Estée Lauder Cosmetics Ltd. has been fined US$750,000 in Canada for failing to report the presence of a PFAS ingredient in its products. The company pleaded guilty to two environmental offences under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. This penalty, handed down by the Ontario Court of Justice on January 13, 2026, followed an inspection in May 2023 that found Perfluorononyl Dimethicone, a type of PFAS, in some eyeliner formulations.
Canadian law requires prior government notification before cosmetics containing such substances can be imported or sold. This allows for assessment of potential health and environmental risks. Estée Lauder's violation involved failing to notify the federal government about a “significant new activity” and not complying with a related environmental protection order. The fine will go to the Environmental Damages Fund. The company must also inform its shareholders of the conviction and will be listed on Canada’s Environmental Offenders Registry.
The significant penalty reflects Canada's increased focus on regulating PFAS, often called “forever chemicals” due to their persistence. For businesses in the beauty sector, this case highlights the critical need for transparency regarding ingredient sourcing and compliance with environmental regulations. It raises questions about the diligence of supply chain monitoring for potentially harmful substances across the entire industry.
