Federal Regulation of Non-Rx Cosmetic CLs Announced

Thursday, August 6 2015 | 00 h 00 min | News

Federal Minister of Health, Rita Ambrose, announced that non-rx cosmetic contact lenses will require the same medical-device standards for licensing, manufacturing, labeling and instructions as currently required for prescription contact lenses, a class II medical device, with effect July 16, 2016.

Bill C 313, to amend the Food and Drugs Act was sponsored by Patricia Davidson (MP Sarnia Lambton) in 2011 and received royal assent in December 2012.   More than 30 months later, the regulations to bring the law into force are announced.

Health Canada had issued a warning on the dangers of cosmetic contact lenses as early as October 2000.

The announcement noted the enthusiast support of vision health professionals.

More Information:

Government of Canada News Release

Canadian Ophthalmological Society statement on Non Corrective Contact Lenses

Canadian Association of Optometrists Position Statement on Cosmetic Contact Lenses