The Estée Lauder environmental violation resulted in a $750,000 fine after pleading guilty to violating Canada’s Environmental Protection Act of 1999. The Ontario Court of Justice imposed the fine on January 13, 2026, for two violations: failing to notify the government of a new activity and failing to comply with an order from authorities. In addition to the fine, Estée Lauder Cosmetics Ltd. must inform its shareholders of the conviction, and the funds will go to Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund.

PFAS Found in Cosmetic Products

The problems were found during a routine inspection in May 2023, when officers learned that Estée Lauder was selling eyeliner with Perfluorononyl Dimethicone, a PFAS chemical that doesn’t break down easily.

PFAS chemicals can cause long-term harm to the environment and health, and under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, any cosmetic product with these chemicals is a new activity that must be reported to the government before it’s imported or sold. Estée Lauder didn’t report this, which is against the law.

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Compliance Order Ignored

On June 8, 2023, the company received an order detailing the steps to resolve the issue, but Estée Lauder didn’t do what the order said, which is another violation of the law. Environment and Climate Change Canada said that its officers across the country work to uphold laws that protect natural resources, ecosystems, and public health. This conviction demonstrates that the government is serious about sustainable development and about holding companies accountable for complying with environmental regulations.

As a result, Estée Lauder is now on the Environmental Offenders Registry, a public list of companies convicted under federal environmental laws. This Registry helps keep corporate environmental practices open and accountable, which may impact the company’s public image and could lead to increased regulatory scrutiny. Stakeholders are now closely monitoring how Estée Lauder addresses future environmental obligations.

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Environmental Damages Fund and Public Awareness

The $750,000 fine will go to the Environmental Damages Fund, a federal program created in 1995 to support projects that fix environmental damage, and the fund supports initiatives that benefit ecosystems, communities, and public health.

Environment and Climate Change Canada also offers a free subscription service to keep Canadians informed about regulatory actions and measures to protect the environment. Health Canada works with the agency to ensure that cosmetics meet safety standards under the Environmental Protection Act, the Food and Drugs Act, and the Cosmetic Regulations, and the Estée Lauder environmental violation illustrates what can happen when you don’t comply with environmental regulations in Canada.

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