Harmonized Site Licence and FSRN Harmonized Application Form (Web SLA) Guidance
Contents
- Recommendations for optimal results
- Selecting Licence Type
- Application Information
- Applicant or licensee
- Contact Information
- Site Information
- Site has to be action
- Changes to this site
- Canadian site(s)
- Company Name
- Old and New Company Name fields
- Address
- Old and New address fields
- Quality Assurance Person for this Site
- Old and New quality assurance person fields
- Place of residence
- Storage/Warehouse only
- Activity Types
- Categories of products
- Activities anticipated to begin at the site
- Last time activities were conducted at a site
- GMP Evidence for Canadian sites
- Missed renewal or cancelled site licence
- Previous Issuance Letter Observations
- One-time exemption for SL holders on a 1-year renewal cycle
- Foreign site(s)
- For Importers
- For FSRN Applicants
- Changes to this site
- Company Name
- Old and New Company Name fields
- Address
- Old and New address fields
- Quality Assurance Person for this Site
- Old and New quality assurance person fields
- Place of residence
- Storage/Warehouse only
- Activity Types
- Categories of products
- GMP Evidence for foreign sites
- Missed renewal or cancelled site licence
- Previous Issuance Letter Observations
- Product Information
- Summary
- Reloading a completed form
Recommendations for optimal results
Following the recommendations below will ensure the best possible outcome when using the Web SLA form.
Meet the system requirements and enable JavaScript
While the Web SLA form will function in most browsers, for best results, we recommend using either Firefox 54+ or Chrome 60+. The Web SLA form also requires you to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. When JavaScript is disabled the form will malfunction, e.g. buttons and text fields will be disabled and the French version will be missing some French text. Click on enable JavaScript to find the instructions specific to your browser. If you have concerns with making these changes to your security settings, consult with your IT security advisor first.
Use the Help links to access the help text while filling out the Web SLA form
Every page of the form will have a Help link. Clicking on the link will open the help page corresponding to the section of the web form you are on. While on the help page, you can scroll up and down to continue reading, or select index to navigate to a list of all sections of the user guide. To exit the help page and return to the form, you can click anywhere outside the help text or click the Esc (escape) key on your keyboard.
Save your progress - sessions will timeout
The Web SLA form may be saved at any time on your workstation and resumed at a later time by loading the saved HTML into the form. During an active session, any data you enter in the form will be temporarily retained. However, after 29 minutes of inactivity your session will timeout and any unsaved progress will be lost. A timeout warning will pop up 5 minutes before the actual timeout. Clicking on "Continue session" will refresh the timer. If you are unable to continue with your session, please remember to save your progress prior to exiting the application by clicking on "Save file".
Furthermore, to save your progress on a specific page of the Web SLA, you must hit "Continue", otherwise the work will not be saved.
Allow web pages to refresh before continuing
If you begin to make selections and enter information before the web page has fully refreshed, the information will be lost. Depending on your internet speed it might take several seconds for the web page to refresh. To prevent entering the same information twice, allow the web page to refresh before continuing.
Validate as you go
The Web SLA is continually applying form validation rules to ensure that the information being captured is as accurate and complete as possible. Where applicable, always select the "Continue" button to validate the content of a page before moving onto the next section. Where information is incorrect or where a required field has not been filled, an error message will appear above the page indicating which field has missing or incorrect information. An error message highlighted in red will also display above the field(s) causing the error. You may click on the error message or scroll through the page to access the field(s) to be revised. Be sure to review the entire page and correct each instance before selecting the "Continue" button again. The form will not finalize until these fields are completed correctly. If the page does not have a continue button, then click the "Next" button to move to the next section of the form.
NOTE: For all Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD) forms, required fields are indicated by a red asterisk (*) before the field label and the word "(required)", after the field label.
Use the form's navigation features
The Web SLA has several navigation features that are consistent across the entire form. During an active session, it is highly recommended to use the Web SLA's navigation features rather than the browser's forward and back buttons, which can result in unpredictable form behaviour.
- Table of contents: The table of contents can be accessed from the top right of the Web SLA form. It identifies the main sections of the form and allows you to move between them. Use the table of contents if the form doesn't automatically flow to the next section of the form.
- Save file: To save your progress or to create a template, select "Save file" to save a copy of the Web SLA form to your local drive. The file will be saved in HTML format. You may be prompted to save the file to a specific location, or the file may save automatically to your default download folder. To reopen and continue working on a saved session, select "Load submission from file" from the Web SLA landing page, locate the .html file on your local drive, and select "Load data".
- Exit: Selecting "Exit" during a session will bring you back to the Web SLA form landing page and erase any data from that current session. Only select this option to start a new form without finalizing/saving the current form, or after saving a copy of the current form to your local workstation.
Selecting Licence Type
Businesses that do not require a site licence
- A pharmacist, aboriginal healer, traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, or health care practitioner, who, at the request of a patient, compounds a NHP for the purpose of sale solely to that individual. For clarification on what activities performed by a practitioner requires a site licence, refer to the Natural Health Product (NHP) Compounding Policy.
- Distributors that do not import NHPs into Canada. A distributor is a person who sells NHPs to another person for the purpose of further sale in Canada. However, distributors must follow GMP (as stated in section 43 (1) of the Natural Health Products Regulations).
- Persons (business or individual) performing the activities of growing, harvesting, cleaning, sorting, and/or importing raw material but do not produce a product that is ready for use or consumption by the consumer. For further clarification on how the NNHPD defines a raw material, refer to the Natural Health Product Raw Material Policy. Persons (businesses or individuals) that invoke section 37 of the Food and Drugs Act, to manufacture NHPs for the sole purpose of exporting outside of Canada as per the Import and Export Policy for Health Products under the Food and Drugs Act and its Regulations.
- Persons (businesses or individuals) that manufacture, package, label, or import NHP's solely for the purpose of a clinical trial as per section 26 of the Natural Health Products Regulations. However, the products and activities must conform to the provisions outlined in Part 4 of the Natural Health Products Regulations (Clinical Trials Involving Human Subjects). For more information on clinical trials, including GMP, see the Clinical Trials for Natural Health Products guidance document.
- Testing labs do not require a site licence. However, it is expected that the activity which is required to confirm that a NHP meets its finished product specifications be conducted in a manner that assures accurate and valid results.
Form Language
The language used to fill the site licence application form. Once the applicant or licensee page is confirmed, the language cannot be changed, except by using the New Application button. The available options are English or French.
Licence Type
The available types of applications are as follows:
- Site Licence: A site licence is required for the physical site in Canada where any persons (business or individual) wish to manufacture, package, label, and/or import a NHP for sale.
- Foreign Site Reference Number: A FSRN is issued to a manufacturer, packager and/or labeller of NHPs located outside of Canada, referred to as a foreign site. The reference number issued is not a site licence or authorization for direct export of NHPs into Canada, but rather, a unique reference number. The FSRN holder will engage in a partnership with a licensed Canadian importer in order to export NHPs into Canada.
