Estee Lauder Cosmetics Ltd - conviction information for 2026-01-13
| Corporation name: | Estee Lauder Cosmetics Ltd |
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| Address: | 161 Commander Blvd. |
| City: | Agincourt |
| Province/territory: | Ontario |
| Postal code: | M1S 3K9 |
| Country: | Canada |
| Sector or industry: | 41452 - Toiletries, cosmetics and sundries merchant wholesalers - |
| Location of offense: | 161 Commander Blvd., Agincourt, Ontario |
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| Case summary: |
Estee Lauder Cosmetics Ltd. (ELC) has a registered office address of 161 Commander Blvd. Agincourt, ON M1S 3K9 and sells its products across Canada via online and in-store retailers.
In May 2023, as part of a routine inspection, Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officers discovered the company was selling some eyeliner products that had Perfluorononyl Dimethicone listed as an ingredient. Perfluorononyl Dimethicone is a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS), sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals.”
The importation, sale, and distribution of cosmetic products that have Perfluorononyl Dimethicone as an ingredient are considered a “significant new activity” under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (the Act). This means the company was required to notify the government before the activity occurred. This important requirement allows the government to assess potential health or environmental risks in advance. In this case, by not respecting the requirement to notify, the company violated subsection 81(4) of the Act.
On June 8, 2023, officers issued an environmental protection compliance order to the company regarding the “significant new activity.” The order outlined steps the company was to take to become compliant with the “significant new activity” requirements of the Act. Ultimately, the company did not comply with the order, resulting in a violation of subsection 238(1) of the Act.
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| Charges: |
Offence 1: a violation of subsection 81(4) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). Offence 2: a violation of subsection 238(1) of CEPA. These two offences resulted in two counts under paragraph 272(1)(a) of CEPA.
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| Enforcement notification: | Estee Lauder Cosmetics Ltd. fined $750,000 for violating the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 |
| Result: | Guilty Plea |
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| Date of conviction: | 2026-01-13 |
| Court level: | Provincial and Territorial Court |
| Nature of offense(s): |
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| Additional details about the nature of the offense: |
| Act | Regulations | Section(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) | New Substances Notification Regulations (Chemicals and Polymers) |
| Date of sentencing: |
2026-01-13 |
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| Location of sentencing: | Toronto, Ontario |
| Sentence(s): |
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| Amount of fine(s): | $750,000 |
| Sentencing details: |
On January 13, 2026, before the Superior Court of Justice in Toronto, Ontario, Estee Lauder Cosmetics Ltd. has been found guilty of two counts under paragraph 272(1)(a) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) and was sentenced to pay a total fine of $750,000.00 to the Government of Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund.
In addition to this fine, pursuant to section 274.2 of CEPA, Estee Lauder Cosmetics Ltd. has been ordered to notify its shareholders by registered mail or e-mail of the facts of this conviction within 30 days. |