Cosmetic Ingredient Labelling

COSMETIC INDUSTRY SUPPORTS INGREDIENT LABELLING IN CANADA

On December 1, 2004, Health Canada published an amendment to the Cosmetic Regulations in Canada Gazette Part II, requiring full ingredient disclosure on all cosmetics sold in Canada. After a 24-month compliance period, INCI labelling came into effect at the manufacturing level on November 16, 2006. Health Canada provided retailers with an additional one year period to deplete their existing inventory. This one year sell-through period ended on November 16, 2007. Therefore, consumers will be able to see a complete list of ingredients on the packaging of all cosmetic products currently sold in Canada.

The Canadian Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CCTFA) supports mandatory ingredient labelling for cosmetics using the INCI (International Nomenclature for Cosmetic Ingredients) nomenclature system. In an effort to meet the growing demand for ingredient information from both consumers and health care professionals, many companies had already voluntarily implemented ingredient labelling using
the INCI nomenclature system.

The highest priority of the cosmetics industry is to ensure the health and safety of consumers through the marketing of products that are safe and effective. In Canada, cosmetics are regulated by the Product Safety Program of Health Canada, under the Cosmetic Regulations of the Food and Drugs Act. Cosmetics include products such as soaps, shampoos, hair styling products, colour cosmetics, perfumes, bath and body care products, deodorants, nail products and many other personal care products that are used by Canadians every day. However, personal care products that are regulated as drugs or natural health products are not affected by the new requirements.

CCTFA is confident that the new labelling requirements, coupled with the requirement to notify cosmetic formulations with Health Canada, will assist consumers and health professionals to address any health aspects related to the use of cosmetics.

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