The licence type selected in the Application Information section determines the layout and behaviour of the web SLA. Note that as the form is highly dependent on this selection, returning to this page and changing licence type will delete all other information already entered in the form.
Application Information
General information about the application is collected on the Application information page. This includes the application type, the site licence number or FSR number, whether a SL was held by the applicant in the past and a description of the notification (if applicable). The application type selected in the Application Information section determines the layout and behaviour of the Web SLA.
Site licence applications
Application types
The available types of applications are as follows:
- New site licence application: a new application for a site licence. This application type applies to companies wishing to conduct licensable activities with NHPs that have never held a SL before or companies which had their previous SL cancelled, suspended or refused.
- Site licence amendment: An amendment is required for one or more of the following changes to a Site Licence: Adding a new activity or category to an already licenced site, adding a new building for manufacturing, packaging, labelling or storage, adding a new foreign site to an importation Site Licence and changing the address of an already licenced site. Whenever possible, it is recommended that multiple amendments to the site licence be made within one application to the NNHPD, rather than multiple separate applications. However, changes to a site are not authorized until the amendment application has been completed and an updated Site Licence issued.
- Site licence change notification: A notification to the NNHPD is required within 60 calendar days after a change in any of the following information contained on an applicant's original submission: Change in Licensee information, Change in senior official information, Change in contact information, Change in quality assurance person (QAP) information, Changes to Building that do not meet the definition of an amendment to a SL, Changes to Practices/Procedures, Changes to Equipment.
- Site licence renewal: A SL holder must renew their Site Licence at least 30 days prior to its expiry date in order to obtain authorization to continue conducting the activities authorized on their existing SL. The Site Licence must be renewed as follows: Every year, when the licensee has held the licence less than three years from the date of issuance, every two years, when the licensee has held the licence for a period of at least three years from the date of issuance but less than nine years, every three years, when the licensee has held the licence for nine years from the date of issuance or more. All applicants must submit their application a minimum of thirty (30) days prior to the expiry date of the Site Licence. Furthermore, companies who have not conducted activities in the 12 months prior to filing their application for site licence renewal (regardless of the renewal cycle), and who do not have records demonstrating their ability to comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), will see their application for renewal refused. A new application will be required prior to initiating or resuming activities.
Site licence Number
Should the application type be an amendment, renewal or notification, provide the site licence number linked to the applicant's site licence. This is a 6 digit number assigned to each site licence. This number begins with a "3" and is found on issued site licences.
Expired site licence
Companies who have failed to submit their site licence renewal (regardless of the renewal cycle) 30 calendar days prior to the Site Licence's expiration date will see their application for renewal refused. A new application will be required prior to initiating or resuming activities. If you previously held a site licence that expired, or was cancelled, select "Yes" in this field.
Cancelled, Refused or Suspended site licence
If your previous licence was cancelled, suspended or refused, evidence that outstanding deficiencies have been resolved is required. This 6 digit number begins with a "3" and is found on issued site licences. If "Yes" was selected in the previous field or the situations described prior apply to the applicant, the previous site licence number must be entered.
Description of notifiable changes to Site Licence
Should the application type be a notification, provide a description of the changes made to a licenced building, changes to practices/procedures and/or changes to equipment. Notifications will be examined for completeness, as a result, be sure to include as much detail as necessary for the review of the change to be performed by the NNHPD.
These notifiable changes are supported by the "Changes reporting in this application" or the "Notification types" set of checkboxes, which include:
- Changes to licensee company name: The name of a company holding a Site Licence, or licensee, has changed. This change will be captured in the Applicant or Licensee section.
- Changes to licensee address: The address of a company holding a Site Licence, or licensee, has changed. This change will be captured in the Applicant or Licensee section.
- Changes to senior official information: The senior official of a company holding a Site Licence, or licensee, or some of their contact information, has changed. This change will be captured in the Contact Information section.
- Changes to contact information: The contact for a site licence application, or some of their contact information, has changed. This change will be captured in the Contact Information section.
- Changes to quality assurance person (QAP) information: The QAP of a company holding a Site Licence, or licensee, or some of their contact information, has changed. This change will be captured in the Contact Information section.
- Changes to building: A change substantially altering a building has taken place. This change will be captured in the Site Information section.
- Changes to Practices/Procedures: A change substantially altering practices or procedures has taken place. This change will be captured in the Site Information section.
- Changes to Equipment: A change substantially altering equipment has taken place. This change will be captured in the Site Information section.
Selecting these notifiable change checkboxes will open additional fields throughout the form to capture the change.
Other authorisations
Indicate all other authorisations granted by Health Canada that are held by the applicant for a Site Licence. Where selections are made, a field requesting the licence number will appear.
Foreign Site Reference Number Applications
The FSRN process is optional
Canadian importers can add foreign companies by providing the GMP information from foreign sites in their own application alleviating the need for a FSRN. Thus, a foreign site has the ability to engage in a partnership with a licensed Canadian importer without an FSRN.
An FSRN is not an authorization to export
The reference number issued is not a site licence or authorization for direct export of NHPs into Canada, but rather a unique reference number. FSRN holders are required to engage in a partnership with a licensed Canadian importer in order to export NHPs into Canada. Therefore, do not apply for a FSRN unless the foreign site is to be listed on a Canadian importer’s site licence.
New FSRN Applications
New FSRN applications will be considered a lower priority for review until further notice.
FSRN renewals
Renewals for FSRN applicatins that relied on pre-cleared GMP evidence and that meet both criteria below will have the validity period extended until further notice.
- The foreign company has been inspected by regulatory/qualified authorities within the last 5 years; and
- There have been no risk issues flagged by a recognized jurisdiction (e.g. US FDA Warning Letter).
Renewals for FSRN applications that relied on non-pre-cleared GMP evidence (i.e. SNC/QAR) with an expiry between 2020-2023 will have the validity period extended until further notice.
Therefore, in light of the continued extension of the period of validity, an application to renew a FSRN is not required at this time. If an application to renew is submitted, it will be returned to the applicant.
Note that Health Canada should be notified if there is a change to the GMP of the facility, which could present a risk to health, including, but not limited to a non-compliant rating from regulatory/ qualified authorities and/or other regulatory action (e.g., Warning letter).
General notes on the FSRN application process
- Each FSRN application that is linked to an importer's active site licence submission will be assessed at the time of reviewing the importer's submission.
- An FSRN application that is not linked to an active site licence submission will be refused. In order to ensure this requirement is met, FSRN applicants are required to confirm which active site licence submission they are associated with on their cover letter (i.e. provide the submission number or name of the importer).
- An FSRN application is limited to 1 site per application as the NNHPD issues FSRNs on an individual site basis.
Application types
The available types of applications are as follows:
- New foreign Site Reference Number: a new application for a FSRN. This application type applies to foreign companies wishing to obtain a FSRN indicating that the foreign site is found to be in compliance with Part 3, GMP, of the Natural Health Products Regulations.
