Business Regulations Info-Guide

This document will assist you in navigating federal, provincial and municipal regulations that apply to a number of industries and businesses in Ontario.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction
2. Start-up Regulations
3. Municipal Regulations  
4. Labelling Regulations
5. Specific Industry and Product Regulations
6. Other Regulations

1. Introduction

This document is intented to provide general business licencing information for a number of specific industries and is best used as a starting point when researching regulations.

For regulatory or legal questions, it may be useful to contact an lawyer that deals with business regulations through the Law Society of Upper Canada's Lawyer Referral Service.

For further information:
call 1-800-668-7380
visit the web site: Law Society of Upper Canada's Lawyer Referral Service

Business Licences

This document is intented to provide general business licencing information for a number of specific industries and is best used as a starting point when researching regulations.

For further information:
see the document:  Business Licences

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act

Find out how accessibility standards, under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, will affect business in Ontario. Businesses and organizations who provide goods and sevices to people in Ontario will have to meet certain accessibility standards in five important areas of our lives.  Customer service, transportation, information and communications, built environment and employment.

For further information:
visit the web site:  Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities

Government of Ontario - Regulatory Registry

The Regulatory Registry is a one-stop website that makes it easier for businesses to find out about the Government of Ontario's regulatory proposals that may affect them and learn about regulations recently approved by the Lieutenant-Governor-In-Council (LGIC).

For further information:
call 1-800-267-8097
visit the web site:  Government of Ontario - Regulatory Registry

2. Start-up Regulations

Business Start-Up Info-Guide

The Business Start-Up Info-Guide is designed to help you navigate through the federal and provincial government programs, services and regulations that may apply to individuals starting a business in Ontario.

For further information:
see the document  Business Start-Up Info-Guide 

Taxation Info-Guide

The Taxation Info-Guide is designed to help you navigate through the federal and provincial government programs, services and regulations related to taxation that may apply to individuals starting or operating a business in Ontario.

For further information:
see the document  Taxation Info-Guide 

3. Municipal Regulations

Each municipal government has the authority to issue its own business licenses within its jurisdiction. Since there is no uniformity throughout the country regarding municipal licenses for businesses, you should consult with the appropriate local officials to determine whether your business will be affected by local regulations and licensing requirements.

Businesses (including home-based businesses) must also meet the zoning by-laws that control property uses in their municipalities.

For further information:
visit the web site:  Association Municipalities of Ontario
see the document  Municipal Requirements to Start a Business

4. Labelling Regulations

Labelling Claims

Specific laws were enacted to ensure that the information on labels is not false or misleading and to ensure prescribed products are labelled in accordance with Regulations.

For further information:
call 1-800-348-5358
see the document  Labelling Claims

Labelling Assessment Tools

The Labelling Assessment Tools provide a quick method for obtaining general information on how to design and check the labelling of products to meet the labelling requirements of federal legislation. 

For further information:
call 1-800-348-5358
visit the web site:  Labelling Assessment Tools
see the document  Labelling Assessment Tools

Labelling - Packaging Consumer Products (Non-Food)

The Competition Bureau administers the packaging and labelling of prepackaged non-food products at all levels of trade.

For further information:
call 1-800-348-5358
visit the web site:  Guide to the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and Regulations
see the document  Labelling - Packaging Consumer Products (Non-Food)

Food Labelling

All producers, manufacturers, advertisers, importers and retailers of food products are subject to food labelling requirements.

For further information:
call 1-800-442-2342
visit the web site:  Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising
see the document  Food Labelling

Labelling - Textiles

The Competition Bureau administers the Textile Labelling Act and the Canadian Care Labelling Program at all levels of trade which specify the requirements for the labelling and advertising of consumer textile articles.

For further information:
call 1-800-348-5358
visit the web site:  Guide to the Textile Labelling and Advertising Regulations
see the document  Labelling - Textiles

Fair Labelling Practices Program

Consumer protection and fair competition for industry. Standards apply to the net quantity, quality, composition, labelling and advertising of all foods in Canada.

For further information:
call 1-800-442-2342
visit the web site:  Fair Labelling Practices Program
see the document  Fair Labelling Practices Program

CA Number Registration and Database

A CA number is a five-digit identification number preceded by the letters CA. Companies use this number to meet provisions of the Textile Labelling Act. 

