Fragrance ingredients play an important role in cosmetic formulations; however, certain substances are recognized as potential allergens that may cause allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. To enhance consumer safety and transparency, regulatory authorities have introduced updated requirements for the disclosure of fragrance allergens on cosmetic labels.
What Are Fragrance Allergens?
Fragrance allergens are specific ingredients that must be disclosed when present above defined concentration thresholds in cosmetic products. These thresholds are:
- 0.01% for rinse-off products
- 0.001% for leave-on products
When these limits are exceeded, the allergens must be listed individually within the ingredient list and cannot be grouped under the general term “parfum.” This requirement applies regardless of the ingredient’s function or origin, including when it is part of a botanical extract.
Alignment with International Regulations
Canadian regulations have incorporated fragrance allergen requirements aligned with the European Commission Cosmetic
Products Regulation (Annex III). This alignment ensures consistency with global standards and improves transparency for consumers across markets.
In July 2023, the European Commission expanded the list of recognized fragrance allergens from 24 to 81 substances, significantly increasing disclosure requirements.
At NOC Cosmetics Inc., regulatory compliance and consumer safety remain our top priorities. We are actively working to update all product formulations, ingredient listings, and packaging artwork to align with the new fragrance allergen disclosure requirements.
During this transition phase, some products currently in the market may not yet reflect the updated allergen disclosures on their packaging. However, all updates are being implemented in accordance with the regulatory timelines established by Health Canada.