- Foreign Site Reference Number Modification: an amendment or notifiable change to an existing FSRN. FSRN amendments consist of the following and must be supported by evidence of GMP compliance: adding a new activity, relocation of a site (change of address). An FSRN notification, on the other hand, must be submitted to the NNHPD within 60 calendar days of implementation and consists of the following: a change in the name, mailing address, telephone number, fax number, e-mail address, building, equipment, practices or procedures.
- Foreign Site Reference Number GMP Update: In order to maintain the status of a FSRN, the applicant must submit a renewal application in sufficient time to the NNHPD. A FSRN will expire one year after the date of issuance if a Quality Assurance Report (QAR) was provided as GMP evidence. A FSRN will expire three years after the date of inspection if pre-cleared GMP evidence was provided.
Applicant or licensee
The Applicant or licensee page captures information about the company in whose name the site licence or FSRN is to be registered (the applicant will be referred to as the licensee once a licence or reference number has been granted). The Company name, Company code, Street, City and Country are required in all cases. The Province/State and the Postal/ZIP Code are also required. Postal/ZIP codes must be displayed in the appropriate format (X#X #X#, X#X#X#, or #####, where X represents a letter and # a number). After the information has been entered, select the "Continue" button to save and navigate to the next section of the form.
Company Code
The company code is a unique five digit code which is assigned to an individual company by the NNHPD. On the Applicant/Licensee page, the company code must be the one assigned to the applicant/licensee. Do not use a third party contact's company code on this page as this will cause a delay in the processing of your submission and may result in the rejection of your application. If you do not have a valid applicant/licensee company code, please submit a request via the email address (nnhpd-dpsnso@hc-sc.gc.ca) and indicate "Request for a company code" in the subject line. In the body of the email please include the same company contact information you will be using to complete your web SLA form such as company name, address, and senior official.
Company Name
This is a free form text field in which the applicant is to indicate the full legal name of the applicant or company applying for a site licence. Do not abbreviate applicant/company name.
Old and New Company Name fields
If the "Changes to licensee company name" was previously selected, Old and New company names fields will become mandatory, used to capture the change in information. The previous company name, the one being changed, is captured in the Old Company Name field and should be written identically to the name used in past site licence submissions. The new name is captured in the New Company Name field.Company Mailing Address
Provide the full mailing address of the applicant/company identified in the company name field. If a suite/unit number is used, provide the suite/unit number in addition to the street and street number, the city/town, the province/state and the postal code/zip code.
Should the application be for a site licence, the country will be locked to Canada in the "Country" field.
Postal/ZIP codes must be displayed in the appropriate format (X#X #X#, X#X#X#, or #####, where X represents a letter and # a number).
Old and New Company Mailing Address fields
If the "Changes to licensee address" was previously selected, Old and New mailing address fields will become mandatory, used to capture the change in information. The previous company mailing address, the one being changed, is captured in the Old mailing address field and should be written identically to the address used in previous site licence submissions. The new address is captured in the New mailing address field.
Contact Information
The contacts table automatically includes a row for each required contact person: senior official, application contact and quality assurance person (if applicable). One of the SL application contacts must be physically located in Canada and will be held responsible for the quality of manufactured, packaged, labelled and/or imported NHPs, as applicable. To input or modify contact information, select the "Modify" button next to the corresponding contact. On the next page, input all required contact information and select the "Continue" button to return to the contact information table.
Senior Official
A senior official must always be designated for the applicant company. This principal contact for the applicant, at the address given, is the person to whom regulatory mail is sent. This is not the contact for site licence application-specific questions, but rather the person who represents the company. This individual should be a senior person in the company such as the Chief Executive Officer or a director. In some cases, especially small businesses, one person may be indicated as senior official and contact for the application. If the senior official of the applicant company changes, the NNHPD must be notified of this change in writing by completing a Site Licence Notification or FSRN Update.
Language preferred
The preferred language of the Senior Official. The language selected will dictate the language used for all regulatory mail, including the site licence.
Senior Official Contact Information
The information needed to contact the senior official: the full mailing address, telephone number, fax number (if available) and e-mail address. The full mailing address is not required if the Senior Official is located at the same address as the applicant company indicated in the Applicant or Licensee page.
Postal/ZIP codes must be displayed in the appropriate format (X#X #X#, X#X#X#, or #####, where X represents a letter and # a number).
Phone and fax numbers must be entered in the appropriate format (regional code (###)-###-####, for Canada and United States, where # represents a number).
Email addresses must be entered in the appropriate format (X#@X#.XXX, where X represents a letter and # a number. X# represents a combination of letters and numbers of varying length).
Old and New Senior Official fields
If the "Changes to senior official information" was previously selected, Old and new Senior Official fields will become mandatory, used to capture the change in information. The Old senior official information is captured in the Old senior official set of fields. Address information for the previous Senior Official is not required. The new senior official information is captured in the New senior official set of fields.
Contact for this application
The contact for this application is the person to whom the NHPD will direct site licence application-specific questions. This may be an employee of the licensee/applicant, or an individual contracted from another company on behalf of the applicant (for example, a consultant). If the contact for this application is also the senior official for the company, select yes in "contact same as Senior Official" and this section will be auto-completed.
Language preferred
The preferred language of the contact for this application. The language selected will dictate the language used for communication related to this application.
Contact for this Application Contact Information
The information needed to contact the contact for this application: the full mailing address, telephone number, fax number (if available) and e-mail address. The full mailing address is not required if the contact for this application is located at the same address as the senior official.
Postal/ZIP codes must be displayed in the appropriate format (X#X #X#, X#X#X#, or #####, where X represents a letter and # a number).
Phone and fax numbers must be entered in the appropriate format (regional code (###)-###-####, for Canada and United States, where # represents a number).
Email addresses must be entered in the appropriate format (X#@X#.XXX, where X represents a letter and # a number. X# represents a combination of letters and numbers of varying length).
Old and New Application contacts fields
If the "Changes to contact information" was previously selected, old and new application contact fields will become mandatory, used to capture the change in information. The old application contact information is captured in the old application contact set of fields. Address information for the previous application contact is not required. The new applicant information is captured in the new application contact set of fields.
Quality Assurance Person
Section 51(1)(a) of the Natural Health Products Regulations requires that every manufacturer, packager, labeller, importer and distributor have a quality assurance person (QAP) who is responsible for assuring the quality of the natural health product before it is made available for sale, and has training, experience and technical knowledge relating to the activity being conducted and the requirements of Part 3 (Good Manufacturing Practices) of the Regulations. If the Quality Assurance Person is also the contact for this application, select yes in "QAP same as contact for this application" and this section will be auto-completed.
Quality Assurance Person Contact Information
The information needed to contact the Quality Assurance Person: the full mailing address, telephone number, fax number (if available) and e-mail address. The full mailing address is not required if the Quality Assurance Person is located at the same address as the contact for this application.
Postal/ZIP codes must be displayed in the appropriate format (X#X #X#, X#X#X#, or #####, where X represents a letter and # a number).
Phone and fax numbers must be entered in the appropriate format (regional code (###)-###-####, for Canada and United States, where # represents a number).
