The ruling was issued on 2/2, after the American cosmetics company admitted violating the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA), CBS News reported. In addition to the financial penalty, the court required the company to inform shareholders of the incident. All fine proceeds will be transferred to the Canadian government's Environmental Damages Fund.

An Estee Lauder cosmetics booth. Photo: *Beauty Affairs*

Environment and Climate Change Canada stated that Estee Lauder's name would be recorded in the Environmental Offenders Registry, a public database of businesses convicted under federal law. The agency affirmed that stricter enforcement of laws aims to protect natural resources and public safety.

The cosmetics company's violation was discovered during an inspection in 5/2023. Authorities found that some of the brand's eyeliners contained perfluorononyl dimethicone. This compound belongs to the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) group, commonly known as "forever chemicals" due to their persistent nature and difficulty breaking down in nature and the human body, posing potential long-term health risks. Manufacturers often use this substance to enhance cosmetics' adhesion and durability on the skin.

Under Canadian regulations, importing and selling products containing perfluorononyl dimethicone is considered a "significant new activity". Businesses are required to declare such products before market release for government risk assessment. However, Estee Lauder bypassed this process, violating section 81 of the Act. Despite receiving a compliance order in 6/2023, the company did not fully implement the necessary corrective actions.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of artificial compounds widely used in industry due to their waterproof, heat-resistant, and grease-repellent properties. They are dubbed "forever chemicals" because their extremely stable carbon-fluorine bonds prevent molecules from naturally degrading in the environment for thousands of years. The most significant danger lies in their bioaccumulation potential, causing these chemicals to persist and gradually increase in concentration in soil, water, and human blood over time. Medical studies have linked PFAS exposure to numerous serious health risks, including cancer, liver damage, hormone disruption, and immune system impairment. Amid concerns about long-term toxicity, many countries are tightening regulations or completely eliminating this group of substances from consumer products.

Binh Minh (According to CBS News, Government of Canada)