Consumer Product Safety Program Annual Surveillance Report: 2018
On this page:
- Executive Summary
- Consumer products
- Cosmetics
- Conclusion
- How to report an incident involving a consumer product or cosmetic
- Contact us
Executive summary
This report describes the surveillance findings gathered by the Consumer Product Safety Program (CPSP) within Health Canada. The CPSP is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) and its regulations, as well as cosmetic-related provisions of the Food and Drugs Act (FDA) and the Cosmetic Regulations. The purpose of the CCPSA is to protect the public by addressing or preventing dangers to human health or safety that are posed by consumer products in Canada, including those that circulate within Canada as well as those that are imported.
Within Health Canada, the CPSP promotes, monitors, verifies, and enforces compliance with the CCPSA and the FDA. It reviews reports submitted by industry and consumers and regularly monitors the marketplace to identify potentially dangerous products. The CPSP also gathers information domestically and internationally about injuries, emerging issues and new science related to consumer product and cosmetic safety. This information is then used to help conduct routine sampling and testing of products in the marketplace and support partnerships with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and other domestic and international regulators to verify the compliance of products being imported into Canada.
The CPSP also uses this information to evaluate risks to Canadians posed by consumer products and cosmetics. For example, it conducts assessments to identify issues that are a risk. This allows the strategic assignment of program resources towards products that pose the greatest risk to Canadians. When reviewing incoming incident and injury reports, the CPSP uses a triage-based approach to identify product-related health and safety issues for follow-up risk assessment and possible compliance and enforcement activity. It carefully monitors issues that do not require immediate attention so that it is prepared to take action if the risk changes over time. Finally, the CPSP provides credible information to consumers and provides tools to help guide informed decision-making by the public.
This is the second publicly available Annual Surveillance Report. This report presents a summary of all incident data reported to the CPSP between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018 that meet the definitions of a consumer product or cosmetic set out in legislation administered by Health Canada:
- A consumer product is a product, including its components, parts or accessories, that may reasonably be expected to be obtained by an individual to be used for non-commercial purposes, including for domestic, recreational and sports purposes, and includes its packaging; and
- 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 Annual Surveillance Report includes all incident reports for products that are sold within the Canadian marketplace, regardless of whether or not the incidents and injuries described in those reports happened domestically (70%) or internationally (30%)Footnote 1.
The data has been divided by incidentsFootnote 2 pertaining to consumer products, regulated under the CCPSA and its regulations, and cosmetics, which are regulated under the FDA and the Cosmetic Regulations. Under the CCPSA, industry must report health or safety incidents involving consumer products to Health Canada. This mandatory reporting provides Health Canada with a broad understanding of health- or safety-related incidents that occur with consumer products. There are no mandatory incident reporting requirements for cosmetics under the FDA or the Cosmetic Regulations. Finally, each subdivided section provides a table to illustrate the top 10 products reported overall as well as those associated with incident reports of injuries and deaths, with information concerning the hazards and injuries mentioned in the incident report for those products.
The categorization of consumer products was carried out using the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) coding manual. The categorization of cosmetic products was based on the function of the product using CPSP’s Notification of Cosmetics guidelines.
The information provided in this Annual Surveillance Report reflects information as it was described in the incident reports submitted to the CPSP by industry and consumers (including governmental organizations, fire services, police, coroners, etc.) and does not capture all incidents in Canada. Reports submitted to the CPSP express opinions or observations of the individuals who wrote them. They might not always identify a health or safety concern with a particular consumer product or cosmetic or include a thorough description of the incident. CPSP acknowledges that a given event may be due to an underlying condition, product misuse or coincidental factors. The CPSP takes a risk-based approach and does not validate the claims of every report received. Information reported to the CPSP may concern incidents that occurred outside of Canada.
The CPSP receives reports on an ongoing basis thus the statistics in this Annual Surveillance Report should be considered dynamic and subject to change.
