Seeking a mentor for Canadian Regulations/Laws

[April]

Hello:

I am currently a soap making hobbyist (CP). I am using this time to learn the art of making soap. My goal is to eventually sell my soap (small business)

I have been searching the internet for guidance on Canadian regulations and requirements for selling soap (labelling, safety assessment, Best Before, Batch number if applicable, etc). I haven't found clear guidance on this subject yet. When I search I end up on a web page dedicated to "cosmetics", but I didn't think soap was considered "cosmetic".

I would like someone to point me in the right direction via sites, existing links on this forum or a few sentences to kick start my journey.

I look forward to hearing from you and I truly appreciate any guidance I receive.

Thank you SO much.

Warmest regards,


April
(Ontario)

 

[fun_4_me_now]

You might start here:
http://competitionbureau.gc.ca

I believe they are the ones you complain to if something is mislabeled or just non-compliant.

 

[April]

Fun_4_Me_Now:

Much appeciated.

Thank you so much for this link. I am going to keep a list of the links sent to me.

There is so much to learn about this aspect of the business. I would rather know now than later.

Warm regards,

April

 

[djk17]

April, I realize this is a bit late...
however, soap is considered a cosmetic according to Canadian labeling laws. On the yahoo cream soap group there is more detail; will check to see if there is an external link to which I can direct you.


and...here we are

http://www.gazette.gc.ca/archives/p2/20 ... 4-eng.html

if that link breaks or the page moves, try googling for:
Canada Gazette, 2004 archives, and search for INCI

HTH

 

[April]

Hi there:

No this is not too late. I have not started to sell soap yet.

But you have answered an important question in that Canada says soap is a cosmetic, which of course makes labelling even more rigorous I assume.

Thank you ever so much for your help. I truly appreciate it. There is so much information that it is difficult to separate the chaf from the grain.

Warmest regards,

April

 

[djk17]

you are welcome!

I'm from BC but live in Europe so now I have to figure out EU laws, not that I am selling much, more gifting. I too just want to know in case I decide to raise production levels and start hitting the market

 

[April]

That is interesting.

There is a soap makers' online forum in the UK and I imagine that there are several Europeans online there as well (as there are here). I discovered some very tight controls in England. I had read (without due diligence) that they have regulations for what they call "Food-a-likes", soap that looks like food. The regulation is there to thwart children from eating soap. But like I said, I did not dig too deeply into this.

BC "appears" to have a far more active market than ON. Most of the soap websites are BC based. BC is an early adopter for most.

I wish you very well in all that you do in Europe. I have not lived in Europe, but briefly in England after I graduated from College.

Please keep in touch and let me know how you are doing. I might be back to ask you questions.

Warmest regards,