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Canada Moves Closer to the European Model on Allergens
- Daniel Jiménez
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
Canada has confirmed the phased introduction of new fragrance allergen labeling requirements for cosmetic products, a change relevant to all brands that operate or want to operate in this market.
Table of contents
Allergen Regulation and Labeling in Canada
The new regulation clearly brings the Canadian framework closer to the European model. From 2026, certain fragrance allergens must be declared individually in the ingredient list when they exceed the same thresholds already established in the EU: 0.001% in leave-in products and 0.01% in rinse-off products. In this context, the generic use of the term "Parfum" will no longer be sufficient in many cases.
Implementation will be phased in. Initially, a set of allergens will be required to be declared, and later the scope will be expanded to cover a much longer list. Although the timeline may seem distant, the technical impact is immediate, especially for brands with large product portfolios, multiple items, or packaging with limited space.
April 12, 2026 : all cosmetics, new and existing, must declare the first 24 fragrance allergens in the list of ingredients.
August 1, 2026 : New products must comply with the expanded list of 81 allergens .
August 1, 2028 : Products already on the market will also have to adapt to the expanded list.
This change necessitates reviewing actual formulations, verifying the consistency of the data submitted in the CNF (National Formulary), and anticipating potential labeling adjustments. In practice, the greatest risk is usually not the deadline itself, but rather last-minute corrections, reprocessing, and unnecessary disruptions to marketing.
Conclusion
At Belab Services, we support brands through these types of regulatory transitions, helping them anticipate changes through allergen audits, label reviews, and regulatory alignment for Canada, the European Union, and other strategic markets.
