02/19/2026
What goes into an NPN application:
Before a product earns an NPN, Canadian brands must submit solid evidence to Health Canada -- including high‑quality human studies that support the product’s intended claims. They also provide safety data, ingredient details, supplier information and full manufacturing documentation.
There are different classes of licenses for NPN applications, ranging from simpler submissions (class I, that rely on precleared data or monographs) to more complex ones (class III which requires a more exhaustive evaluation period). AOR often submits innovative Class III formulas which include novel ingredients -- unique compounds not commonly found in other products, which requires a more rigorous review process and take additional time due to their complexity.
It’s a comprehensive and well thought-out review long before the product reaches your hands.
Next up: what does an NPN mean for you.