Compliance Verification Project 2024-2025: Cosmetic Regulations (heavy metals)
Consumer Product Enforcement Summary Report
Fiscal Year 2024-2025
Summary
The Consumer Product Safety Program (CPSP) administers and enforces the Food and Drugs Act and Cosmetic Regulations.
The purpose of this Compliance Verification (CV) project was to verify industry's compliance of cosmetics with the impurity limits outlined in the Guidance on Heavy Metal Impurities in Cosmetics in addition to section 16 of the Food and Drugs Act, and other specific requirements of the Cosmetic Regulations.
For this project, the CPSP carried out a market survey to determine the presence of establishments selling, importing, or manufacturing cosmetics in Canada. Compliance of select cosmetics (from that survey) was determined through an evaluation process where Health Canada inspectors visited establishments both online and in-person and sampled relevant products. Compliance with the requirements listed under the Guidance, Act, and Regulations was verified through testing products at the Product Safety Laboratory.
Over the course of the 2024-2025 fiscal year, chemical testing of 30 different cosmetics was carried out, where 20 out of the 30 samples were imported products. The testing resulted in 1 recall, 1 stop sale, and 10 commitments to address non-compliance. There were 18 instances where no corrective action was required.
Results
Readers should consult the individual recall and safety notices, if applicable, for more details.
| Brand | Product Name | Source of Sample | Country of Origin | Determination | Corrective Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aleppo Savon | Ultra Moisturizing Day Cream – Face | Aleppo Savon | Canada | Did not meet labelling and notification requirements | Commitment by Shea Butter Market |
| Amaterasu | Silk Goddess Mascara Black | Arivial Management Ltd | Japan | No compliance issues detected | None |
| Bernard Cassiere | Yuzu Perfect Glow Care | Attitude Beauté Inc. | France | No compliance issues detected | None |
| Caryl Baker | Caryl Baker Eyeshadow Palette - Sweet Dreams | Caryl Baker Visage | Canada | No compliance issues detected | None |
| Claire's | Eyeshadow Palette (4 colors) | Claire's | China | No compliance issues detected | None |
| Claire's | GLOSSY Lip Gloss | Claire's | China | No compliance issues detected | None |
| Couleur Caramel | Eye and/or Lip Pencil | Summum Beauté International | France | No compliance issues detected | None |
| Dans un jardin | Lip Gloss - Princesse Jujube | Dans un jardin | Canada | No compliance issues detected | None |
| Djeco | Face Paint | Îlot 307 Inc. | Taiwan | No compliance issues detected | None |
| Dollarama | Halloween Make Up Crayons 10pk | Dollarama | China | No compliance issues detected | None |
| Hydra-Essentiel [HA²] | Moisturizes and quenches, rich cream | Clarins Canada Inc. | France | No compliance issues detected | None |
| Inuwet | Coconut Water Gel Vegan Face Mask | Blush Distribution | Republic of Korea | Did not meet labelling requirements | Commitment by Blush Distribution |
| Jaydancin | rC3 Facial Serum | Jaydancin | Canada | Did not meet labelling requirements | Commitment by Jaydancin |
| Kate Tokyo | Lip Monster Souffle Matte 02 (Cherry Blossom) | Tokyo Beauty and Healthcare | Japan | Did not meet notification requirements | Commitment by Kanajo Trading Ltd. |
| Marcelle | Flawless -Classic Ivory | Jean Coutu | Canada | Did not meet labelling requirements | Commitment by Groupe Marcelle |
| Nova Scotia Fisherman | Extreme Face Moisture | Lawtons | Canada | No compliance issues detected | None |
| Peripera | Ink Velvet Lip Tint | TheKShop | Republic of Korea | Did not meet labelling requirements | Commitment by The KShop |
| Pinnacle Cosmetics | 5 Well Eyeshadow (Plum Crazy) | Pinnacle Cosmetics | Canada | Did not meet labelling and notification requirements | Commitment by Pinnacle Cosmetics |
| Radford Beauty | Eye - The Bright Cream | Radford Beauty Ltd. | Republic of Korea | No compliance issues detected | None |
| Revlon | Revlon Super Lustrous The Luscious Mattes Lipstick | Revlon Canada Inc. | United States of America | No compliance issues detected | None |
| rom&nd | Juicy Lasting Tint (12 Cherry Bomb) | Oomomo Canada Ltd. | Republic of Korea | No compliance issues detected | None |
| Skin Potion Naturals | Natural Face Cream | Skin Potion Naturals | Canada | No compliance issues detected | None |
| Snazaroo | Face Paint for Halloween | Michaels | United Kingdom | Did not meet notification requirements | Commitment by Michaels |
| Sothys | Rouge intense Sothys | Somak Distribution | France | No compliance issues detected | None |
| The Soap Company of Nova Scotia | Face & Body Cream – Unscented | Sobeys | Canada | No compliance issues detected | None |
| Three Ships | Radiance Grape Stem Cell + Squalane Day Cream | Three Ships | Canada | Did not meet notification requirements | Commitment by Three Ships |
| Tony Moly | The Shocking Spin-off Palette (04 Pop Mauve) | Tony Moly Canada | Republic of Korea | Did not meet labelling requirements | Stop sale by Tony Moly Canada |
| Tulip Body Art | Rainbow Body Paint Kit | Michaels | China | Did not meet notification requirements | Commitment by Michaels |
| WENJLYJ | 3-Color Face & Body Paint | Amazon.ca | China | Did not meet the lead impurity limits | Voluntary recall by Wenjin |
| White Lucent | Brightening Gel Cream | Shiseido (Canada) Inc. | United States of America | No compliance issues detected | None |
Disclaimer: Inspectors apply a systematic bias during the selection of establishments and samples. Inspectors do not select products randomly; instead, they select the ones that are more likely not to meet health and safety requirements. Due to this biased nature of sampling and the fact that sample sizes within CV projects are very small, Health Canada does not consider the findings of CV projects to reflect overall market compliance, unless otherwise stated. Note that these summary reports relate only to the product(s) actually tested and the specific criteria measured in this project. Testing by Health Canada does not represent approval or endorsement of the product(s).