Consultation on proposed updates to the danger to human health or safety assessment for free-standing clothing storage units
Current status: Closed
This consultation was held between October 8, 2025 and November 7, 2025.
Health Canada added free-standing clothing storage units to Table 2 of the General Prohibitions process, with a proposal to update the performance criteria for these products in Table 3 of the General Prohibitions. Input was sought on whether these products may pose a danger to human health or safety if they do not meet critical health and safety criteria (read about additional details on this process).
Health Canada completed a danger to human health or safety assessment for free-standing clothing storage units. This assessment proposed that all free-standing clothing storage units meet certain critical safety criteria to help protect consumers from tip-over hazards that certain products may pose. This proposal did not constitute a ban on all free-standing clothing storage units. In fact, many free-standing clothing storage units currently on the market are compliant to these safety criteria and would continue to be available for purchase. Only products that do not meet these safety criteria would be impacted.
Health Canada invited stakeholders to provide comments on this danger to human health or safety assessment. Health Canada will take into consideration the information that was provided during the consultation period when making a determination on whether there is a danger to human health or safety posed by free-standing clothing storage units that do not meet the safety criteria.
Participation
We invited the public to provide comments or feedback on this danger to human health or safety assessment by November 7, 2025.
Privacy Notice Statement
The personal information you provide Health Canada will be collected by the Consumer and Hazardous Products Safety Directorate (CHPSD) under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act and handled in accordance with the Privacy Act.
Why are we collecting your personal information? Any personal information that you share, such as your name, contact information, opinions, preferred language and organization, will be collected by CHPSD, as part of a consultation addressing the dangers to human health or safety posted by free-standing clothing storage units.
Will we use or share your personal information for any other reason? Your personal information may be shared internally within the Government of Canada. Only de-identified information and general feedback may be shared with stakeholders through correspondence, or may be publicly posted on the Government of Canada's website. In some cases, information may be disclosed without your consent for purposes not outlined in this Statement pursuant to subsection 8(2) of the Privacy Act.
What happens if you don't want to provide your personal information? Participation in Health Canada's consultation regarding free-standing clothing storage units is voluntary, as is the personal information you choose to provide to the Government of Canada. There are no consequences if you decide not to participate or share your personal information.
What are your rights? You have the right to access and request a correction and/or notation to your personal information. You also have a right to complain to the Privacy Commissioner of Canada if you feel your personal information has been handled improperly. For more information about these rights, or about how we handle your personal information, please contact the Consumer and Hazardous Products Safety Directorate at ccpsa-lcspc@hc-sc.gc.ca.
For more information: The collection of your personal information is described in Info Source. Refer to the personal information bank entitled PSU 938 – Outreach Activities.
Who is the focus of this consultation
- members of the public
- consumer and non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- health promotion and injury prevention organizations
- stakeholders in the household products industry
- care and nursing home organizations
- other interested parties
Goals of the consultation
The goal of the consultation was to seek input on whether free-standing clothing storage units may pose a danger to human health or safety if they do not meet critical health and safety criteria. Health Canada will take into consideration all of the current information that was made available to help us with the next steps. Health Canada may conclude the hazard of concern is a danger to human health or safety and update the existing performance criteria on Table 3 of the General Prohibitions process. In doing so, free-standing clothing storage units that do not meet the recommended safety criteria would be prohibited from manufacture, import, advertising or sale in Canada. If there is insufficient information to conclude that there is a danger to human health or safety, the assessment documents will remain in the Closed for Comment section of Table 2 and it will be labelled as not currently being considered for an update to Table 3. Health Canada will continue monitoring the hazard.
Related information
- The Canada Consumer Product Safety Act
- Information on Health Canada's approach to the General Prohibitions under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act - Canada.ca
- Industry Guidance - "Danger to Human Health or Safety" Posed by Consumer Products - Canada.ca
Contact us
Consumer Product Safety Program
Email: ccpsa-lcspc@hc-sc.gc.ca