Consumer products
Total reports received in 2018 from consumers and industry
2,355 consumer product reports were received between and , of which 22 mentioned a death and 917 mentioned a non-fatal injury
Figure 1 - Text description
Month and Year Report Received |
Number of Incident Reports Received | ||
---|---|---|---|
Incident - Consumer | Incident - Industry | Grand Total | |
Jan | 103 | 104 | 207 |
Feb | 74 | 98 | 172 |
Mar | 78 | 116 | 194 |
Apr | 73 | 105 | 178 |
May | 118 | 135 | 253 |
Jun | 55 | 126 | 181 |
Jul | 53 | 96 | 149 |
Aug | 85 | 120 | 205 |
Sep | 61 | 94 | 155 |
Oct | 74 | 169 | 243 |
Nov | 72 | 141 | 213 |
Dec | 57 | 148 | 205 |
Grand Total | 903 | 1452 | 2355 |
The number of reports received from month to month varies, and can be impacted by seasonal use and media attention. Some of the products that contributed to the increases in reports received in 2018 are highlighted below.
May 2018 saw 40% more reports received than April 2018 due to incidents regarding stroller products.
August 2018 saw 33% more reports received than July 2018 due to an increase in the number of reports received pertaining to laundry soaps or detergents, rotary power-lawn mowers, and rust preventatives.
October 2018 saw 54% more reports received than September 2018 due to an increase in the number of incidents reported pertaining to electric heaters, pacifiers or teething rings, and trampolines.
There was also an 11% increase in the number of reports received in January 2018 compared to December 2017. There were a higher number of thermostats, and fire or smoke alarms incident reports received.
See the embedded hyperlinks for more details on those product categories.
Top 10 consumer products reported
All of the injuries reported are grouped into different levels of severity (unknown, minor, or life threatening for example). These levels correspond to the overall risk that was reported and relies on factors such as: whether medical treatment was sought, whether the injury was described as being sustained by a vulnerable population, and whether that injury was reversible.
Totals may not equal 100% due to rounding.
Toys
Number of reports received in 2018
From consumers: 50
From industry: 107
Total: 157
The following information is presented in a slightly different format than other products, in order to accurately and easily communicate the large variety of toys available in the Canadian market, which include:
- dolls, plush toys, and action figures;
- baby rattles;
- blocks, stacking toys or pull toys;
- building sets;
- moulding compounds;
- non-riding toy vehicles;
- pretend electronics, tools, housewares and appliances; and
- squeeze or squeaker toys.
The top hazards reported included:
- 34% (54 of 157) small part,
- 20% (31 of 157) toxicological, and
- 16% (25 of 157) sharp edge or point.
62% (97 of 157) of the reports did not mention an injury.
The remaining 38% (60 of 157) of the reports mentioned injuries, of which:
- 45% (27 of 60) were minor,
- 37% (22 of 60) were moderate,
- 8% (5 of 60) did not have sufficient detail and were classified as unknown,
- 7% (4 of 60) were severe, and
- 3% (2 of 60) were life threatening or disabling.
The most common injuries reported were cuts, bruises and asphyxia.
Telephones or accessories
Number of reports received in 2018
From consumers: 17
From industry: 136
Total: 153
The top hazards reported included:
- 40% (61 of 153) excessive heat,
- 22% (34 of 153) fire, and
- 16% (24 of 153) smoke.
77% (118 of 153) of the reports did not mention an injury.
The remaining 23% (35 of 153) of the reports mentioned injuries, of which:
- 77% (27 of 35) were minor,
- 11% (4 of 35) were moderate,
- 9% (3 of 35) did not have sufficient detail and were classified as unknown, and
- 3% (1 of 35) were severe.
The most common injuries reported were burns, cuts and electric shocks.
Diapers
Number of reports received in 2018
From consumers: 4
From industry: 107
Total: 111
The top hazards reported included:
- 99% (110 of 111) toxicologicalFootnote *, and
- 1% (1 of 111) small part.
