Mandatory Ingredient Labelling for Cosmetics in Canada

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Information Pamphlet for Industry

Facts:

• By November 16, 2006, all cosmetics and personal care products sold in Canada must contain the list of ingredients on the label.
• This change is reflected in amendments to the Cosmetic Regulations under the Food and Drugs Act.
• Cosmetic businesses must use the International Nomenclature for Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) system as found in the most current edition of the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook.
• The INCI system provides for uniform and consistent information to be delivered to both health professionals and the public in many countries regardless of language. It is multi-national, technical text that is based on the Latin language.
• Mandatory ingredient labelling applies to all cosmetics, including samples. However, products regulated as food, drugs or natural health products are excluded from these ingredient labelling requirements.

Benefits:

• Ingredient labelling will allow the Canadian public to avoid cosmetic products containing ingredients to which they may have sensitivities.
• If a reaction should occur, health professionals will have ready access to the names of ingredients in the product allowing them to provide effective medical care.
• The INCI system simplifies ingredient labelling by providing one name for each ingredient, which may otherwise have had many trade names or chemical descriptions.
• Industry will benefit from having ingredient labels harmonized internationally.

How INCI Works

• All ingredients must be listed on the outer label using only the INCI name.
• Ingredients must be listed in descending order of predominance (from most to least). Ingredients with a weight of 1% or less can be listed in any order at the end of the list.
  
  

  Sample Label: Candelilla Cera1 , Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Cire De Carnauba2 , Ruta Graveolens3 , Cucumis Melo (Melon) Fruit Extract3 , Ozokerite, Paraffin, Cera Alba, Lanolin Oil, Octyldodecanol, BHT, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Parfum4 , Aroma5 , +/-6 CI 774916 , Red 66 , CI 774926 , Red 76 , CI 774806

  
  
• Some ingredients have special names that are listed in the schedule at the end of the Cosmetic Regulations. These ingredients may be listed using either the single term in column 1 (1) or the combination of terms in columns 2 and 3 (2).
• Botanicals may be listed using either only the genus and species part of the INCI name or the complete INCI name. For example (3): Ruta Graveolens OR Ruta Graveolens (Rue) Extract
• The presence of fragrance ingredients may be listed using the term “parfum” at the end of the list of ingredients (4). The presence of flavour ingredients may be listed using the term “aroma” at the end of the list of ingredients (5).
• For make-up products sold in a range of colour shades, all colouring agents used in the range may be listed if they are preceded by the symbols “+/-“ or “±”, or the phrase “may contain/peut contenir” (6).
• Small or ornamental products may list the ingredients on a tag, tape or card that is attached to the container. If that is not possible due to size, shape or texture, the list of ingredients may appear in a leaflet that accompanies the cosmetic at the point of sale.

For more information, visit our website: www.healthcanada.gc.ca/cosmetics or contact us:

Cosmetics Division
Consumer Product Safety Bureau
Health Canada
123 Slater Street, A.L. 3504D
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0K9
Email: cosmetics@hc-sc.gc.ca
Fax: (613) 952-3039
Phone: (613) 946-6452