smoke.
In addition to the federal and provincial information listed below, contact the municipality where you will be operating for information on local
tobacco laws.
Smoke-Free Ontario
Find out what your responsibilities are for marketing, packaging or displaying tobacco products. You must also follow the regulations that apply
to smoking in public places like offices, shops, or bars and restaurants.
Contact your local Public Health Unit: 
Public Health Unit Locations 
Rules for selling tobacco and vapour products
Where you can’t smoke or vape in Ontario
Tobacco Retail Dealer's Permit
In order to sell tobacco products, you are required to have an Ontario Tobacco Retail Dealer's Permit. If you plan on importing tobacco
products, you will also need an importer's registration certificate.
Stocking or selling illegal (or contraband) cigarettes that do not have an Ontario tax mark (yellow tear strip) is prohibited. Unauthorized
possession of unmarked cigarettes may result in penalties, fines, imprisonment and forfeiture of the product.
There are also other commercial activities in the tobacco sector that require registration with the Ontario Ministry of Finance.
Contact the Ministry of Finance:
1-866-ONT-TAXS (1-866-668-8297)
Rules for Tobacco Retail Dealers
Tobacco Retail Dealer's Permit (PDF)
Importing Tobacco
Illegal (Contraband)Tobacco 
Learn about the Ontario Tobacco Tax and who needs to register
Tobacco control
If you plan to produce or import tobacco products, or plan to allow the consumption of tobacco products in areas under federal control, make
sure you are complying with Health Canada’s tobacco regulations.
Contact Health Canada: 
1-866-318-1116 
Tobacco legislation
Trade certification
In Ontario, you need to be certified to work in certain trades. If you or your employees will be working in the trades, you must ensure that you
meet any mandatory certification requirements. Examples of trade positions that require training or certification include:
 Automotive electronic accessory technician
 Electrician: domestic & rural
 Refrigeration & air conditioning systems mechanic
 Crane operators
 Sheet metal workers
 Plumber
 Hairstylist
You can often become certified in your trade even if certification is not mandatory. A complete listing of regulated trades and more information
about mandatory and voluntary trade certification is available from the Ontario College of Trades (OCT).
Note: The Ontario skilled trades and apprenticeship system is changing. You can find more details about these ongoing changes on the
ServiceOntario website: Skilled trades and apprenticeship system changes
Contact OCT:
1-855-299-0028
Trades in Ontario
Media usage
Media related industries, like music, movies, television broadcasts, phone services and internet services are regulated in Canada. If your
business will be offering, using or working with these types of media, it is important to be aware of the following:
Telecommunications regulations
If you work in the telecommunications industry, including television and radio broadcasting, you should contact the Canadian Radio-television
and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for information on the regulations that may apply to your business.
Contact CRTC:
1-877-249-2782 
Licences
Music licence
When your business uses recorded music, you are responsible for obtaining the right licence(s) for that use. Contact the following organization
for more information:
Entandem
Organizations that use music are legally required to obtain applicable RE:SOUND and SOCAN licences. Entandem enables businesses that use
music to complete both licences at one time, through a single music license, so that rights-holders can be compensated for what they have
fairly and legally earned through their work.
Contact Entandem:
license@entandemlicensing.com
Entandem
Financial transactions and loans
Many types of financial transactions are regulated in Canada. If your business offers financial services or works with businesses that do (e.g.
accounting or legal services), you should consult the following:
Financial transactions and reporting
You are required to report certain types of business transactions, including:
  Large financial transfers
 Currency exchange
 Securities
 Insurance
 Real estate
 Sale of precious metals and stones
 Dealing in virtual currency
Contact Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC):
1-866-346-8722 
FINTRAC – reporting entities
Financial services regulations
If you have a financial service business, such as a credit union, insurance company or mortgage brokerage, contact the Financial Services
Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) for information on licensing and regulations.
Contact FSRA: 
1-800-668-0128 
FSRA – For industry
Payday lenders and loan brokers’ licences
You must be licensed if you provide payday loans or broker services.
Contact Ministry of Government and Consumer Services:
1-800-889-9768 
A guide for payday lenders
Environmental regulations and inspections
You may need to follow environmental regulations and meet certain environmental standards depending on your business activities.