2% (2 of 111) of the reports did not mention an injury.
The remaining 98% (109 of 111) of the reports mentioned injuries, of which:
- 51% (56 of 109) were severe,
- 45% (49 of 109) were moderate,
- 2% (2 of 109) was minor,
- 1% (1 of 109) was life threatening or disabling, and
- 1% (1 of 109) did not have sufficient detail and was classified as unknown.
The most common injuries reported were irritations or allergic reactions to the product.
Electric ranges or ovens
Number of reports received in 2018
From consumers: 53
From industry: 47
Total: 100
The top hazards reported included:
- 33% (33 of 100) excessive heat/overheating,
- 19% (19 of 100) fire, and
- 12% (12 of 100) sharp edge or point.
72% (72 of 100) of the reports did not mention an injury.
The remaining 28% (28 of 100) of the reports mentioned injuries, of which:
- 54% (15 of 28) did not have sufficient detail and were classified as unknown,
- 39% (11 of 28) were minor, and
- 7% (2 of 28) were moderate.
The most common injuries reported were burns, cuts, and irritation or allergic reactions.
Battery chargers and adapters
Number of reports received in 2018
From consumers: 15
From industry: 52
Total: 67
The top hazards reported included:
- 45% (30 of 67) excessive heat,
- 21% (14 of 67) smoke,
- 15% (10 of 67) fire, and
- 7% (5 of 67) combustion.
84% (56 of 67) of the reports did not mention an injury.
The remaining 16% (11 of 67) of the reports mentioned injuries, of which:
- 91% (10 of 11) were minor, and
- 9% (1 of 11) were moderate.
The most common injuries reported were burns and electric shock.
Laundry soaps or detergents
Number of reports received in 2018
From consumers: 4
From industry: 62
Total: 66
All hazards reported were toxicologicalFootnote *.
Only 3% (2 of 57) of the reports did not mention an injury.
All 66 reports mentioned an injury, of which:
- 47% (31 of 66) were severe,
- 35% (23 of 66) were moderate,
- 12% (8 of 66) were life threatening or disabling,
- 3% (2 of 66) were fatal,
- 2% (1 of 66) did not have sufficient detail and were classified as unknown, and
- 2% (1 of 66) were minor.
The most common injuries reported were irritations or allergic reactions, and poisoning.
Stroller/Tricycle
Number of reports received in 2018
From consumers: 62
From industry: 0
Total: 62
All hazards were unknown.
100% (62 of 62) of the reports did not mention an injury.
Light bulbs (excl. Christmas tree light bulbs)
Number of reports received in 2018
From consumers: 32
From industry: 24
Total: 56
The top hazards reported included:
- 29% (16 of 56) excessive heat/overheating,
- 20% (11 of 56) fire,
- 13% (7 of 56) sharp edge or point,
- 13% (7 of 56) combustion, and
- 9% (5 of 56) smoke.
89% (50 of 56) of the reports did not mention an injury.
The remaining 11% (6 of 56) of the reports mentioned injuries, of which:
- 83% (5 of 6) were minor, and
- 17% (1 of 6) did not have sufficient detail and were classified as unknown.
The most common injuries reported were cuts, burns, and electric shock.
Thermostats
Number of reports received in 2018
From consumers: 36
From industry: 18
Total: 54
The top hazards reported included:
- 50% (27 of 54) fire,
- 28% (15 of 54) excessive heat, and
- 11% (6 of 54) combustion.
98% (53 of 54) of the reports did not mention an injury.
The remaining single reported injury was an irritation or allergic reaction of unknown severity caused by a fire.
Computers
Number of reports received in 2018
From consumers: 17
From industry: 26
Total: 43
The top hazards reported included:
- 28% (12 of 43) fire,
- 19% (8 of 43) excessive heat,
- 9% (4 of 43) combustion, and
- 7% (3 of 43) smoke.
86% (37 of 43) of the reports did not mention an injury.
