ChemLinked Cosmetic Ingredient Search

How does Canada regulate cosmetic ingredients?

Health Canada maintains an extensive Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist that outlines specific requirements for cosmetic products regarding ingredient usage, maximum concentration limits, and necessary warnings. However, it's important to note that the Hotlist primarily focuses on intentionally used ingredients and does not encompass common impurities or contaminants present at trace levels in finished products.

The Hotlist comprises two distinct tables:

1. List of Ingredients that are Prohibited for Use in Cosmetic Products

These ingredients, along with their synonyms, salts and related compounds, are strictly prohibited from use in cosmetic products sold in Canada.

2. List of Ingredients that are Restricted for Use in Cosmetic Products

These ingredients are permitted under specific conditions or with the inclusion of cautionary statements.

In addition to the Hotlist, there is a cross-sectoral regulation, Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations. The Regulations prohibits the manufacture, use, sale, offer for sale and import of certain toxic substances, as well as products (including cosmetics) containing them.

How does Canada update its Hotlist?

The Hotlist undergoes regular review and revisions through the review of the following items:

1. Identification of Ingredients for Review

1) New scientific information

2) New regulatory decisions (domestic and international)

3) Consumer complaints/injuries

4) Media

5) Industry request

6) Other concerns

2. Outcome of Review

1) Addition of the ingredient to Hotlist as Prohibited

2) Addition of the ingredient to Hotlist as Restricted

3) Revision of existing entry on Hotlist

4) No concern with current use in cosmetics

Are there any other important considerations companies should be aware of when referencing the Hotlist?

Health Canada reserves the right to take actions at any time to enforce the Food and Drugs Act (FDA) and the Cosmetic Regulations (CR), regardless of whether an ingredient is included on the Hotlist.

If the safety of an ingredient raises concerns, such as new scientific data, new regulatory decisions (domestic or international), consumers’ adverse reactions, Health Canada may evaluate and take appropriate action on the product. Therefore, it is recommended that enterprises continue to pay attention to scientific data on Ergothioneine, such as domestic and international scientific literature, post-market data of products containing this ingredient, etc.

Does Canada have other regulations related to the use of ingredients in cosmetics?

In addition to the Hotlist and Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, the Canadian government has issued other regulations restricting the use of certain ingredients in general products, including cosmetics. These cover substances such as asbestos, microbeads, certain drugs, and volatile organic compounds. For details, please refer to Section 3.2 of the Canadian Pedia.

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