Common environmental regulations that apply to businesses in Ontario include:
Ontario environmental Certificate of Approval
You will need a Certificate of Approval from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MOECC) if your business:
 Releases contaminants (pollutants) into the air, onto land, or into water
 Provides potable water supplies
 Stores, transports or disposes waste
Contact MECP:
1-800-461-6290
Environmental approvals
Permits to take water
Learn about permits that are required if your business takes more than 50,000 litres of water a day from a lake, river, stream or groundwater
source.
Read Online:
Permits to take water
Drinking water
Learn about the rules, reporting requirements, certification, licensing, registration and permits for water systems in Ontario, including wells and
wastewater.
Read Online:
Drinking water
Wild animal and plant trade
If you will be importing, exporting or transporting certain wild animal or plant species, you must obtain the appropriate documents (e.g.,
licences, permits). The regulations apply to all protected plants or animals, alive or dead, as well as to their parts and any derived products.
Contact Environment and Climate Change Canada:
1-800-668-6767 
Wild animal and plant protection
Firearms, fireworks and explosives
The use of firearms and explosives is regulated in Canada. Additional regulations will apply to your business if you buy or sell firearms, fireworks
or explosives.
Explosives Regulatory Division
You must obtain a permit to manufacture, store or use fireworks and explosives devices.
Contact Natural Resources Canada:
613- 948-5200
Explosives Regulatory Division
Canadian Firearms Program
Your business must be licensed to buy, sell, import, export or display firearms and munitions. You may need additional licences and permits if
your business will be using restricted weapons or firearms.
Contact the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP):
1-800-731-4000
Importing and exporting firearms, firearm parts and ammunition
Licensing 
Information and services for businesses
E-business 
When doing business online, there are a number of legal requirements that you should be aware of, such as providing secure credit and debit
card transactions. Make sure you know the rules for selling to customers outside of Ontario, creating contracts at a distance and any taxation
that may apply. 
Read online:
E-business, security, privacy and legal requirements  
Privacy and protection of personal information
There are rules that you must follow if you collect, use, store and protect client information. These rules cover information like contact
information, medical records and correspondence (email, fax, letters).
You can learn more about privacy and your business from the following resources:
Personal information protection
Find out what client information you can collect, use, or disclose while doing business, and what responsibilities you have to protect this
information.
Note that as of November 1, 2018, businesses need to comply with new mandatory personal data breach reporting rules.
Contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada:
1-800-282-1376 
Privacy Toolkit - a guide for businesses and organizations
Privacy Topics
What you need to know about mandatory reporting of breaches of security safeguards
Medical record regulations
Find out what your obligations are if your business will be handling medical records, or working with organizations involved in the collection of
health information.
Contact the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario:
1-800-387-0073 
Collecting personal information
Personal information collection
If you run a business that collects personal information (e.g. collection agencies, consumer reporting agencies, personal information
investigators), you need to be licensed with the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services (MGCS). 

Contact MGCS:
1-800-889-9768 
Licenses, applications and permits
Other resources
The information and resources provided in this guide are a first step towards learning about the regulations that can affect your business. You
may want to consult the following resources for additional information:
Provincial laws, regulations, consultations, and announcements
 Service Ontario e-Laws
Search government of Ontario laws and regulations by keyword.

 Ontario Gazette
Learn about a variety of Ontario announcements, including provincial laws and regulations.

 ServiceOntario - Regulatory Registry

Get information about Ontario regulatory proposals and recently approved regulations.
Federal laws, regulations, consultations, and announcements
 Justice Laws Web Site
Search federal laws by keyword.

 Canada Gazette
Find announcements about new and upcoming laws and regulations.

 Consulting with Canadians

Learn about new and upcoming proposals and participate in the consultation process.
 
You can also find books, magazines and other relevant print material at business service organizations in your community. For more
information or to locate a local business centre, contact us at 1-888-576-4444.