Health Canada has proposed new changes to the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist. The Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist is a list of substances that are restricted or prohibited in cosmetics. The purpose of the amendment is to improve the readability and functionality of the current entries on the Hotlist and add new prohibited cosmetic ingredients to the Hotlist and amend existing entries.

naturalThe following changes are proposed:

  1. Addition of prostaglandins and their analogs to the prohibited ingredient cosmetic list due to their presence on the Prescription Drug List and their therapeutic functions.
  1. Prohibition of the inclusion of methyliosthiazolinone/methylchloroisothiazoline in leave-on cosmetic products (e.g. moisturizers, body creams). The preservative can still be used in rinse-off products, such as shampoos and shower gels to a maximum concentration of 0.0015% or 15 ppm. This proposal alisngs with actions taken in the European Commission which will take effect in July 2015.
  1. Policy change in requirements for cyanoacrylate-based eyelash adhesives – Notifiers of cyanoacrylate-based adhesives for the application of false eyelashes no longer required to submit descriptions of their training and training materials to Health Canada upon notification. These products should only be sold and used by trained professionals and must contain cautionary statements to ensure the eye is protected and immobilized during application.
  1. Cautionary statement change for peroxide and peroxide-generating compounds – Replace the cautionary statement “Use for periods of longer than 14 days is to be only under the supervision of a dentist” to “Consult your dentist before prolonged use of this product” to better reflect current use patterns for tooth whitening products.
  1. Amend maximum concentration and synonym list of P-phenylenediamine – Add a maximum concentration of 3% after dilution with an oxidizer and add PPD p-phenylenediamine salts to the list of synonyms and related compounds. PPD is a potent sensitizer, its HCL and sulfate salts have also the same sensitization potential.

There is a 60 day consultation period (June 26-August 26, 2015) to comment on the above changes after which the changes will be finalized and industry is expected to update their cosmetic products if applicable.   Contact DSA for information on use of our services to ensure regulatory compliance for your cosmetic products.