Email addresses must be entered in the appropriate format (X#@X#.XXX, where X represents a letter and # a number. X# represents a combination of letters and numbers of varying length).
Old and New quality assurance person fields
If the "Changes to quality assurance person information" was previously selected, Old and new quality assurance person (QAP) contact fields will become mandatory, used to capture the change in information. The Old QAP contact information is captured in the Old QAP contact set of fields. The address information for the previous QAP contact is not required. The new QAP information is captured in the New application contact set of fields.
Basis for the Quality Assurance Person's qualifications
A set of field asks the applicant to attest to how the company's QAP meets s.51 of the Natural Health Products Regulations requirements by selecting from acceptable training, experience and technical knowledge.
With respect to experience, a distinction is made between experience performing quality assurance (QA) duties specifically and experience applying GMPs more generally:
- Experience performing QA duties: Refers specifically to employment held in the QA department and duties conducted within it as a QAP or a member of the QA team. This may include handling complaints and returns, reviewing and approving products for release, approving materials for use in the manufacture of products, approving and implementing SOPs, and conducting product recalls.
- Experience applying GMPs: Refers specifically to the entirety of the processes, procedures and equipment used to manufacture, package, label or import a product. This could include experience holding positions in various departments such as production and warehousing.
Site Information
General information about the sites conducting licensable activities is collected on the Site information page. This includes the building information, Quality Assurance Person information for the site(s), changes to an existing site (if applicable), information on the activities conducted at the site(s) for specific categories of products and the GMP evidence to be used for the site(s).
Site has to be action
As part of the site licensing process, applicants must identify the action that should be taken on each site as they are adding sites to the Site information section. These options change depending on the application type selected at the start of the form:
- Added: The addition of a new site to an existing Site Licence or when applying for a new Site Licence.
- Modified / Renewed with modifications: The modification of an existing site on an existing Site Licence or of an existing site to be renewed during a renewal application.
- Deleted: The removal of an existing site from an existing Site Licence.
- Renewed: The renewal of an existing site during a renewal application.
Changes to this site
This section will only open if the "Modified" or "Renewed with modifications" options were previously chosen. Select only those that apply. This section opens for completion solely if "Amendment" or "Notification" was selected as the Application Type.
- Name/Address: Select if the building entered in this section has gone through a name change or changed addresses. Select this option only if the site was listed on the company's most recent site licence issuance under the old name or address.
- QAP Information: Select if the QAP information for the building entered in this section has changed.
- Activities: Select if the approved activities for the building entered in this section are to be changed. Select this option only if the site was listed on the company's most recent site licence issuance with the old set of activities.
- Practices or procedures/equipment: Select if practices, procedures or equipment for the building have been modified.
NOTE: In the context of modifications at renewal, do note that the NNHPD does not accept amendments at renewal (i.e. changes to site addresses or the activities of activity conducting sites). As such, a warning message will appear if amendment options are chosen instructing the applicant to apply in 2 separate packages.
Canadian site(s)
This is the building (or buildings) where licensable activities (manufacturing, packaging, labelling, importing and/or storage of NHPs) are performed in Canada. Only include Canadian sites implicated in the application, meaning for:
- New applications: List all Canadian sites that are proposed to conduct licensable activities following the issuance of the site licence.
- Amendments: List only the Canadian sites to be amended or added. Do not include other sites that are already on your licence as the link between the site licence holder and the amendment to their site licence is already made in the Applicant or Licensee page. Sites can be added, modified or deleted.
- Renewals: List all Canadian sites authorized to conduct activities on the previous site licence that are to be renewed. Should sites need to be removed from the Site Licence at renewal, do not list them as Canadian sites under this application and they will be removed following the review of the renewal. New sites will not be added at renewal.
Company Name
This is a free form text field. Enter the full name of the building conducting licensable activities with natural health products. Do not abbreviate company name.
Old and New Company Name fields
If "Name" was selected in the "What has to be modified?" list, Old and New company names fields will become mandatory, used to capture the change in information. The previous company name, the one being changed, is captured in the Old Company Name field. The new name is captured in the New Company Name field.
Address
Provide the full address of the building identified in the building address field. Do not enter a P.O. Box or mailing address, enter the address of the building where activities are conducted. If a suite/unit number is used, provide the suite/unit number in addition to the street and street number, the city/town, the province and the postal code.
Postal/ZIP codes must be displayed in the appropriate format (X#X #X#, X#X#X#, or #####, where X represents a letter and # a number).
Old and New address fields
If "Address" was selected in the "What has to be modified?" list, Old and New address fields will become mandatory, used to capture the change in information. The previous company address, the one being changed, is captured in the Old address set of fields. The new name is captured in the New address set of fields.
Quality Assurance Person for this Site
The individual who is responsible for assuring the quality of the NHP before it is made available for sale. This person should be qualified by education, training and/or experience relating to the specific activity (i.e. manufacturing, packaging, labelling and/importing).
Phone and fax numbers must be entered in the appropriate format (regional code (###)-###-####, for Canada and United States, where # represents a number).
Email addresses must be entered in the appropriate format (X#@X#.XXX, where X represents a letter and # a number. X# represents a combination of letters and numbers of varying length).
Old and New quality assurance person fields
If "QAP information" was selected in the "What has to be modified?" list, Old and new quality assurance person (QAP) contact fields will become mandatory, used to capture the change in information. The Old QAP contact information is captured in the Old QAP contact set of fields. The address information for the previous QAP contact is not required. The new QAP information is captured in the New application contact set of fields.
Place of residence
Indicate if the proposed site is a place of residence.
Storage/Warehouse only
Select "YES" if the building will be used for warehousing/storage only, in which case indication of additional activities will not be necessary for this site. Storage and warehousing refer to a site, also called a warehouse, whose main purpose is to hold natural health products.
Activity Types
The available activity types are as follows:
- Manufacturing: Refers to a person who fabricates or processes a natural health product for the purpose of sale, but does not include a pharmacist or other health care practitioner who, at the request of the patient, compounds a natural health product for the purpose of sale to that patient.
- Packaging: Refers to a person who puts a finished natural health product in its immediate container. Not to be confused with secondary packaging, defined as placing an NHP in its immediate package/container into a secondary package/container, which under the Natural Health Products Regulations, is considered labelling of NHPs. A site conducting solely secondary packaging should select solely "Labeller" as activity type.
- Labelling: Refers to a person who affixes the inner or outer label of the natural health product. A label is defined as including any legend, word or mark attached to, included in, belonging to or accompanying any Natural health product. Note that secondary packaging, defined as placing an NHP in its immediate package/container into a secondary package/container, is considered labelling of NHPs under the Natural Health Products Regulations. A site conducting solely secondary packaging should select solely "Labeller" as activity type.
- Importing: Refers to a person who imports a natural health product into Canada, for the purpose of sale. This would also include bulk natural health products. Selection of this activity type will open the "foreign site(s) information" fields on this page. Information on the site(s) from which product(s) are to be imported should be included in that section.