The remaining 14% (6 of 43) of the reports mentioned injuries, of which:
- 67% (4 of 6) were minor,
- 17% (1 of 6) were moderate, and
- 17% (1 of 6) were severe.
The most common injuries were burns.
All consumer products reported that mentioned a death
For the 2018 year, multiple product types had an incident report that mentioned at least 1 death.
Garden tractors and riding power lawn mowers
Number of reports received in 2018 that mentioned a death
From consumers: 0
From industry: 10
Total: 10
Of the reported deaths:
- 3 were described as overturning/roll overs of the products that pinned or crushed the consumers;
- 3 were described as the individual being struck by or driven over by the garden tractor or riding power lawn mower;
- 2 involved collisions with motor vehicles;
- 1 involved carbon monoxide poisoning from the tractor being left on in an enclosed space; and
- 1 involved a collision with a structure causing the operator to be pinned.
Window shades, venetian blinds or indoor shutters
Number of reports received in 2018 that mentioned a death
From consumers: 5
From industry: 0
Total: 5
The 5 reported deaths were described as being due to strangulation by cord entanglement.
Three of these deaths occurred prior to 2018 (2004, 2006, 2014) but were reported in 2018. The other 2 occurred during 2018.
Laundry soaps or detergents
Number of reports received in 2018 that mentioned a death
From consumers: 0
From industry: 2
Total: 2
The 2 reported deaths were described as being due to poisonings from ingestion of the product.
Floor lamps or table lamps, electric (excluding halogen lamps)
Number of reports received in 2018 that mentioned a death
From consumers: 1
From industry: 0
Total: 1
The reported death was described as being due to extensive burns, and subsequent medical complications, from a fire.
Vaping Device
Number of reports received in 2018 that mentioned a death
From consumers: 1
From industry: 0
Total: 1
The reported death was described as being due to a lung issue exacerbated by using a vaping device.
Balls, other or not specified
Number of reports received in 2018 that mentioned a death
From consumers: 0
From industry: 1
Total: 1
The reported death was described as being due to choking on a bouncy ball that was caught in the child’s throat.
Generators or power plants
Number of reports received in 2018 that mentioned a death
From consumers: 1
From industry: 0
Total: 1
The reported death was described as being due to poisoning from carbon monoxide.
Heaters or heating systems, other or not specified
Number of reports received in 2018 that mentioned a death
From consumers: 1
From industry: 0
Total: 1
The reported death was described as being due to carbon monoxide poisoning from a fire.
Top 10 consumer products reported that mentioned a non-fatal injury
All of the non-fatal injuries reported are grouped into different levels of severity (unknown, minor, or life threatening for example). These levels correspond to the overall risk that was reported and rely on factors such as: whether medical treatment was sought, whether the injury was sustained by a vulnerable population, and whether that injury was reversible.
Totals may not equal 100% due to rounding.
Diapers
Number of reports received in 2018 that mentioned an injury
From consumers: 2
From industry: 107
Total: 109
95% (104 of 109) of the injuries reported were described as irritations or allergic reactions:
- 53% (55 of 104) were severe,
- 46% (48 of 104) were moderate, and
- 1% (1 of 104) was minor.
1% (1 of 109) of the injuries reported was described as minor asphyxiation.
The remaining 4% (4 of 109) of injuries reported did not have sufficient detail and were classified as unknown, however 3 were moderate, severe, or life threatening in severity.
The most common hazard reported was toxicologicalFootnote *.
Laundry soaps or detergents
Number of reports received in 2018 that mentioned an injury
From consumers: 4
From industry: 60
Total: 64
50% (32 of 64) of the injuries reported were described as irritations or allergic reactions:
- 44% (14 of 32) were moderate,
- 41% (13 of 32) were severe,
- 9% (3 of 32) were life threatening or disabling,
- 3% (1 of 32) were minor, and
- 3% (1 of 32) did not have sufficient detail and were classified as unknown.
