News from Outside the Ship–
Pepe the Parrot has arrived with news from the Canadian Government. While we are out at sea, we can live casually but ethically. Later, when we return to shore and our country of origin, we must know their regulations. This will affect those of you planning to sell your products.
Stay calm, but be aware that you must follow Canadian guidelines when you create your labels and products for sale. Doing this with prior knowledge is much easier, as you can build the regulations into your plans.
The regulations do shift over time, so keep informed about current standards.
Please take a look at the information below. More will be given in Advanced, Practical Potions, but do take time with the GMP Information (Good Manufacturing Practices); although this is not law, it ensures your products are made with high standards.
Cosmetic Regulation in Canada
The regulations below are relevant to 2024. Please keep checking back with the Federal Government for new legislation. You can wait to follow these guidelines, as you are just making products for personal use in Practical Potions, Introductory, and they are not necessary for this course. But please look at these links if you plan on selling the product. It is better to know beforehand so you create labels and follow procedures from the beginning.
Some Regulatory Links- 2024 Guidelines
Government Forms For Product Submission
This does not apply if you use your products personally or for your immediate family.
Prohibited Substances List– https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product-safety/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredient-hotlist-prohibited-restricted-ingredients/hotlist.html
If you need help submitting your form, please contact us at hc.cosmetics.sc@canada.ca.
Notify Health Canada about a cosmetic by filling out the Cosmetic Notification Form.
https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/apps/radar/CPS-SPC-0007.08.html
Submit additional documents related to your cosmetic product after a notification has been sent: https://healthycanadians.gc.ca/apps/radar/HCT-TSC-0001.08.html
Review the Guidance document: How to complete a Cosmetic Notification Form to ensure the cosmetic notification forms are completed correctly. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product-safety/cosmetics/notification-cosmetics/guidance-document-complete-cosmetic-notification-form.html
Would you like some help submitting your HTML form? https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product-safety/cosmetics/notification-cosmetics/guidance-document-complete-cosmetic-notification-form/help-forms.html
Labelling Requirements- https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product-safety/reports-publications/industry-professionals/labelling-cosmetics.html
Good Manufacturing Practice-
Think of GMP as a set of rules and standards that help ensure the things we use daily, like medicines, food, and makeup, are top-notch and safe. It’s all about keeping quality and risks low during production, labelling, packaging, and storing these products. Minimize the risk of contamination and mix-ups and ensure the safety of your product. It is a quality control framework that covers everything from choosing your ingredients to customer satisfaction. It is optional for cosmetic creators, but following these guidelines ensures fewer problems for cosmetic creators and consumers.
Here’s why GMP matters:
- People Power: Training yourself and your staff is crucial. Help them develop compliant habits and watch their work closely. This way, mistakes or contamination are less likely to happen.
- Place Matters: The places where products are made need to be designed smartly. This means controlling airflow, temperature, and light to prevent mix-ups or contamination.
- Equipment Essentials: All tools and machines used in manufacturing need to be clean, well-maintained, and accurate. This ensures that every product is made just right.
- Material Check: It’s essential to use suitable raw materials and packaging quality to ensure the final product is what it’s supposed to be.
- Production Protocols: Every product-making step should be carefully planned and checked to ensure consistency.
- Quality Control: Products must be tested during manufacturing to meet all required standards.
- Documenting Details: The manufacturing process requires detailed records, which help track and improve it.
GMP isn’t static; it’s constantly evolving. Keeping up with these standards is a must for us when we sell products. Companies that don’t follow these rules might face recalls, fines, or legal issues.
Video on Good Manufacturing Practices
Good Manufacturing Practices are a sensible and safe way to make products. We have humorously presented this information, but of course, it is a serious matter:)
Sanitize Your Space–
Let’s clean up your workspace and equipment for cosmetic making. Think of it as setting the stage for your magic potion-making, ensuring everything is squeaky clean and safe, whether it’s just for you or your customers.
Sometimes, I sterilize my space with the bleach mixture mentioned below and then line my cupboards with sterile paper towels. Although I sometimes use my dishwasher, I ensure it has been thoroughly cleaned instead of using the method outlined below and washing only my cosmetic equipment. I use the sterilize selection on my dishwasher.
Here are other methods and ideas suggested for Good Manufacturing Methods.
Dress for Cleanliness: Before you start, wear gloves, masks, and aprons to protect yourself. It’s like wearing armour against germs and unwanted particles. I only use a mask when working with a powder, such as clay.
Workspace Makeover: First, make your workspace sparkle. Whip out a clean cloth or paper towel and banish any visible dirt or leftovers from previous projects. Ensure there is no clutter and that everything you need is handy.
Pre-rinse Parade: Give your equipment a quick rinse to begin.
Cleaning Concoction: Time to lather up! You can use a soapy cleaner.
Scrub-a-dub-dub: Now, get down to the nitty-gritty. Scrub your tools with a pristine, soft brush or cloth. Be sure to wear a mask and rubber gloves. Keep pets and children out of the space for their safety.
Rinse Round Two: Rinse off the soapy saga with warm water, making sure no trace of your cleaning spell remains.
Disinfectant Dive: Dunk your tools in a bleach bath for the grand finale. It’s like a spa for your equipment! A 6-minute soak in a bleach solution (1000-1200 ppm) zaps away any lingering germs. Here’s how to mix the perfect potion:
For regular strength bleach (5-6% sodium hypochlorite): Mix one tablespoon (15 mL) of bleach with 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water. Protect your skin and eyes while doing this.
For concentrated bleach (8.25% sodium hypochlorite), A teaspoon (5 mL) of bleach per gallon (3.8 L) of water will do the trick.
Then rinse this in clean water and dry with a clean, lint-free towel or air dry.
Could you document the sanitization process?
Who did it?
What was the date and time?
What cleaning agents were used?
Could you sanitize right before making products?
Think of this whole process as a pre-creation ritual. It’s not just about cleaning; it’s about preparing your space and yourself for the beautiful products you will create. Always keep your intent in mind. Happy crafting!