Health Canada publishes guide to cosmetics ingredient labeling

Health Canada, the federal department responsible for assessing the safety of drugs and consumer products in Canada, has created a guide document to clarify existing cosmetics regulations under the food and drugs act.

The guide provides an overview of the International Nomenclature of Cosmetics Ingredients (INCI) labeling requirements, and aims to clarify nuances in the existing system of ingredients labeling.

Although the document is available to all online, it is hoped to be particularly helpful to those in the industry, with tips on how to verify proper INCI labeling.

The Minister of Health has made it clear that this guide has been produced to accompany and “not to supersede, substitute or limit the requirements under the legislation.”