45% (29 of 64) of the injuries reported were described as poisoning by ingestion of the product:
- 59% (17 of 29) were severe,
- 24% (7 of 29) were moderate, and
- 17% (5 of 29) were life threatening or disabling.
2% (1 of 64) of the injuries reported were described as moderate burns, and the remaining 3% (2 of 64) of the injuries reported did not have sufficient detail and were classified as unknown.
All 64 incidents reported a toxicologicaFootnote * hazard.
Toys
Number of reports received in 2018 that mentioned an injury
From consumers: 10
From industry: 50
Total: 60
The following information is presented in a slightly different format than other products, in order to accurately and easily communicate the large variety of injuries associated with different toys products such as:
- dolls, plush toys, and action figures;
- doll houses and other play scenes;
- blocks, stacking toys or pull toys;
- building sets;
- moulding compounds;
- non-riding toy vehicles;
- pretend electronics, tools, housewares and appliances;
- squeeze or squeaker toys;
- toy guns with projectiles; and
- water toys.
82% (49 of 60) of the injuries reported were minor or moderate in severity:
- 35% (17 of 49) were described as cuts,
- 22% (11 of 49) were described as bruises,
- 14% (7 of 49) were described as asphyxia,
- 12% (6 of 49) were described as undetermined,
- 8% (4 of 49) were described as irritations or allergic reactions,
- 4% (2 of 49) were described as burns,
- 2% (1 of 49) were described as being due to the presence of a foreign object, and
- 2% (1 of 49) did not have sufficient detail and were classified as unknown.
10% (6 of 60) of injuries reported were severe or life threatening and disabling in severity:
- 50% (3 of 6) were described as undetermined,
- 33% (2 of 6) were described as being due to the presence of a foreign object, and
- 17% (1 of 6) were described as asphyxia.
8% (5 of 60) of the injuries reported had an unknown injury severity but were for burns, cuts and the presence of a foreign object.
The most common hazards reported include sharp edge or point, small part, toxicologicalFootnote *, entrapment, impaction, excessive heat, and pinch or shear.
Telephones or accessories
Number of reports received in 2018 that mentioned an injury
From consumers: 2
From industry: 33
Total: 35
80% (28 of 35) of the injuries reported were described as burns:
- 75% (21 of 28) were minor,
- 14% (4 of 28) were moderate,
- 7% (2 of 28) did not have sufficient detail and were classified as unknown, and
- 4% (1 of 28) were severe.
6% (2 of 35) of the injuries reported were described as minor cuts.
6% (2 of 35) of the injuries reported were described as minor electric shock.
Of the remaining 9% (3 of 35) of injuries reported:
- 1 was a minor irritation or allergic reaction,
- 1 was a minor poisoning, and
- 1 did not have sufficient detail and were classified as unknown.
The most commons hazards reported were excessive heat, fire, and smoke.
Electric ranges or ovens
Number of reports received in 2018 that mentioned an injury
From consumers: 6
From industry: 22
Total: 28
50% (14 of 28) of the injuries were described as burns:
- 50% (7 of 14) did not have sufficient detail and were classified as unknown,
- 36% (5 of 14) were minor, and
- 14% (2 of 14) were moderate.
21% (6 of 28) of the injuries were described as cuts:
- 50% (3 of 6) were minor, and
- 50% (3 of 6) did not have sufficient detail and were classified as unknown.
11% (3 of 28) of the injuries were described as minor irritation or allergic reactions.
4% (1 of 28) of the injuries were described as electric shock with an unknown injury severity.
The remaining 15% (4 of 28) of the injuries did not have sufficient detail and were classified as unknown.
The most common hazards reported were sharp edge or point, excessive heat/overheating, and fire.
Candles
Number of reports received in 2018 that mentioned an injury
From consumers: 1
From industry: 25
Total: 26
88% (23 of 26) of the injuries reported were described as cuts:
- 87% (20 of 23) were minor, and
- 13% (3 of 23) were moderate.
