On June 27, 2026, the Government of Canada published a notice on the Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 160, Number 26: the Ministers of the Environment and of Health assessed the cosmetic-related ingredient castor oil, monomaleate (CAS No 241153-84-4) and imposed a “Ministerial Condition” on its manufacture/import taking immediate effect.
Furthermore, the notice proposes “Significant New Activity (SNAc)” notification thresholds for four substances-TEA, DEA,LDE and CDE under which cosmetic products reaching certain concentrations or annual import quantities will trigger a prior notification obligation. CIRS Group has compiled the core contents of the notice for your reference.
Background
In Canada, prohibited and restricted cosmetic ingredients are managed primarily through Health Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist. At the same time, certain ingredients — due to environmental/health risks — are subject to New Substances Notification and Significant New Activity (SNAc) controls jointly administered by the Ministers of the Environment and of Health under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999). The current notice, pursuant to paragraph 84(1)(a) of CEPA 1999, imposes a Ministerial Condition on castor oil, monomaleate and proposes SNAc thresholds for four alkanolamide substances; both are closely related to cosmetic formulations.
Main Contents of the Notice
1.Castor oil, Monomaleate- Ministerial Condition (Immediate Restriction)
The Ministers have determined that there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the substance is “toxic” or capable of becoming toxic (within the meaning of section 64 of CEPA 1999). Pursuant to paragraph 84(1)(a) of CEPA 1999, the Minister of the Environment imposed a “Ministerial Condition” permitting the manufacture or import of the substance subject to the conditions set out in the annex.
The notifier may manufacture the substance only for use in the manufacture of liquid body wash, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, liquid hand soap, and toothpaste, in which the substance is present at a concentration of less than or equal to 2.5% by weight; the substance may be imported only for use in the manufacture of, or if it is contained in, such a product. The notifier must also, before transferring the substance, inform the recipient in writing of these conditions and keep related records for at least five years. The Ministerial Condition entered into force on June 10, 2026.
2. TEA, DEA,LDE and CDE-Proposed Significant New Activity (SNAc) Notification Thresholds
For the following four substances, a new Significant New Activity (SNAc) notification requirement is proposed; where cosmetic-related situations meet the thresholds below, a prior notification must be submitted to the competent authority:
| Substance (abbreviation) | CAS No. | Proposed SNAc Trigger |
| Triethanolamine (TEA) | 102-71-6 | For the manufacture of air fresheners with TEA, notification would be required when the concentration of the substance in air fresheners is greater than 4% by weight. |
| For the importation of TEA in air fresheners, notification would be required when the total quantity of the substance thus imported by any person (individual or corporation) in a calendar year is greater than 10 kg, and the concentration of the substance in air fresheners is greater than 4% by weight. | ||
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For the manufacture of certain cosmetics with TEA, notification would be required when the concentration of the substance is
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For the importation of TEA in certain cosmetics, notification would be required when the total quantity of the substance thus imported by any person (individual or corporation) in a calendar year is greater than 10 kg, and the product contains the substance at a concentration
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| Diethanolamine (DEA) | 111-42-2 | For the manufacture of cleaning sprays or all-purpose cleaning liquids with DEA, notification would be required when the concentration of the substance in those consumer products is equal to or greater than 3% by weight. |
| For the importation of DEA in cleaning sprays or all-purpose cleaning liquids, notification would be required when the total quantity of the substance thus imported by any person (individual or corporation) in a calendar year is greater than 10 kg, and the concentration of the substance in those consumer products is equal to or greater than 3% by weight. | ||
| Lauramide DEA (LDE) | 120-40-1 | For the manufacture of cosmetics that are leave-on products with LDE, notification would be required when the concentration of the substance in those cosmetics is greater than 2.5% by weight. |
| For the importation of LDE in cosmetics that are leave-on products, notification would be required when the total quantity of the substance thus imported by any person (individual or corporation) in a calendar year is greater than 10 kg, and the concentration of the substance in those cosmetics is greater than 2.5% by weight. | ||
| Cocamide DEA (CDE) | 68603-42-9 | For the manufacture of cleaning sprays or all-purpose cleaning liquids with CDE, notification would be required when the concentration of the substance in those consumer products is equal to or greater than 12.5% by weight. |
| For the importation of CDE in cleaning sprays or all-purpose cleaning liquids, notification would be required when the total quantity of the substance thus imported by any person (individual or corporation) in a calendar year is greater than 10 kg, and the concentration of the substance in those consumer products is equal to or greater than 12.5% by weight. | ||
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For the manufacture of certain cosmetics with CDE, notification would be required when the concentration of the substance is
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For the importation of CDE in certain cosmetics, notification would be required when the total quantity of the substance thus imported by any person (individual or corporation) in a calendar year is greater than 10 kg, and the product contains the substance at a concentration
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CIRS Reminder
This notice has a direct impact on cosmetics companies whose products contain the relevant ingredients (particularly those exporting to Canada). CIRS Group offers the following reminders:
- Screen for castor oil, monomaleate: check whether product formulas contain this ingredient (CAS 241153-84-4, commonly found in body wash / shower gel, etc.) and confirm compliance with the now-effective annex of the Ministerial Condition; adjust the formula or discontinue use where necessary;
- Review DEA-type surfactants: Review DEA-based surfactants: verify the usage concentrations of diethanolamine (DEA), lauramide DEA (LDE), and related substances, then evaluate against the proposed SNAc thresholds to determine whether prior notification is required;
- Distinguish the two mechanisms: the Ministerial Condition (immediately effective and legally binding) and the proposed SNAc thresholds (still at the consultation stage) are of different natures — companies should address them separately: comply immediately with the former and may submit comments on the latter during the comment period;
- Watch the comment period and the official text: the public comment period for the proposed SNAc provisions is as stated in the Canada Gazette; the final provisions and entry-into-force date are subject to the official text published by Canada;
- Cross-check the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist: DEA and related substances are also restricted under Canada's Hotlist and in other markets such as the EU and ASEAN; companies operating in multiple markets should review them in a coordinated way.
If you need any assistance or have any questions, please get in touch with us via service@cirs-group.com.
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