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Mandatory Labeling of Cosmetics in Canada
As of November 16, 2006, Health Canada’s updated cosmeticsregulations requires all cosmetics sold in Canada to be labelled with a list of ingredients in descending order of content, similar to food ingredient labels. Though many cosmetics already carry the updated labels, stores will be allowed 1 year to sell off improperly labelled older stocks, until November 16, 2007. During this time consumers can request a list of ingredients from manufacturers.Under Canadian regulations, a cosmetic is defined as a product which cleanses, improves or alters the complexion, skin, hair or teeth.The Canadian Cancer Society supports Canadians “Right to Know” what ingredients are in the products they use. They believe that mandatory labelling of cosmetics is a good first step, though they also believe that an accurate list of ingredients allowed for use in cosmetics should be made publicly available. As well, cosmetics containing known cancer-causing substances should be clearly labelled with a warning.The ingredient naming systemIngredients in cosmetics will be listed by their INCI name. INCI stands for International Nomenclature for Cosmetics Ingredients, and is an internationally recognized naming system developed by the American Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association. There are more than 12,000 different substances with INCI names used in cosmetics worldwide and a single INCI name may represent a substance with multiple alternate names.Canadian cosmetics safetyManufacturers and suppliers of cosmetics sold in
Canada are responsible for ensuring their products are safe and comply with Canadian regulations. They must also submit a Cosmetic Notification Form to Health Canada. This is not considered a product evaluation or agreement of compliance. However, Health Canada can use these notifications to identify products not in compliance, or that are no longer in compliance following a change in regulations.Health Canada publishes a hotlist of substances banned or restricted in Canadian cosmetics. Substances on the hotlist have been reviewed by Health Canada, though not all substances used in cosmetics have been reviewed by Health Canada. There is no complete list of permitted ingredients for Canadian cosmetics.Some substances on the hotlist are banned outright or, are allowed only if they are below certain levels, for example, alpha-hydroxy acids.Health Canada advises individuals with allergies or sensitivities to certain substances to ask their health care professional to identify its INCI name so that they may avoid cosmetics containing those substances.Certain cosmetics must be labelled with avoidable hazards and cautions if they contain particular ingredients, for example mercury, or if they are in pressurized metal containers. Though this regulation states that cosmetics with avoidable hazards must be labelled with caution and directions for safe use, it does not specifically address cancer-causing or otherwise toxic substances.Cosmetics regulations in other jurisdictionsIngredients in cosmetics sold in other countries may differ from those sold within Canada, even for the same brand and product. The definition of a cosmetic and the list of restricted and banned ingredients may differ from Canada and U.S. regulations. Cosmetic companies must label their products under the fair packaging and labelling act. If they choose, they may register their products in the U.S. through the Food and Drug Administration’s Voluntary Cosmetic Registration Program. With a few exceptions, INCI names are used.Many cosmetic ingredients in U.S. products are reviewed by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel. However, many ingredients have not been reviewed similar to the situation in Canada.The Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel is funded by the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association and is supported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Though the FDA has banned a handful of substances from cosmetics altogether, there is no required warning label for cosmetics containing either known or potentially cancer-causing substances.In California, under Proposition 65, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, the state publishes a list of chemicals that are known to the state to cause cancer or to disrupt normal reproductive functions. Companies are required to provide warning labels on their products if the product contains any of the chemicals on the list. Cosmetics in the European Union (E.U.) are highly regulated. Ingredients must be listed by their INCI names, and many have been reviewed by the E.U.’s Scientific Committee of Consumer Products. Cosmetics manufacturers are required to provide safety information on all their ingredients upon request. Substances known to cause cancer or suspected of causing cancer are not allowed in European cosmetics.Article provided by Canadian Cancer Society, April 26, 2007.
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