8% (2 of 26) of the injuries reported were described as burns:
- 50% (1 of 2) were minor, and
- 50% (1 of 2) were moderate.
The remaining 4% (1 of 26) of the injuries reported were described as minor irritation or allergic reaction.
The most common hazard reported was sharp edge or point.
Pictures, picture frames or wall decorations
Number of reports received in 2018 that mentioned an injury
From consumers: 0
From industry: 19
Total: 19
100% (19 of 19) of the injuries reported were described as cuts:
- 68% (13 of 19) were minor,
- 21% (4 of 19) were moderate, and
- 11% (2 of 19) did not have sufficient detail and were classified as unknown.
The most common hazard reported was sharp edge or point.
Garden tractors and riding power lawn mowers
Number of reports received in 2018 that mentioned an injury
From consumers: 0
From industry: 17
Total: 17
24% (4 of 17) of the injuries did not have sufficient detail and were classified as unknown, however 3 were severe injuries.
18% (3 of 17) of the injuries were described as amputations:
- 67% (2 of 3) were severe, and
- 33% (1 of 3) were life threatening or disabling.
18% (3 of 17) of the described injuries were severe cuts.
12% (2 of 17) of the described injuries were severe brain injuries.
12% (2 of 17) of the described injuries were severe fractures.
The remaining 18% (3 of 17) of injuries were described as being minor or moderate bruising, burns, and sprains or strains.
The most common hazard types reported were sharp edge or point, struck by or against, and fire.
Chairs (excl. high chairs, patio chairs, recliners, or rocking chairs)
Number of reports received in 2018 that mentioned an injury
From consumers: 3
From industry: 12
Total: 15
53% (8 of 15) of the injuries reported did not have sufficient detail and were classified as unknown.
20% (3 of 15) of the injuries were described as minor bruises.
13% (2 of 15) of the injuries were described as moderate brain injuries.
Of the remaining 14% (2 of 15) of injuries:
- 50% (1 of 2) were described as minor sprain or strain, and
- 50% (1 of 2) were described as severe fracture.
The most common hazards reported were instability, broken part, and collapse.
Drinking glasses
Number of reports received in 2018 that mentioned an injury
From consumers: 2
From industry: 9
Total: 11
82% (9 of 11) of the injuries were described as cuts:
- 67% (6 of 9) were moderate, and
- 33% (3 of 9) were minor.
18% (2 of 9) of the described injuries were moderate burns from hot liquid.
The most common hazards reported were sharp edge or point, and broken part.
Find out more about consumer products.
Cosmetics
Total reports received in 2018 from consumers and industry
161 cosmetic reports were received between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018, of which 107 mentioned a non-fatal injury
Cosmetics do not have any mandatory incident reporting requirements for industry under either the Food and Drugs Act or the Cosmetics Regulations. All reports received by industry are voluntary.
Figure 2 - Text description
Month and Year Report Received |
Number of Incident Reports Received | ||
---|---|---|---|
Incident - Consumer | Incident - Industry | Grand Total | |
Jan | 16 | 0 | 16 |
Feb | 12 | 3 | 15 |
Mar | 10 | 2 | 12 |
Apr | 14 | 4 | 18 |
May | 3 | 3 | 6 |
June | 5 | 1 | 6 |
Jul | 14 | 4 | 18 |
Aug | 16 | 1 | 17 |
Sep | 8 | 1 | 9 |
Oct | 15 | 1 | 16 |
Nov | 17 | 0 | 17 |
Dec | 10 | 1 | 11 |
Grand Total | 140 | 21 | 161 |
Top 10 cosmetic products reported
66% (107 of 161) of the cosmetic reports received between January 2018 and December 2018 mentioned injuries, and 86% (138 of 161) of the reports received were concerning toxicologicalFootnote * hazards. The top 10 products reported are also the top 10 products associated with the description of an injury. As with consumer products, all of the injuries reported are grouped into different levels of severity (unknown, minor, or life threatening, for example). These levels correspond to the overall risk that was reported and relies on factors such as: whether medical treatment was sought, whether the injury was sustained by a vulnerable population, and whether the injury was reversible.
