Health Canada gears up to ingredients labelling

According to a report from CP Health, a formal announcement from the body that it will introduce the new regulations in the course of the next two years is due to be made very soon.

The government body has been overseeing ten years of study that have culminated in a comprehensive labelling of ingredients aiming to make cosmetics safer and more accountable. The group set to benefit most from the new legislation are those suffering from allergies to certain chemical or active ingredients in cosmetics.

According to Health Canada​ consumers in the country have suffered a variety of side affects to unlabelled cosmetics ingredients, including severe rashes, hair loss and even medical conditions affecting the vital organs.

The federal government estimates that there are around 900,000 incidences of allergic reactions to cosmetics in the country each year, of which only 50 are officially reported. Ultimately the regulation is expected to save an estimated CAD$7.5 million in yearly medical care bills to treat cases of cosmetic allergy.

The timing of the regulations contrasts with laws in Europe, where a directive has already been implemented by the European Commission enforcing all Member States to clearly label ingredients on all cosmetic products.

According to Andreas Mestel, director at the European Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association​, the EU directive on cosmetics labelling was amended last year, but so far not all Members States have managed to implement the changes as further amendments from legislators have slowed down the process. He added that all Members States are expected to have complied with the labelling directive by the end of 2005.