Categories of products
The available categories of products are as follows:
- Non-sterile: Refers to a natural health product, a substance set out in Schedule 1 of the Natural Health Products Regulations or a combination of substances in which all the medicinal ingredients are substances set out in Schedule 1, that is not defined as a sterile or homeopathic product.
- Sterile: Refers to products manufactured, packaged, labelled or imported in a dosage form that is free from viable microorganisms. Should sterile activities be selected, sufficient GMP evidence to demonstrate compliance with sections 59 and 60 of the Natural Health Products Regulations must be provided along with the required GMP evidence for this site.
- Homeopathic: Refers to medicines that are manufactured from or contain as medicinal ingredients only those substances or sources referenced in The Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States (HPUS), the Homöopathische Arzneibuch (HAB), the Pharmacopée Française (PhF) or the European Pharmacopoeia, as amended from time to time, and that are prepared in accordance with these pharmacopoeias. Should homeopathic activities be selected, a Supplementary Quality Assurance Report (SQAR) must be provided in addition to a QAR as this form covers all the additional GMP requirements for homeopathic medicines as outlined in Appendix 1 of the GMP guidance document.
NOTE: if this is a renewal, only activities authorized in the most recent issuance of the licence will be renewed. Changes to activities should be done by submitting a site licence amendment.
Activities anticipated to begin at the site
If the site was selected as "added" to the Site Licence, the applicant must enter when activities are set to begin at this site. If the activities at the site are not anticipated to begin in the next 12 months, the site will be categorized as "Theoretical" and may not be added to the Site Licence. The applicant should apply to add the site at a later time, closer to when activities are set to begin as, upon renewal, the applicant will be required to provide records demonstrating that activities have been conducted according to Part 3 of the Natural Health Products Regulations.
Last time activities were conducted at a site
If the site was selected as "renewed" or "renewed with modifications", the applicant must enter when activities were last conducted at this site. The applicant is required to provide records demonstrating activities have been conducted according to Part 3 of the Natural Health Products Regulations at renewal. As a result, sites that have not conducted activities in the last 12 months and that do not have records available as a result, may be removed from the Site Licence.
GMP Evidence for Canadian sites
The acceptable GMP evidence to provide for this site is dependent on the Application Type selected in the previous section of the form, therefore some types of evidence listed below may not be shown as an option. Select the GMP evidence to be provided for this site:
- Quality Assurance Report: The QAR form is a report prepared by the quality assurance person responsible for the site, who has the training, experience and technical knowledge relating to the activities conducted and the requirements of Part 3, GMP, of the Natural Health Products Regulations. This report is based on the assessment against the GMP requirements set out in the GMP guidance document. The QAR is considered to be an attestation by the applicant that the site meets all the requirements of Part 3, GMP, of the Regulations. A QAR is valid for a period of one year from the date of completion by the quality assurance person. Only acceptable as evidence for new applicants that never held a licence previously, or if adding a new site to an existing site licence.
- Supplementary Quality Assurance Report: Manufacturers of NHPs used in homeopathy must complete and submit this form in addition to the standard QAR. This form covers all the additional GMP requirements for homeopathic medicines as outlined in Appendix 1 of the GMP guidance document. The SQAR is valid for a period of one year from the date of completion by the quality assurance person. Only acceptable as evidence for new sites that will conduct activities with homeopathic products.
- Summary of Net Changes (SNC): A report prepared by the quality assurance person responsible for the site, who has the training, experience and technical knowledge relating to the activities conducted and the requirements of Part 3, GMP, of the Regulations. This report allows the applicant to identify changes to the site which have occurred since the QAR was provided. The SNC is considered to be an attestation by the applicant that the site meets all the requirements of Part 3, GMP, of the Regulations. Copies of completed records from within the last 12 months are required along with the SNC form. Though the NNHPD may request additional records based on the totality of information provided and the assessment conducted, one record is required for each section per site. If there have been changes to the building(s), practice(s) and procedure(s), you are also required to complete and submit the relevant section(s) of the QAR form or provide another form of acceptable GMP evidence to support the change(s). The SNC is valid 1 year from date of completion.
- Drug Establishment Licence (DEL): DEL holders may submit a copy of their current DEL demonstrating compliance with the requirements of part C, divisions 2 to 4 of the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR). The DEL lists all buildings where activities are authorized for drug products under the FDR. By submitting a DEL, the site licence applicant is attesting to following the same standards for NHPs as for drugs. Questions regarding the scope of the inspection are asked to determine whether the GMP certificate is valid evidence. If drug GMP standardsis are not also applied to the manufacture of NHPs at this site, the evidence is not acceptable and a different type of evidence must be selected. The DEL holders must submit alternate evidence of GMP compliance for those additional NHP related activities and building addresses that were not inspected and are not listed. The DEL remains valid GMP Evidence so long as the DEL is active.
- GMP Certificate from a Qualified Authority: A qualified authority is an authority member from a country where Health Canada has a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) regarding GMP for drug products, or an authority member of the Pharmaceutical Inspection Cooperation Scheme (PIC/S) regarding GMP for drug/human medicinal products. Questions regarding the scope of the inspection are asked to determine whether the GMP certificate is valid evidence. If the inspection scope is not for human drug products or if the GMP standard of the inspection is not alsoapplied to the manufacture of NHPs at this site, the evidence is not acceptable and a different type of evidence must be selected. A list of PIC/S members can be found on the PIC/S website and a list of MRA authorities can be found on the Health Canada website. The certificate must cover all the NHP related activities, equipment and buildings at the site and must be provided in one of Canada's official languages. A certificate from a qualified authority is valid for a period of three years from the date of the inspection.
- NSF Standard 173 section 8 Certificate: NSF International Standard 173, Section 8 for Dietary Supplements Certificate has been found to partially cover the requirements of Part 3, GMP, of the Natural Health Products Regulations and may be submitted in support of a site licence application along with additional supporting information. Specifically, this standard does not include equivalent requirements related to testing as indicated in Part 3 of the Regulations. Therefore, along with the inspection report and corrective actions, section 44 (finished product testing) and 52 (stability) information are required. The report must cover all the NHP related activities, equipment and buildings at the site. The NSF audit is valid for a period of three years from the date of the audit.
- UL Report: UL Report has been found to partially cover the requirements of Part 3, GMP, of the Natural Health Products Regulations and may be submitted in support of a site licence application along with additional supporting information. Specifically, this standard does not include equivalent requirements related to testing as indicated in Part 3 of the Regulations. Therefore, along with this evidence type, section 44 (finished product testing) and 52 (stability) information are required. The report must cover all the NHP related activities, equipment and buildings at the site. The NSF audit is valid for a period of three years from the date of the audit.
