Teach Soap

So soap is considered a cosmetic in Canada?

Anita

Yup.

Isn't it also considered a cosmetic in the US unless it's sold/labelled/marketed *only* as soap (i.e. no other claims like moisturizing, etc.)?

If I do sell I would like to sell to the US as well but of course, a whole new set of rules and regs to follow. And then of course I wonder: do I need different labels again for exporting to a diff. country? Ack!

Feels like forever and a day before I'll get it all figured out

Karri

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I soap therefore I am.

In the US, just as long as it's true soap, you don't even need an ingredient list. It's not considered a cosmetic. Most crafters do, as they are proud of the ingredients they use. We can't make ANY medical claims about our soaps. If one makes a medical claim, then that soap becomes an over the counter drug and must have proven extensive testing which is VERY pricey.

Some MP soaps are true soaps and the above applies. If the MP soap is a syndet bar, then all the ingredients must be listed on the label along with a safety warning. Of course no medical claims can be made for these soaps either.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

So in the U.S. is a CP soap - say like many of the ones found on this forum with EOs and other additives (natural or otherwise) - considered a "true soap" too then? I'd think it wouldn't be because most soapers tout the benefits of the oils and additives (moisturizing or whatever). i.e. it's not "just" for cleaning.

In Canada it's very similar in that any extra medical type claims push the product into drug category which to my knowledge is a different beast altogether (in both countries). Plus (in Canada) I think you can't make certain advertising/marketing claims about any sort of improvement the soap will cause to one's skin. I need to research this more but I believe it's pretty strict.

Karri

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I soap therefore I am.

Yes for CP. In the US, if it's considered true soap whether it has natural or artificial colors or fragrances. I know many who tout the benefits ie: moisturizing, but that's walking a fine line between true soap and an over the counter drug. Technically all you can say is that the soap will make you clean.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

I've been labeling mine as handcrafted soap, but if I add a special ingredient I'll put: "with shea butter", "avocado oil", etc on the front label along with the fragrance. No claims.

I use the KISS rule: Keep It Simple Stupid!

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

Fascinating. I was reading the Canadian guidelines re advertising claims last night and you can make certain claims as long they're "cosmetic" claims and not "drug" type claims. i.e. you can say things regarding how the soap may impact the feel or appearance of your skin but *not* how it might improve a medical condition or alter the cellular structure, that kind of thing.

But this is a good starting place for my research because obviously, if I eventually sell my soaps, I'd like to evolve to a point where I can sell to the U.S and of course, be in full compliance. Seems both countries are strict but go about it differently/focus on different things. (The Canadian guidelines, to my mind, are fair but very onerous to sift through and understand. Plus we have the whole bilingual labelling thing ... even though I'm in Alberta where pretty nobody I know speaks French. LOL).

Karri

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I soap therefore I am.

I think you will find US rules and regs easier to follow.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Yeah, it seems that way. The Canadian regs - while probably quite fair - present a huge burden in terms of just sifting through it all to make sure you're operating in compliance (which of course, lots of soapers are definitely *not* doing). It's all broken up into different documents across the Health Canada AND Industry Canada websites. Awful. Then there's the mountain of trying to get insured here. It's doable but ...

So have you noticed if Canadian soapers ship their soap to the US with the bilingual labels?

Karri

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I soap therefore I am.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

Interesting! But no bilingual (i.e. English and French) description or titles? Hmm ...

Karri

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I soap therefore I am.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

I believe that the US requirement is that the label be made in accordance with the home country's laws. SO if you are required to have bilingual labeling then it would be the same for you here. And I have seen French/English ingredient labels before, but cannot recall the soap manufacturer name, I just noted it cuz it was different. But then again, I dont usually look at soap ingredient labels at all. Lol

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy