Guide for Completing Cosmetic Notification Forms

[Islandsoaper]

This is a link to the Health Canada site....

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/person/cosmet/info-ind-prof/_notification/guide-eng.php#s1

Thought I would start this off for a reference. I was looking for a list of the INCI names if anyone has a link.

Thanks

[The Soap Gallery]

I'm a labelling freak. There is a LOT of misinformation out on the net. Even with INCI terms.

Maybe I can help.

[Islandsoaper]

I haven't made any labels yet but am giving soap to friends and family so I think it's time I started.

For example would you say...saponified oils of Cocos Nucifera (coconut) etc..

or Sodium Cocoate etc..

I'm not sure most people will understand Sodium Cocoate and recognize what it is. As a soap maker I will do whatever is required.
But, speaking as a consumer I think these regulations confuse the issue. I've seen 3oz soaps and by the time they have all of the info in french and english it's all to small to read anyway

[The Soap Gallery]

Sodium Cocoate is INCI in both languages.

You may benefit from THIS PUBLICATION which explains the labeling rules, simply.

Imagining yours truly spending 3 hours on the phone with the labeling agency because of handmade whipped cream soap, superfatted....

[Islandsoaper]

Imagining yours truly spending 3 hours on the phone with the labeling agency because of handmade whipped cream soap, superfatted....

I can only imagine Louise there are a lot of hurdles and forms to fill. I guess you have to roll up your sleeves and get it done if you want to sell.
One of the things I enjoy most is doing something new each time. A new look or a new ingredient. I'm more about making soap than selling it. Lately, some family members are getting interested so enlisting their help might be a good idea. I like the idea of making a good product and meeting people with similar interests at farmers markets and craft fairs. I'm not so focused on profit but wouldn't want to lose money. I like the process of making things so that is my drive.

one question, should labels have a bar code as well. I just noticed that on the wine label.

many thanks

[The Soap Gallery]

I believe UPC codes (bar codes) are only required when you sell wholesale to big stores who require them.

Here is an About.com article about the requirements: UPC Bar Codes -Canada
and a link to the company that sells them:
GS1

[MCCMeli]

This is a link to the Health Canada site....

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/person/cosmet/info-ind-prof/_notification/guide-eng.php#s1

Thought I would start this off for a reference. I was looking for a list of the INCI names if anyone has a link.

Thanks

Many supplier sites have a list of INCI terms. Canwax has one, Oshun, Lotioncrafter and so on. Sometimes if they don't have the exact ingredient I need INCI for, I do a google search for the item and add "+INCI" and it brings up a number of sites that have the INCI for that particular item. I looked into the cost of the actual publication (INCI publication) and it was frightening!

I clicked on the link you provided, Islandsoaper, and for some reason it gave me a 404 page not found error. So here are a few more links (checked today):
General Requriements for Cosmetics: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/cosmet-person/indust/require-exige/index-eng.php

Guide to Cosmetic Ingredient Labelling: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/indust/labelling_guide-etiquetage/index-eng.php

INCI Compliance and Enforcement Policy: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/legislation/pol/compliance-inci-conformite-eng.php

Guidelines for Cosmetic Advertising and Cosmetic Claims: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pubs/indust/cosmet/index-eng.php

Cosmetic Notification Form: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/cosmet-person/indust/require-exige/cnf-dcf-eng.php

Many of the documents are in .pdf format so you can download them and either save or print them. The CNF is a fillable .pdf form as well, so what I've done is saved a copy to my computer to use whenever I need one.

I hope this is useful info for someone; I know it helped me a lot!

[Malaspina]

Meli and everyone else - great info!

Labelling can be a pain, but I would rather have our system than some others.

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