Author: Teri Dickinson, Manager, Regulatory Affairs, Dell Tech Laboratories Ltd.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist is an administrative tool that Health Canada uses to communicate to manufacturers and others that certain substances may be prohibited or restricted for use in cosmetics. The Hotlist is a science-based document that is reviewed and updated periodically (i.e. when new scientific data becomes available). Health Canada can take actions at any time to enforce the Food and Drugs Act (FDA) and the Cosmetic Regulations (CR), regardless of whether a substance is included on the Hotlist.
In December 2019, the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist was updated with the following amendments to four entries. It is expected that stakeholders having notified cosmetics in which these amendments affect will come into compliance immediately.
Dihydrocoumarin
This entry was amended from a prohibition to a restriction. The ingredient is naturally occurring in some plant derivatives at low levels. A review of the available scientific data indicated that the ingredient may cause sensitization at higher concentrations but can be used at low levels without significant risk.
Disulfiram, Thiuram, Thiuram disulfides, and Thiuram monosulfides
These entries were amended to combine the substances under a single entry for Thiurams. The revised entry also encompasses thiuram tetrasulfides which were not previously captured under the Hotlist entries. These substances were all identified to pose similar skin sensitization risks. The combined Hotlist entry was also revised from a prohibition to a restriction because a review of the available scientific data indicated that the ingredients may cause skin sensitization under certain usage conditions but can be used in latex theatrical makeup without significant risk.
Sodium bromate
This entry was amended from a restriction to a prohibition. Sodium bromate is toxicologically equivalent to potassium bromate, which has been prohibited since March 2011 due to its carcinogenic potential, as assessed by the Government of Canada's Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA, 1999). The two entries were combined into one entry for Bromates.
Thioglycolic acid and its salts
This entry was amended to include new conditions regarding hair dye products and products for use in the area of the eye due to changes in ingredient usage.
References:
December 2019 Changes to the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist