Canada, Changes to the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist

In May 2024, the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist was updated by the Government of Canada's Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999). These updates include the addition of new ingredients and amendments to existing restrictions to ensure consumer safety.

• New additions

  • Basic Green 4

  • Benzophenone

  • P-Chloro-m-cresol

  • Solvent Violet 13

• Amended Items

  • Secondary Dialkanolamines

  • Alpha-Hydroxy Acids

  • Hydroquinone

  • p-Hydroxyanisole

  • Talc

• Conclusion

Canada, Changes to the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist

Canada Ingredient Hotlist: New Additions

Basic Green 4

• Reason: Added to the list of prohibited substances due to potential developmental effects.

• Assessment: Conducted by the CMP under CEPA 1999.

Benzophenone

• Reason: Added to the list of restricted substances due to adverse maternal effects, such as decreased body weight.

• Assessment: Conducted by the CMP under CEPA 1999.

P-Chloro-m-cresol

• Reason: Added to the list of restricted substances due to health concerns regarding the adrenal organs.

• Assessment: Conducted by the CMP under CEPA 1999.

Solvent Violet 13

• Reason: Added to the list of restricted substances due to health concerns.

• Assessment: Conducted by the CMP under CEPA 1999.

Canada Ingredient Hotlist: Amended Items

Secondary Dialkanolamines

• Change: Expanded to include secondary alkyl- and alkanolamines and their salts for clarity. These substances have a similar potential to act as precursors to carcinogenic nitrosamines.

Alpha-Hydroxy Acids

• Change: Clarified to include Polyhydroxy acids (PHAs) and bionic acids with alpha-hydroxy groups, as well as their salts. The maximum permitted concentration for consumer use was increased from 10% to 18%. Amendments also include updated warnings and cautionary statements, and additional product-specific directions for safe use.

Hydroquinone

• Change: Expanded the permitted nail product categories to include consumer-use products, increased the maximum permitted concentration for these products, and introduced a combined limit when both p-hydroxyanisole and hydroquinone are used in a nail product.

p-Hydroxyanisole

• Change: Introduced a combined limit when both p-hydroxyanisole and hydroquinone are used in a nail product.

Talc

• Change: Modified to reduce chronic inhalation exposure to talc in cosmetics that may result in non-cancer lung effects (such as inflammation or fibrosis), and to address genital exposure which may lead to ovarian cancer. Cautionary statements related to acute inhalation risks were also adjusted to include all loose powder products.

Canada Ingredient Hotlist: Conclusion

These updates to the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist reflect the Canadian Government's ongoing commitment to protecting consumer health through rigorous scientific assessment and appropriate regulatory measures. Manufacturers and consumers should be aware of these changes to ensure compliance and safety in the use of cosmetic products.