Totals may not equal 100% due to rounding.
Moisturizers
Number of reports received in 2018
From consumers: 33
From industry: 1
Total: 34
Of the 34 reports, 59% (20 of 34) mentioned an injury.
Of the 20 injuries:
- 95% (19 of 20) were described as irritations or allergic reactions, and
- 5% (1 of 20) were described as cuts due to sharp edges.
Injury severity:
- 45% (9 of 20) were minor,
- 40% (8 of 20) were moderate,
- 10% (2 of 20) did not have sufficient detail and were classified as unknown, and
- 5% (1 of 20) were severe.
The moisturizing products included:
- 68% (23 of 34) facial moisturizers (including lips, eyes), and
- 32% (11 of 34) body moisturizers.
Cleansers
Number of reports received in 2018
From consumers: 16
From industry: 12
Total: 28
Of the 28 reports, 50% (14 of 28) mentioned an injury.
Of the 14 injuries:
- 86% (12 of 14) were described as irritations or allergic reactions,
- 7% (1 of 14) were described as burns, and
- 7% (1 of 14) did not have sufficient detail and were classified as unknown.
Injury severity:
- 36% (5 of 14) were moderate,
- 29% (4 of 14) were minor,
- 21% (3 of 14) did not have sufficient detail and were classified as unknown, and
- 14% (2 of 14) were severe.
The cleanser products included:
- 75% (21 of 28) body cleansers
- 11% (3 of 28) face cleansers,
- 7% (2 of 28) hair cleansers, and
- 7% (2 of 28) genital cleansers.
Makeup (non-permanent, incl. henna tattoo)
Number of reports received in 2018
From consumers: 14
From industry: 0
Total: 14
Of the 14 reports, 64% (9 of 14) mentioned an injury.
Of the 9 injuries:
- 78% (7 of 9) were described as irritations or allergic reactions, and
- 22% (2 of 9) did not have sufficient detail and were classified as unknown.
Injury severity:
- 44% (4 of 9) were moderate,
- 33% (3 of 9) were minor, and
- 22% (2 of 9) were severe.
The non-permanent makeup products were for:
- 50% (7 of 14) the eyes,
- 43% (6 of 14) the body, and
- 7% (1 of 14) the face.
Bath Products (incl. bath bombs, salts and oils)
Number of reports received in 2018
From consumers: 9
From industry: 2
Total: 11
Of the 11 reports, 55% (6 of 11) mentioned an injury.
Of the 6 injuries:
- 83% (5 of 6) were described as irritations or allergic reactions, and
- 17% (1 of 6) were described as cuts.
Injury severity:
- 67% (4 of 6) were minor,
- 17% (1 of 6) were severe, and
- 17% (1 of 6) were moderate.
Shampoo
Number of reports received in 2018
From consumers: 9
From industry: 0
Total: 9
Of the 9 reports, 100% (9 of 9) mentioned an injury:
- 89% (8 of 9) were described as irritations or allergic reactions, and
- 11% (1 of 9) did not have sufficient detail and were classified as unknown.
Injury severity:
- 67% (6 of 9) were moderate,
- 22% (2 of 9) were minor, and
- 11% (1 of 9) were severe.
Antiperspirants/Deodorants
Number of reports received in 2018
From consumers: 8
From industry: 0
Total: 8
Of the 8 reports, 100% (8 of 8) mentioned an injury:
- 88% (7 of 8) were described as irritations or allergic reactions, and
- 13% (1 of 8) did not have sufficient detail and were classified as unknown.
Injury severity:
- 63% (5 of 8) were moderate, and
- 38% (3 of 8) were minor.
Conditioners
Number of reports received in 2018
From consumers: 8
From industry: 0
Total: 8
Of the 8 reports, 100% (8 of 8) mentioned an injury:
- 75% (6 of 8) were described as irritations or allergic reactions,
- 13% (1 of 8) were described as poisoning, and
- 13% (1 of 8) did not have sufficient detail and were classified as unknown.
