Regulatory information for cosmetics

All cosmetics sold in Canada must be safe to use and must not pose any health risk. They must meet the requirements of the Food and Drugs Act and the Cosmetic Regulations.

Requirements under other legislation must also be met, if applicable. See related links below for more information.

On this page

• Cosmetics legislation
• Guidance documents
• Related links

Cosmetics legislation

Under the Food and Drugs Act, a cosmetic includes "any substance or mixture of substances, manufactured, sold or represented for use in cleansing, improving or altering the complexion, skin, hair or teeth and includes deodorants and perfumes." This includes:

• cosmetics used by professional esthetic services
• bulk institutional products such as hand soap in school rest rooms
• "handmade" cosmetics sold through home-based businesses or craft sales

The Cosmetic Regulations and the Food and Drugs Act require that cosmetics sold in Canada are manufactured, prepared, preserved, packed and stored under sanitary conditions. The manufacturer and importer must:

• provide a list of the product's ingredients
• notify Health Canada that they are selling the product

Requirements under other legislation, such as the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act (CPLA), the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) and the Cannabis Act, must also be met, if applicable. See related links below for more information.

Guidance documents

General

• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)
• Guidance Document: Classification of Products at the Cosmetic-Drug Interface
• Guide to Completing Cosmetic Notification Forms
• Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
• Heavy Metals in Cosmetics
• Advance notice of importation process for cosmetics and drugs
• Guidance document: Animal testing ban on cosmetics
• Guidance document: Evidence of safety requirements for tooth whitening products containing peroxide and peroxide-generating compounds

Labelling

• Industry Guide for the labelling of cosmetics
• Guide to the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and Regulations
• Labelling Requirements for Cosmetics in Pressurized Containers
• Guidelines for the non-prescription and cosmetic industry regarding non-therapeutic advertising and labelling claims

Test Method

• Determination of Flame Projection - Official Method D0-30

Related links

Some other legislation and guidance that may apply to cosmetics and cosmetic ingredients:

• Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act
  • Consumer Packaging and Labelling Regulations

• Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA)

  Pre-market obligations for industry to notify chemicals, polymers and living organisms, including those found in cosmetics:

  • New Substances program

  Risk management instruments under CEPA include, among others:

  • the Microbeads in Toiletries Regulations,
  • the Volatile Organic Compound Concentration Limits for Certain Products Regulations,
  • the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012 (for a number of substances including certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)),
  • the Prohibition of Asbestos and Products Containing Asbestos Regulations,
  • the Triclosan Pollution Prevention Planning Notice,
  • Ministerial conditions and prohibitions (also searchable on the Substances Search page)
  • Significant New Activity (SNAc) provisions.
  • Information Gathering Initiatives
• Cannabis Act and associated Regulations including:
  • Cannabis Exemption (Food and Drugs Act) Regulations
• Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and associated Regulations including:
  • Precursor Control Regulations
  • Narcotic Control Regulations
• Excise Act
  • Denatured and Specially Denatured Alcohol Regulations
• Explosives Act
• Competition Act

Other resources:

• Food and Drugs Act Liaison Office
• Self-care products

Questions regarding requirements under legislation other than the Food and Drugs Act and Cosmetic Regulations should be sent to the relevant program.