Canada Proposes Regulatory Actions for 14 Terpene and Terpenoid Substances

On January 25, 2025, the Canadian government published Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 159, Number 4: Government Notices, which includes a draft assessment of the substances in the 14 Terpene and Terpenoid Substances Group. ¹ These substances are commonly found in a range of products, such as cosmetics, cleaning products, air fresheners, and natural health products (NHPs).

Proposed Conclusions

It is proposed to conclude that:

1. Substances requiring further action: Cade oil, jonquil oil, Verbena officinalis extract, Ginkgo biloba extract, myrrh oil, cork tree extract, sage oil, wormwood oil, IBCH, sandal cyclohexanol, BCH, and sandela meet one or more of the criteria set out in section 64 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA).

The Minister of the Environment and the Minister of Health propose to add these substances to Part 2 of Schedule 1 of the CEPA. While this listing does not automatically restrict their use, manufacture, or import, it allows the government to take enforceable risk management actions under CEPA.

2. Substances requiring no further action: Norlimbanol and amberlyn do not meet any of the criteria in section 64 of CEPA, and the ministers propose no further action on these substances at this time.

Proposed Preventive Actions

The government is considering actions to address human health risks associated with these substances. ² The following are actions against cosmetics, NHPs and non-prescription drugs (NPDs):

• For cosmetics: The government proposes listing cade oil, Verbena officinalis extract, Ginkgo biloba extract, myrrh oil, cork tree extract, sage oil, IBCH, sandal cyclohexanol, BCH, and sandela on Health Canada’s Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist as either prohibited or restricted ingredients. This would help reduce dermal, inhalation, and/or oral exposure to these substances from certain cosmetics.

• For NHPs and NPDs: Verbena officinalis extract, Ginkgo biloba extract, myrrh oil, cork tree extract, sage oil, and wormwood oil may be listed as restricted ingredients in Health Canada’s Natural Health Products Ingredients Database (NHPID). This would help reduce dermal, inhalation, and/or oral exposure from certain topical NHPs and NPDs.

Anyone can submit written comments on the proposed measures by sending them to [email protected] or through Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Single Window before March 26, 2025.

Further Reading

• Canada Issues Significant New Activity Notice for Trisiloxane in Cosmetics

• Canada to Update Cosmetic Notification Form

• Canada Requires Cosmetics to Be Labeled with Fragrance Allergens