[Updated] Canada Requires Cosmetics to Be Labeled with Fragrance Allergens

Editor's note: This article was originally published on April 26, 2024, and was updated on October 11, 2024, as per the latest developments. The updated contents are marked in red below.

On February 11, 2023, the Government of Canada proposed amendments to the Cosmetic Regulations, which were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 157, Number 6. ¹ The finalized amendments were published on April 24, 2024, in the Canada Gazette, Part II, Volume 158, Number 9. ²

These amendments include requirements for cosmetics to be labeled with fragrance allergens, allowing the full ingredient list of cosmetics sold in small packages to be disclosed on websites, and modifying cosmetic supervision requirements.

On October 9, 2024, the amendments related to website disclosure of ingredient lists and modifications to cosmetic supervision requirements (the second and third part of the following article) took effect. The enhanced detail requirements for cosmetic notifications apply only to submissions made on or after October 9, 2024.

Additionally, the Industry Guide for Cosmetic Labeling, Industry Guide for Cosmetic Notification and the Cosmetic Notification Form have been updated to reflect these changes. The Cosmetic Notification form will require a Canadian address in section 4, with implementation scheduled for a later date, yet to be determined.

The requirement for disclosing fragrance allergens on cosmetic labels (the first part of the following article)  will come into effect on April 12, 2026.

The detailed amendments are as follows: