In order to sell cosmetics in Canada, you must be careful not to include certain ingredients in your products. Health Canada has clearly regulated the ingredients that cannot be used and the ingredients that are restricted for use through the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist for the safety of consumers. This Hotlist is a regulatory document that cosmetics manufacturers and importers must refer to, and failure to follow it can result in the product being banned from sale. So, what are the ingredients that cannot be used in cosmetics in Canada?
What are the banned ingredients in cosmetics in Canada?
First, Prohibited Ingredients are literally ingredients that cannot be included in a product at any concentration. For example, carcinogenic substances such as formaldehyde can be harmful to the human body in any amount, so they must be completely excluded from cosmetics. In addition, strongly irritating ingredients such as picolinic acid and toxic substances such as chloroform are also included in the prohibited list. These prohibited ingredients can cause serious side effects just by being included in cosmetics, so their use is strictly restricted in Canada.
Restricted Ingredients must be maintained at safe concentrations!
In addition to prohibited ingredients, there are also restricted ingredients that can only be used under certain conditions. Restricted ingredients cannot be used in excess of a specified concentration, and must be notified to consumers through caution statements or warning labels. For example, benzethonium chloride is a powerful disinfectant, but its use concentration is limited because it can irritate the skin or mucous membranes. It can only be used in cleaning products at 0.3% or less, and in leave-on products at 0.2% or less. These restricted ingredient regulations are essential measures to protect consumer safety.
How are hotlist regulations applied?
The Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist is not just a reference list. Health Canada regularly updates the Hotlist based on new scientific data, new research findings, or changes in international regulations. This is done to minimize the impact on consumer safety. If a product contains a Hotlist ingredient or exceeds the regulatory requirements, Health Canada may request additional safety data from the manufacturer or require a change in the product.
In addition, all cosmetic ingredients are labeled with the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI), and the labeling helps consumers easily identify ingredients that may be harmful to them. In particular, allergenic ingredients require accurate labeling, which is similar to the regulations of the European Union (EU). All cosmetics sold in Canada must comply with these ingredient labeling regulations.
Hotlist Compliance: Mandatory Responsibilities for Manufacturers and Importers
Manufacturers and importers who wish to sell cosmetics in Canada have a legal responsibility to strictly adhere to the regulations of the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist. Health Canada may request manufacturers to provide information on ingredient concentration, intended use, and safety data for products containing ingredients of questionable safety. If these regulations are not followed or safety cannot be proven, the product may be banned from sale.
Ultimately, the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist is a regulatory tool that prioritizes consumer safety and serves as a standard for ensuring quality and safety in the Canadian cosmetics market. It is important for manufacturers and importers who wish to enter the Canadian cosmetics market to be familiar with this list and carefully review the composition of the ingredients in their products.
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