Canada - Proposition to update the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist

Canada proposition to update the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist.

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Information Letter 147

October 2025 – Proposition to update the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist.

Following the notice to stakeholder issued in May 2025, Health Canada has opened a public consultation on the next set of proposed amendments to the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist.

During the public consultation phase, Health Canada has formally released the proposed updates to the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist for a 60-day comment period.

At this stage, stakeholders are encouraged to review the proposed amendments in detail and submit scientific, technical, or operational feedback.

Companies should evaluate the direct impact on their current and future product portfolios, prepare any necessary supporting data for their submissions, and begin planning compliance strategies based on the likely outcomes. Once the consultation closes, Health Canada will review all stakeholder input before issuing its final response and publishing the updated Hotlist.

Proposed Additions

Basic Violet 4

This ingredient would be prohibited in leave-on hair products and restricted in other hair products as follows:

Ingredients	Restrictions
Ingredients	Conditions of Use by product type	Maximum Concentration Permitted	Warnings and Cautionary Statements
Basic Violet 4	Not permitted for use in leave on hair products	/	/
	Hair dye products	0,4 %	/
	Rinse off hair care products	0,2 %	/
	Other cosmetics	/	/

Basic Blue 7

This ingredient would be prohibited in leave-on hair products and restricted in other hair products as follows:

Ingredients	Restrictions
Ingredients	Conditions of Use by product type	Maximum Concentration Permitted	Warnings and Cautionary Statements
Basic Blue 7	Not permitted for use in leave on hair products	/	/
	Hair dye products	0,4 %	/
	Rinse off hair care products	0,2 %	/
	Nail products	0,8 %	/
	Bath products	2 %	/
	Other cosmetics	/	/

Polyaminopropyl Biguanide

The ingredient would be prohibited in spray or aerosol formulations and restricted in other cosmetics as follows :

Ingredients	Restrictions
Ingredients	Conditions of Use by product type	Maximum Concentration Permitted	Warnings and Cautionary Statements
Polyaminopropyl Biguanide	Not permitted for use in spray or aerosol formulations	/	/
Polyaminopropyl Biguanide	Other cosmetics	0,2 %	/

Proposed Revisions

Symphytum spp., with the exception of Symphytum officinale

Due to new evidences regarding the presence of echimidine, an hepatoxic alkaloid, Health Canada proposes removing the exception for Symphytum Officinale.

As a result, all Symphytum species and derivatives would now be prohibited.

Brucine

Due to neurotoxic properties, Health Canada proposes revising the current entry for brucine to prohibit the substance entirely.

Additionally, as the available information is considered insufficient to address potential long-term adverse health effects from repeated exposure, the entry may be expanded to include salts of Brucine such as Brucine sulfate.

Imperatorin

Health Canada proposes removing the standalone entry for imperatorin and including the substance under the furocoumarins entry.

Furocoumarins, except for naturally occurring in plant extracts

Health Canada proposes revising this entry to indicate that furocoumarins are not permitted as intentionally added ingredients and would only be allowed at trace levels when naturally occurring in plant extracts.

Furthermore, the currently permitted maximum concentration would apply to all leave-on products—not only sun-tanning products—since sun exposure may occur following the use of any leave-on cosmetic.

Ingredients	Restrictions
Ingredients	Conditions of Use by product type	Maximum Concentration Permitted	Warnings and Cautionary Statements
Furocoumarins	Not permitted for use as intentionally added ingredients	/	/
	Leave on products, when naturally occurring in plant extracts	0,0001 % (1 ppm)	/
	Rinse off products, when naturally occurring in plant extracts	/	/

We will continue to monitor Health Canada’s updates and provide further details as official decisions are announced. Please let us know if you would like assistance reviewing ingredient portfolios for compliance with these proposed changes.

More information is available here.