Hi all. For my personal use, I made a "bug stick" using a lotion base and some essential oils. My friends and family really like it and many have asked if I would begin selling it as I make soy wax candles as a business.

Are there government regulations regarding "body products"? Does a bug stick apply? Any advice you would be willing to share would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!
klc

Betty Jane
64 posts
Jun 30, 2009
6:15 AM

Bug stick does indeed apply, especially if you make claims that it repels bugs. You should check out the government website. I dont think that it falls under cosmetics. If I claim a soap clears acne it falls under a different and more carefully watched category. SJ has all of the links posted on the website under instructions. We cannot make claims on our products and still label them cosmetics they become something different. If you make a insect repellent it is considered a pesticide.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/person/cosmet/index-eng.php
Here is a bit of a guide line from the GC website
* Products that have a therapeutic claim or that contain certain ingredients not permitted in cosmetics are considered to be drugs, for example sunscreens.
* Products containing natural therapeutic ingredients are considered natural health products (NHPs), for example many toothpastes.
* Items where ingestion is intentional and that do not have a therapeutic effect or claim are food products.
* Insect repellent lotions and sprays are pesticides.
* Products (such as creams, lotions, or shampoos) providing a therapeutic benefit to animals are veterinary drugs.

There is a book by Marie Gale on Labeling Cosmetics and even though it is a US book the guidelines apply here as well.

Sending in those pesky government forms is the best way to go. Making sure that you have complied can save problems down the road. Just remember that it takes a long time to get any feedback from the government. It took me more than a year to get mine back. A good idea would be to make a photo copy of anything that you submit.
Good Luck
Betty Jane

klc
43 posts
Jul 02, 2009
6:51 AM

Thanks very much Betty Jane :-) I really appreciate the information. Have a great day!

klc