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Regulatory information for cosmetics

All cosmetics sold in Canada must be safe to use and must not pose any health risk. They must meet the requirements of the

Food and Drugs Act

and the

Cosmetic Regulations

.

Requirements under

other legislation

must also be met, if applicable. See related links below for more information.

On this page

Cosmetics legislation

Guidance documents

Related links

Cosmetics legislation

Under the

Food and Drugs Act

, a cosmetic includes "any substance or mixture of substances, manufactured, sold or represented for use in cleansing, improving or altering the complexion, skin, hair or teeth and includes deodorants and perfumes." This includes:

cosmetics used by professional esthetic services

bulk institutional products such as hand soap in school rest rooms

"handmade" cosmetics sold through home-based businesses or craft sales

The

Cosmetic Regulations

and the

Food and Drugs Act

require that cosmetics sold in Canada are manufactured, prepared, preserved, packed and stored under sanitary conditions. The manufacturer and importer must:

provide a list of the product's ingredients

notify Health Canada that they are selling the product

Requirements under

other legislation

, such as the

Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act

(CPLA)

, the

Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999

(CEPA) and the

Cannabis Act

, must also be met, if applicable. See related links below for more information.

Guidance documents

General

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)

Guidance Document: Classification of Products at the Cosmetic-Drug Interface

Guide to Completing Cosmetic Notification Forms

Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist

Heavy Metals in Cosmetics

Advance notice of importation process for cosmetics and drugs

Guidance document: Animal testing ban on cosmetics

Guidance document: Evidence of safety requirements for tooth whitening products containing peroxide and peroxide-generating compounds

Labelling

Industry Guide for the labelling of cosmetics

Guide to the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and Regulations

Labelling Requirements for Cosmetics in Pressurized Containers

Guidelines for the non-prescription and cosmetic industry regarding non-therapeutic advertising and labelling claims

Test Method

Determination of Flame Projection - Official Method D0-30

Related links

Some other legislation and guidance that may apply to cosmetics and cosmetic ingredients:

Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act

Consumer Packaging and Labelling Regulations

Canadian Environmental Protection Act

, 1999

(CEPA)

Pre-market obligations for industry to notify chemicals, polymers and living organisms, including those found in cosmetics:

New Substances program

Risk management instruments under CEPA

include, among others:

the

Microbeads in Toiletries Regulations

,

the

Volatile Organic Compound Concentration Limits for Certain Products Regulations

,

the

Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012

(for a number of substances including certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)),

the

Prohibition of Asbestos and Products Containing Asbestos Regulations

,

the

Triclosan Pollution Prevention Planning Notice

,

Ministerial conditions and prohibitions

(also searchable on the

Substances Search

page)

Significant New Activity (SNAc) provisions

.

Information Gathering Initiatives

Cannabis Act

and associated Regulations including:

Cannabis Exemption (Food and Drugs Act) Regulations

Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

and associated Regulations including:

Precursor Control Regulations

Narcotic Control Regulations

Excise Act

Denatured and Specially Denatured Alcohol Regulations

Explosives Act

Competition Act

Other resources:

Food and Drugs Act Liaison Office

Self-care products

Questions regarding requirements under legislation other than the

Food and Drugs Act

and

Cosmetic Regulations

should be sent to the relevant program.

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