Injury severity:
- 38% (3 of 8) were minor,
- 38% (3 of 8) were moderate,
- 13% (1 of 8) were severe, and
- 13% (1 of 8) did not have sufficient detail and were classified as unknown.
Cosmetic adhesives
Number of reports received in 2018
From consumers: 7
From industry: 0
Total: 7
Of the 7 reports, 57% (4 of 7) mentioned an injury.
Of the 4 injuries:
- 75% (3 of 4) were described as irritations or allergic reactions, and
- 25% (1 of 4) did not have sufficient detail and were classified as unknown.
Injury severity:
- 50% (2 of 4) were minor, and
- 50% (2 of 4) were moderate.
The adhesive products included:
- 57% (4 of 7) eyelash adhesives, and
- 43% (3 of 7) nail adhesives.
Hair styling products
Number of reports received in 2018
From consumers: 6
From industry: 0
Total: 6
Of the 6 reports, 83% (5 of 6) mentioned an injury.
All 5 injuries were described as irritation or allergic reactions.
Injury severity:
- 80% (4 of 5) were moderate, and
- 20% (1 of 5) were minor.
Makeup (Permanent, incl. tattoos)
Number of reports received in 2018
From consumers: 5
From industry: 1
Total: 6
Of the 6 reports, 33% (2 of 6) mentioned an injury.
Of the 2 injuries:
- 50% (1 of 2) were described as irritations or allergic reactions, and
- 50% (1 of 2) did not have sufficient detail and were classified as unknown.
Injury severity:
- 50% (1 of 2) were minor, and
- 50% (1 of 2) were severe.
Find out more about cosmetics.
Conclusion
The CPSP monitors reports received and takes appropriate action on unsafe consumer products and cosmetics. When the CPSP receives reports of products that pose a risk, it will triage and evaluate whether those risks require further action to be taken. Those could include activities such as conducting consumer outreach campaigns, compliance and enforcement projects, or standards development activities.
Within the 2018 calendar year, the CPSP received a total of 2,516 consumer product and cosmetic reports from industry and consumers. This number is only slightly less than the 2,563 reports received in 2017.
The top reported products in 2018 were Toys, with 157 reports received, which is an increase of 14% from 2017. However, only a third of those reports mentioned an injury. Because of the large variability within the Toys category, which includes over 30 NEISS codes pertaining to the thousands of available toy products on the market, all toys were grouped together for the purpose of this report.
In 2017, the highest reported product type was Telephones and telephone accessories and that number dropped by 41% in 2018. The number of reports that mentioned a non-fatal injury also dropped by 59% from 2017 to 2018. This may be due to the CPSP’s identification and engagement in enforcement actions on a number of concerns with USB charging cables through a compliance and enforcement project during 2018.
Additionally, the 2018 year saw a 75% decrease in the number of reports received for Manual cleaning equipment (the vast majority of which were wire barbeque brushes) from 2017 (which, in turn, had an increase of 750% from 2016). As a result, this product type did not make the list of Top 10 Products or Injuries for 2018. This shift in reporting is likely due to the media attention on BBQ brushes and Health Canada’s own postings on this subject.
Finally, the CPSP saw a consistent number of reports received for cosmetic products, which are voluntarily reported, with only a slight decrease of 4% from 2017.
How to report an incident involving a consumer product or cosmetic
Industry must report health or safety concerns involving a consumer product and are encouraged to voluntarily report health or safety issues involving a cosmetic.
Consumers are encouraged to report any health or safety issues directly to the CPSP involving either a consumer product or cosmetic and can also send a report to the manufacturer, importer or retailer of the consumer product or cosmetic.
Contact us
Any questions or comments on this report, including any requests for the data used to support this report, should be directed to cps-spc@hc-sc.gc.ca.
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