Regulatory information for cosmetics

• Cosmetics Legislation
• Guidance Documents
• Related Resources

Cosmetics Legislation

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.

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), as well as "handmade" cosmetics sold at craft sales or home-based businesses.

The Cosmetic Regulations and the Food and Drugs Act require that cosmetics sold in Canada be manufactured, prepared, preserved, packed and stored under sanitary conditions. The manufacturer and importer must notify Health Canada that it is selling the product and provide a list of the product's ingredients.

Additionally, cosmetics are subject to the requirements of the  Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and  Regulations and any chemicals found in cosmetics may be subject to the  Canadian Environmental Protection Act.

Guidance Documents

• Determination of Flame Projection - Official Method D0-30
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)
• Guidance Document: Classification of Products at the Cosmetic-Drug Interface
• Guide to Completing Cosmetic Notification Forms
• Guide to Cosmetic Ingredient Labelling
• Guide to the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and Regulations
• Guidelines for Volatile Organic Compounds in Consumer Products
• Heavy Metals in Cosmetics
• Important Information to Stakeholders - Implementation of Advance Notice of Importation Process Pilot for Cosmetics and Drugs
• Labelling of Cosmetics
• Labelling Requirements for Cosmetics in Pressurized Containers
• Product Assessment Against Criteria: Antiperspirants
• Product Assessment Against Criteria: Diaper Rash Products

Related Resources

Other legislation and guidance that may apply to cosmetics and cosmetic ingredients:

• Food and Drugs Act Liaison Office
• Canadian Environmental Protection Act
• Denatured and Specially Denatured Alcohol Regulations (SOR 2005-22)
• Explosives Act
• The Competition Act
• Guidelines for the Nonprescription and Cosmetic Industry Regarding Non-therapeutic Advertising and Labelling Claims
• Self-care products
  How self-care products, including natural heath products, cosmetics and over-the-counter drugs, are regulated in Canada.