- US FDA Establishment Inspection Report (FDA EIR): Note that if the inspection was conducted according to the FDA GMP standards for dietary supplements, it does not include equivalent requirements related to testing as indicated in Part 3 of the Natural Health Products Regulations. Therefore, along with the inspection report, the 483 form and associated corrective actions, section 44 (finished product testing) and 52 (stability) information are required. The report must cover all the NHP related activities, equipment and buildings at the site. The FDA audit is valid for a period of three years from the date of the audit. Questions regarding the scope of the inspection are asked to determine whether the FDA EIR is valid evidence. If the inspection scope is not for human drug products, or if the GMP standard of the inspection is not also applied to the manufacture of NHPs at this site, the evidence is not acceptable and a different type of evidence must be selected.
Missed renewal or cancelled site licence
If the applicant previously conducted activities under a Site Licence that expired, was refused or cancelled by the NNHPD, then a SNC form is required in place of a QAR form, even though the application is considered new.
Previous Issuance Letter Observations
Review past issuance letters for observations made by NNHPD at the conclusion of previous application reviews. You will be required to provide evidence that all observations have been corrected with your Renewal or Amendment documents, accordingly.
One-time exemption for SL holders on a 1-year renewal cycle
The approach described within The Natural Health Product Site Licensing Bulletin #4, for providing a one-time exemption to newer SL holders on a 1-year renewal cycle, acknowledges and aims to support the situation where more than 12 months may be initially required for a new SL holder to establish necessary business relationships and start conducting activities. If, after receiving this exemption, companies still can not demonstrate that they have begun conducting activities by the time the next renewal application is due and can not demonstrate their ability to comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), then these companies will see their application for renewal refused and will need to apply for a new site licence. Contact the NNHPD at nnhpd-dpsnso@hc-sc.gc.ca for more information on how to apply through the webSLA in this situation.
Foreign site(s)
This is the building (or buildings) where licensable activities, manufacturing, packaging, labelling are performed outside of Canada. This section is mandatory for completion solely if the Licence Type was selected as "foreign site Reference Number" or if a Canadian site was selected as being an importer of NHPs.
For Importers
Only include foreign sites implicated in the application, meaning for:
- New SL applications: Include information for all foreign Sites that are proposed to conduct licensable activities following the emission of the site licence.
- SL Renewals: All foreign sites authorized to conduct activities on the previous site licence that are to be renewed. Should sites need to be removed from the site licence at renewal, do not list them as foreign sites under this application and they will be removed following the review of the renewal.
- SL Amendments: Include foreign sites proposed to be amended to the site licence. Unless the amendment concerns a foreign site already included under the SL, adding already licenced sites is not necessary for amendment applications as the link between the site licence holder and the amendment to their site licence is already made Applicant or Licensee page.
For FSRN Applicants
- New FSRN application: Include all information for the site involved in licensable activities. Note that only 1 site can be included per FSRN. Should an applicant wish to obtain a FSRN for more then 1 of their sites, multiple FSRN applications should be provided.
- FSRN modification: Include site(s) to be updated or modified.
- FSRN GMP Evidence Update: Include site(s) to undergo a GMP Evidence Update.
Changes to this site
This section is used to describe changes to a site. Select only those that apply. This section opens for completion solely if "Amendment" or "Notification" was selected as the Application Type.
- Name/Address: Select if the building entered in this section has gone through a name change or changed addresses. Select this option only if the site was listed on the company's most recent site licence issuance under the old name or address.
- QAP Information: Select if the QAP information for the building entered in this section has changed.
- Activities: Select if the approved activities for the building entered in this section are to be changed. Select this option only if the site was listed on the company's most recent site licence issuance with the old set of activities.
- Practices or procedures/equipment: Select if practices, procedures or equipment for the building have been modified.
Company Name
This is a free form text field. Enter the full name of the building conducting licensable activities with natural health products. Do not abbreviate company name.
Old and New Company Name fields
If "Name" was selected in the "What has to be modified?" list, Old and New company names fields will become mandatory, used to capture the change in information. The previous company name, the one being changed, is captured in the Old Company Name field. The new name is captured in the New Company Name field.
Address
Provide the full address of the building identified in the building name field. Do not enter a P.O. Box or mailing address, enter the address of the building where activities are conducted. If a suite/unit number is used, provide the suite/unit number in addition to the street and street number, the city/town, the province and the postal code.
Postal/ZIP codes must be displayed in the appropriate format (X#X #X#, X#X#X#, or #####, where X represents a letter and # a number).
Old and New address fields
If "Address" was selected in the "What has to be modified?" list, Old and New address fields will become mandatory, used to capture the change in information. The previous company address, the one being changed, is captured in the Old address set of fields. The new name is captured in the New address set of fields.
Quality Assurance Person for this Site
The individual who is responsible for assuring the quality of the NHP before it is made available for sale. This person should be qualified by education, training and/or experience relating to the specific activity (i.e. manufacturing, packaging, labelling and/importing).
Phone and fax numbers must be entered in the appropriate format (regional code (###)-###-####, for Canada and United States, where # represents a number). Email addresses must be entered in the appropriate format (X#@X#.XXX, where X represents a letter and # a number. X# represents a combination of letters and numbers of varying length).
Old and New quality assurance person fields
If "QAP information" was selected in the "What has to be modified?" list, Old and new quality assurance person (QAP) contact fields will become mandatory, used to capture the change in information. The Old QAP contact information is captured in the Old QAP contact set of fields. The address information for the previous QAP contact is not required. The new QAP information is captured in the New application contact set of fields.
Place of residence
Indicate if the proposed site is a place of residence.
Storage/Warehouse only
Indicate if the building will be used for warehousing/storage only, in which case indication of additional activities will not be necessary for this site. Storage and warehousing refer to a site, also called a warehouse, whose main purpose is to hold natural health products.
Activity Types
The available activity types are as follows:
- Manufacturing: Refers to a person who fabricates or processes a natural health product for the purpose of sale, but does not include a pharmacist or other health care practitioner who, at the request of the patient, compounds a natural health product for the purpose of sale to that patient.
- Packaging: Refers to a person who puts a finished natural health product in its immediate container. Not to be confused with secondary packaging, defined as placing an NHP in its immediate package/container into a secondary package/container, which under the Natural Health Products Regulations, is considered labelling of NHPs. A site conducting solely secondary packaging should select solely "Labeller" as activity type.
- Labelling: Refers to a person who affixes the inner or outer label of the natural health product. A label is defined as including any legend, word or mark attached to, included in, belonging to or accompanying any Natural health product. Note that secondary packaging, defined as placing an NHP in its immediate package/container into a secondary package/container, is considered labelling of NHPs under the Natural Health Products Regulations. A site conducting solely secondary packaging should select solely "Labeller" as activity type.
Categories of products
The available categories of products are as follows:
- Non-sterile: Refers to a natural health product, a substance set out in Schedule 1 of the Natural Health Products Regulations or a combination of substances in which all the medicinal ingredients are substances set out in Schedule 1, that is not defined as sterile or homeopathic product.
- Sterile: Refers to products manufactured, packaged, labelled or imported in a dosage form that is free from viable microorganisms. Should sterile activities be selected, sufficient GMP evidence to demonstrate compliance with sections 59 and 60 of the Natural Health Products Regulations must be provided, along with the required acceptable GMP evidence for this site.
