Competition Bureau Publishes Guidelines on "Product of Canada" and "Made in Canada" Claims for Non-food Products

OTTAWA, December 22, 2009 — The Competition Bureau today published its Enforcement Guidelines on "Product of Canada" and "Made in Canada" Claims.

These Guidelines, consistent with the Government’s commitment to improve truth in labelling for consumer products, describe the Bureau’s approach in assessing "Product of Canada" and "Made in Canada" claims for non-food products under the false or misleading representations provisions of the Competition Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and the Textile Labelling Act.

The Bureau held public consultations on a draft version of the Guidelines during the summer of 2009, and has taken into account comments received in preparing the final Guidelines.

This document will replace the previous Guide to "Made in Canada" Claims. To provide businesses with sufficient time to adapt to the Guidelines, the new Guidelines will take effect on July 1, 2010. During the interim period, the Bureau’s approach to enforcement will be based on the previous Guide to "Made in Canada" Claims.

The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency that contributes to the prosperity of Canadians by protecting and promoting competitive markets and enabling informed consumer choice.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Greg Scott
Senior Communications Advisor
Public Affairs Branch
819-953-4257

For general enquiries, please contact:
Information Centre
Competition Bureau
819-997-4282
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