How to Ensure Cannabis Packaging Meets CR and TE Standards

Introduction

Child resistant packaging is mandatory in Canada. Without proper CR and tamper-evident (TE) packaging, producers face penalties, recalls, and safety risks. Here’s how to make sure your cannabis packaging complies with Health Canada’s rules.

Know the Canadian rules

Under the Cannabis Act, immediate containers must be child-resistant and have a visible tamper-evident seal. Most cannabis products also require opaque or translucent packaging. Edibles are capped at 10 mg THC per package, while extracts and topicals are limited to 1,000 mg THC per package.

Choose certified CR closures

Use push-and-turn caps, locking lids, or other CR mechanisms that meet testing standards under the Food and Drugs Regulations. They must be hard for children to open but usable for adults.

Add clear TE features

A consumer must be able to see if the package has been opened. Shrink bands, induction seals, and tear bands are all acceptable under Health Canada’s requirements.

Use safe, compliant materials

All containers and wrappers for edibles or ingestible extracts must be food-grade, clean, and non-toxic. Packaging must also follow Canada’s plain packaging rules: uniform colour, no foil, embossing, or special effects.

Keep records and labeling accurate

Health Canada requires labels to include:

• Standardized cannabis symbol (if THC > 10 µg/g)

• Health warning messages

• THC/CBD content

• Lot number and packaging date

• “KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN / TENIR HORS DE LA PORTÉE DES ENFANTS”

Conclusion

Child resistant packaging and tamper-evident seals are essential for compliance in Canada. By following Health Canada’s rules, choosing tested mechanisms, and keeping labels accurate, producers can avoid costly mistakes. MedLock provides CR and TE packaging designed to keep Canadian producers compliant and confident. Visit our website www.med-lock.com to find out more