- Homeopathic: Refers to medicines that are manufactured from or contain as medicinal ingredients only those substances or sources referenced in The Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States (HPUS), the Homöopathische Arzneibuch (HAB), the Pharmacopée Française (PhF) or the European Pharmacopoeia, as amended from time to time, and that are prepared in accordance with these pharmacopoeias. Should homeopathic activities be selected, a SQAR must be provided in addition to a QAR as this form covers all the additional GMP requirements for homeopathic medicines as outlined in Appendix 1 of the GMP guidance document.
NOTE: if this is a FSRN GMP Evidence Update, only activities authorized in the most recent issuance of the FSRN will be renewed. Changes to activities should be done by submitting a site licence amendment.
GMP Evidence for foreign sites
The acceptable GMP evidence to provide for this site is dependent on the Application Type selected in the previous section of the form, therefore some types of evidence listed below may not be shown as an option. Select the GMP evidence to be provided for this site:
- Quality Assurance Report: The QAR form is a report prepared by the quality assurance person responsible for the site, who has the training, experience and technical knowledge relating to the activities conducted and the requirements of Part 3, GMP, of the Natural Health Products Regulations. This report is based on the assessment against the GMP requirements set out in the GMP guidance document. The QAR is considered to be an attestation by the applicant that the site meets all the requirements of Part 3, GMP, of the Regulations. A QAR is valid for a period of one year from the date of completion by the quality assurance person. Only acceptable as evidence for new applicants that never held a licence previously, or if adding a new site to an existing site licence.
- Supplementary Quality Assurance Report: Manufacturers of NHPs used in homeopathy must complete and submit this form in addition to the standard QAR. This form covers all the additional GMP requirements for homeopathic medicines as outlined in Appendix 1 of the GMP guidance document. The SQAR is valid for a period of one year from the date of completion by the quality assurance person. Only acceptable as evidence for new sites that will conduct activities with homeopathic products.
- Summary of Net Changes: A report prepared by the quality assurance person responsible for the site, who has the training, experience and technical knowledge relating to the activities conducted and the requirements of Part 3, GMP, of the Natural Health Products Regulations. This report allows the applicant to identify changes to the site which have occurred since the QAR was provided. The SNC is considered to be an attestation by the applicant that the site meets all the requirements of Part 3, GMP, of the Regulations. Samples of specific completed records from within the last 12 months are required along with the SNC form. Though the NNHPD may request additional records based on the totality of information provided and the assessment conducted, one sample record is required for each section per site. If there have been changes to the building(s), practice(s) and procedure(s), you are also required to complete and submit the relevant section(s) of the QAR form or provide another form of acceptable GMP evidence to support the change(s). The SNC is valid 1 year from date of completion.
- Drug Establishment Licence (DEL): DEL holders may submit a copy of their current DEL demonstrating compliance with the requirements of part C, divisions 2 to 4 of the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR). The DEL lists all buildings where activities are authorized for drug products under the FDR. By submitting a DEL, the site licence applicant is attesting to following the same standards for NHPs as for drugs. Questions regarding the scope of the inspection are asked to determine whether the GMP certificate is valid evidence. If drug GMP standardsis are not also applied to the manufacture of NHPs at this site, the evidence is not acceptable and a different type of evidence must be selected. The DEL holders must submit alternate evidence of GMP compliance for those additional NHP related activities and building addresses that were not inspected and are not listed. The DEL remains valid GMP Evidence so long as the DEL is active.
- Foreign Site Reference Number (FSRN) Authorization: The NNHPD may issue a FSRN to a foreign site that has demonstrated compliance to Part 3, GMP, of the Natural Health Products Regulations via a separate FSRN application process. Once issued a FSRN, foreign site owners may authorize Canadian importers to reference their FSRN as an alternative to providing GMP evidence for their site. This process protects confidential manufacturing information and helps to expedite the review process. The FSRN is valid for a period of one or three years from the date of issuance, depending on the type of supporting GMP evidence provided in support of the foreign site.
- GMP Certificate from a Qualified Authority: A qualified authority is an authority member from a country where Health Canada has a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) regarding GMP for drug products, or an authority member of the Pharmaceutical Inspection Cooperation Scheme (PIC/S) regarding GMP for drug/human medicinal products. Questions regarding the scope of the inspection are asked to determine whether the GMP certificate is valid evidence. If the inspection scope is not for human drug products or if the GMP standard of the inspection is not alsoapplied to the manufacture of NHPs at this site, the evidence is not acceptable and a different type of evidence must be selected. A list of PIC/S members can be found on the PIC/S website and a list of MRA authorities can be found on the Health Canada website. The certificate must cover all the NHP related activities, equipment and buildings at the site and must be provided in one of Canada's official languages. A certificate from a qualified authority is valid for a period of three years from the date of the inspection.
- NSF Standard 173 section 8 Certificate: NSF International Standard 173, Section 8 for Dietary Supplements Certificate has been found to partially cover the requirements of Part 3, GMP, of the Natural Health Products Regulations and may be submitted in support of a site licence application along with additional supporting information. Specifically, this standard does not include equivalent requirements related to testing as indicated in Part 3 of the Regulations. Therefore, along with the inspection report and corrective actions, section 44 (finished product testing) and 52 (stability) information are required. The report must cover all the NHP related activities, equipment and buildings at the site. The NSF audit is valid for a period of three years from the date of the audit.
- UL Report: UL Report has been found to partially cover the requirements of Part 3, GMP, of the Natural Health Products Regulations and may be submitted in support of a site licence application along with additional supporting information. Specifically, this standard does not include equivalent requirements related to testing as indicated in Part 3 of the Regulations. Therefore, along with this evidence type, section 44 (finished product testing) and 52 (stability) information are required. The report must cover all the NHP related activities, equipment and buildings at the site. The NSF audit is valid for a period of three years from the date of the audit.
- US FDA Establishment Inspection Report (FDA EIR): Note that if the inspection was conducted according to the FDA GMP standards for dietary supplements, it does not include equivalent requirements related to testing as indicated in Part 3 of the Natural Health Products Regulations. Therefore, along with the inspection report, the 483 form and associated corrective actions, section 44 (finished product testing) and 52 (stability) information are required. The report must cover all the NHP related activities, equipment and buildings at the site. The FDA audit is valid for a period of three years from the date of the audit. Questions regarding the scope of the inspection are asked to determine whether the FDA EIR is valid evidence. If the inspection scope is not for human drug products, or if the GMP standard of the inspection is not also applied to the manufacture of NHPs at this site, the evidence is not acceptable and a different type of evidence must be selected.
NOTE: The validity period of a FSRN depends on the type of GMP evidence provide for the site and its validity period as described above. The FSRN could have a validity period of up to three years.
Missed renewal or cancelled site licence
If the applicant previously conducted activities under a site licence that expired, was refused or cancelled by the NNHPD, then a SNC form is required in place of a QAR form, even though the application is considered new.
Previous Issuance Letter Observations
Review past issuance letters for observations made by NNHPD. You will be required to provide evidence that all observations have been corrected with your Renewal or Amendment documents, accordingly.