For further information:
call 1-800-348-5358
visit the web site:  CA Identification Number
see the document CA Number Registration and Database

Labelling Fact Sheet

This fact sheet provides information in regards to labelling.

For further information:
see the document  Labelling Fact Sheet

5. Specific Industry and Product Regulations

Cosmetics Regulations

Manufacturers of cosmetics must print certain information on the labels of each product including its ingredients.

For further information:
call 1-866-225-0709
visit the web site:  Cosmetics Program
see the document  Cosmetics Regulations

Natural Health Products Regulations

The Natural Health Products Regulations apply to the importation, distribution, storage, manufacturing, packaging, labelling, or sale of natural health products.

For further information:
call 1-888-774-5555
visit the web site: Natural Health Products Compliance Guide   (PDF 82.4 KB)
see the document  Natural Health Products Regulations

Medical Devices

The Medical Devices Regulations establishes standards for the proper labelling of medical devices, notification and material used, as well as evidence establishing the safety of a device and proper recall and correction procedures.

For further information:
call 1-866-662-0666
visit the web site:  Therapeutic Products - Medical Devices
see the document  Medical Devices

Television Broadcasting

The Television Broadcasting Regulations set out the regulations on television broadcasting, such as: programming content, program logs and records, political broadcasts, ethnic programs and advertising material.

For further information:
call 1-877-249-2782
visit the web site:  Statutes & Regulations
see the document  Television Broadcasting

Oil and Gas

The Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act administers oil and gas operations on Canada lands. 

For further information:
call 613-992-2916
visit the web site:  Natural Resources Canada
see the document  Oil and Gas

Metal Mining Effluent Regulations

The Regulations apply to all operating metal mines in Canada. The Regulations impose limits on releases of cyanide, metals, and suspended solids, and prohibit the discharge of effluent that is acutely lethal to fish.

For further information:
call 819-953-1105
visit the web site:  New Metal Mining Effluent Regulations
see the document  Metal Mining Effluent Regulations

Commercial Production of Industrial Hemp

The Industrial Hemp Regulations control the activities relating to importation, exportation, possession, production, sale, provision, transport, sending, delivering and offering for sale of industrial hemp.

For further information:
call 1-866-225-0709
visit the web site:  Industrial Hemp Guide - Schedule 4 - Processing
see the document  Commercial Production of Industrial Hemp

Firearms Act and Regulations

Requirements relating to starting a firearms business, including a museum and any private-sector organization that possesses firearms.

For further information:
call 1-800-731-4000
visit the web site: The Canada Firearms Centre
see the document  Firearms Act and Regulations

6. Other Regulations

Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act

The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents (PIPED) Act sets out ground rules for how private sector organizations may collect use or disclose personal information in the course of commercial activities. As of January 1, 2002, the personal health information collected, used or disclosed by these organizations is also covered.

For further information:
call 1-800-282-1376
visit the web site:  A Guide for Businesses and Organizations
see the document Protection of Personal Information - Your Responsibilities

Music License

Performances of music in public, i.e. offices, stores, etc., require a licence. This licence is necessary whether the music is performed by live or recorded means.

For further information:
call 416-445-8700 or 1-800-557-6226
visit the web site:  Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN)

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act

As of May 31, 2006, the Ontario government is prohibiting smoking in all enclosed workplaces and enclosed public places. The legislation will also strengthen measures to ensure only those 19 years of age and older can buy cigarettes and will phase out the display of tobacco products, with a complete ban beginning May 31, 2008.

For further information:
call 416-326-4846
visit these web sites:
Ministry of Health Promotion
Smoke-Free Ontario Act

Building permits

The Building and Development Branch administers the The Building Code Act (BCA) and the The Ontario Building Code (OBC). These codes govern the construction of new buildings as well as the renovation and maintenance of existing buildings.

For further information:
call 416-585-6666
visit the web site: The Ontario Building Code (OBC)

Need more information?

Click:  Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre
Call:   1-800-567-2345
Visit: our  Regional Access Program Locations page  to locate an office near you

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Some of the organizations listed above are not subject to the federal Official Languages Act or the French Language Services Act of Ontario. Their services may not be available in both official languages.

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DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.

Links Policy
Some of the hypertext links lead to non-federal government sites which are not subject to the Official Languages Act and the material is available in one language only.