Product Information
List all Natural Health Products that have been handled in the last 12 months at the sites included in this application and/or the NHPs planned to be handled in the next 12 months following the issuance of a new or amended site licence. If the product is currently in queue for assessment with the NNHPD, select the "Is the product licence application for this product currently with the NNHPD?" checkbox to manually enter the necessary information for the product.
If the site conducting activities with this product is strictly a contract labeller, select the “Is the site licence holder solely a contract labeller of NHPs?” checkbox. Labelling is defined as affixing the inner or outer label of the natural health product (NHP). Note that, secondary packaging; placing an NHP immediate container into a secondary package/container, is considered as a labelling activity by the NNHPD. As a result, a contract labeler is defined as a company contracted to label products from another company where the release for sale on the Canadian market is the responsibility of the client. If the site meets this definition, keep this checkbox activated. The supply chain information will not be required in this case, but can be entered if known by the applicant. For companies not meeting this strict definition, this checkbox should be unchecked and the supply chain section is expected to be filled.
Do not include product information for sites not implicated in the application. This sub-section is mandatory for amendment and renewal applications as it is expected the site licence holder keeps records of the products manufactured, packaged, labelled and/or imported by their company and all foreign under their SL. This sub-section is optional for new SL applications, notifications of change and all FSRN application types. However, should this information be known, we ask this sub-section is filled by the applicant.
For companies where the one-time exemption for SL holders on a 1-year renewal cycle is applicable and claimed, filling the Product Information section may not be required. Contact the NNHPD at nnhpd-dpsnso@hc-sc.gc.ca for more information on how to apply through the webSLA in this situation.
For each product, the applicant is to include the NPN and Brand Name of the product as well as its manufacturer, packager and labeler.
To input product information, select the "Add a product" button. In the "Product information table" select "Modify" next to the corresponding product. On the "Product page", input all required information and select the "Continue" button to save the information and return to the site information table. To add a new product, select the "Add product" button. To remove a product, select the "Remove" button in the corresponding row.
Natural product Number or Homeopathic Medicine Number
Once Health Canada has assessed a product and decided it is safe, effective and of high quality, it issues a product licence along with an eight-digit NPN or DIN-HM, which must appear on the label. This number lets you know that the product has been reviewed and approved by Health Canada.
The NPN included will be verified against the Licenced Natural Health Product Database(LNHPD). The brand name associated to a NPN will be automatically pulled from the LNHPD. Should you find a discrepancy between the NPN and associated brand name as a result of a recent change, contact nnhpd-dpsnso@hc-sc.gc.ca for help in resolving the issue.
Product type
Enter the product type manually. This field is pre-populated with a list of possible product types.
Storage conditions
The storage conditions for the product are entered manually in a free form text field. The storage conditions should match those listed on the product label.
Sterile product
Select if the product is sterile.
Supply Chain
Choose, from the list of companies included as Canadian and foreign sites in previous sections, the manufacturer, packager and labeller of the product, as well as the site that performs finished product and stability testing for the product prior to its release on the Canadian market. Should the site conducting the relevant activities not be available in the selection list, select "Other" and write the company name. Please note this site should hold their own site licence for the performed activity or already be listed on your licence.
Summary
The Summary page displays the contents of each section of the web SLA form in one consolidated view. The summary can be viewed at any time during an active session by clicking on "Summary" in the top right hand corner of the form or by selecting "Summary" in the table of contents.
Completing the form: Once all sections of the form have been completed and all required information has been entered, click on "Continue to attestation" at the bottom of the summary page. Errors will appear if required information is missing. All errors must be resolved in order to complete the form and move to the attestation section. Clicking on “Continue to attestation” also triggers a validation service which will verify that the information provided in the form complies with application policies. If the information provided does not meet certain requirements, the service will return an error message that must be addressed before continuing to the attestation.
Attestation
Before finalizing the form, carefully review the summary and read the attestation at the bottom of the page. To sign the attestation, select the "I agree" checkbox. This will generate an attestation code which acts as your confirmation that you accept the terms of the attestation.
Note to Reviewer
Enter any relevant additional information for the review of your application in the “Note to Reviewer” field. This field should not be viewed as a replacement to the cover letter, but as a field used to provide additional information to help the processing of your application or to provide clarity on the documents provided.
Finalize
Once attestation is complete, the Finalize button will appear. Click on "Finalize" to lock the form, generate a unique tracking number and go to the finalized view.
Finalized form
The finalized form includes the tracking number. Once finalized, the file is ready to be saved to your local workstation. The saved .html file is then ready to be submitted to NNHPD as part of a complete site licence application package. Copies of all documentation listed in the "Documentation Checklist" should be included in the application package.
NOTE: Only use the "Save file" link provided in the form to download and save a copy of your web SLA form to file. Do not save using the browser's save function as this will only save the web page not the form.
Reloading a completed form
Selecting the “Load application form from the file” from the webSLA landing page allows loading of a form using 3 different options: Modify in response to an IRN, Keep information and start new and New application form. These options should be used in specific circumstances and will affect the way information is loaded into the form and the tracking number generated differently.
Modify in Response to an IRN
Select this option when responding to an Information Request Notice (IRN) or Clarimail from the NNHPD. This will unlock the entire form for editing without refreshing the tracking number. Do not use the "Modify in response to an IRN" button to edit a refused application for re-submission as a unique tracking number is required for these types of applications and not doing so may result in the rejection of the provided application.
Keep Information and Start New
Select this option if you wish to start a new submission using information contained in the loaded form from a previous submission of the same application type. This will unlock the entire form for editing and will refresh the tracking number upon completion. Do not use the “Keep Information and Start New” button to edit an active submission, to respond to a Clarimail or Information Request Notice, as the tracking number will be refreshed.
This option should solely be used when loading the same application type as the application being currently filled. In other words, completed renewal forms should only be used for new renewal applications, completed new applications for a new application and completed amendments for an amendment. Changing the application type of the form will reset the “Site Information” and “Product Information” sections.
Choosing this option also requires that every site and product in the “Site Information” and “Product Information” sections, respectively, be verified to confirm they are still valid and should be kept on the application. To do so, click on the checkmark associated to each site or product under the fields “Confirmation site is kept” and “Confirmation product is kept”.
Furthermore, sites to be removed from the application will be automatically marked as “To be deleted” when selecting the “Remove” option next to sites and products in the “Site Information” and “Product Information” sections respectively. Selecting “Remove” a second time will remove the site or product from their respective lists. This action should only be performed if the site or product have already been removed in a previous application and are not be relevant to the this new application.
For the renewals, every sites on your current site licence must be accounted for. To do so, you must add any sites that have been approved since the last renewal cycle. For any amendments pending approval, you must add them and indicate the submission # in the cover letter or note to reviewer.
New Application Form
Select this option if you wish to start a brand new application. This will generate a new tracking number for the form. This option works the same way as when selecting it from the landing page of the webSLA. Do note that this is the option to use for re-applications following a refusal or rejection.