ISO stands for the International Organization for Standardization. It is an independent international organization that develops voluntary standards to ensure consistency, quality, safety, efficiency and compatibility across products, services and processes. ISO standards are not, in themselves, cosmetic product legislation. However, they provide internationally recognized …
One of the most common misconceptions in the cosmetics industry is that a successful CPNP notification means a cosmetic product has been "approved" or "certified" by the authorities. It does not. The Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP) is an electronic notification system established under the …
The Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP) is an online system managed by the European Commission under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. It allows cosmetic products to be electronically notified before they are placed on the EU market. If you want to sell cosmetics in the EU, …
Plastic packaging plays a key role in the cosmetics industry due to its lightweight design, functionality, and versatility. However, packaging is not only a marketing or technical consideration. With the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), packaging must also meet increasing sustainability and …
PAO stands for Period After Opening. It indicates the length of time a cosmetic product can be safely used after the consumer opens it for the first time. The PAO is represented by the familiar open jar symbol followed by a number and the letter …
If you work with EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, you’ve probably noticed that amendment regulations often contain two different deadlines: 📅 “From [date X], cosmetic products shall not be placed on the Union market.” 📅 “From [date Y], cosmetic products shall not be made …
INCI stands for International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients. It’s a standardized system to identify cosmetic ingredients with a single, consistent name. INCI ensures that an ingredient has one universal label, making it easier for regulators, brands, and consumers to understand what’s inside a product. INCI …
When the UK left the EU (Brexit), its cosmetics regulatory framework didn’t suddenly change overnight. In fact, the UK initially copied and retained EU cosmetics legislation, ensuring continuity for businesses and consumer safety. However, over time, subtle but important differences have started to emerge—and they …
When choosing cosmetic products, safety is a key concern. One important topic in cosmetic regulation is the use of CMR substances, a group of chemicals that may pose long-term health risks. CMR stands for: Carcinogenic (C) – substances that may cause cancer Mutagenic (M) – …
The Digital Product Passport (DPP) is rooted in the European Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR, 2024/1781). It will apply to cosmetics, among many other products. The DPP is a digital identity card for each product, designed to simplify access to 3 types of information: Legal conformity …
There are 2 types of undesirable events according to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products: “undesirable effects (UEs)” are defined as “adverse reactions to human health attributable to the normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use of a cosmetic product”; “serious undesirable effects (SUEs)” …
In the EU cosmetic products have several symbols. Some of them are mandatory by the EU Cosmetic Regulation No. 1223/2009, others are voluntary. The most common symbols are: Related to its stability. In this case, you can find the Period After Opening or Hourglass Symbol. …
Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 on cosmetic products is aimed at harmonizing the 27 EU Member States and 4 European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries covered under this legislation. Please see below which language you should use on a cosmetic product if you sell it in …
Certain cosmetic products have an extremely low (or non-existent) risk of microbiological contamination because of their inherent characteristics, which create an environment hostile to the survival and growth of microorganisms. Products classified as "hostile" and manufactured in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) pose minimal …
A challenge test, also known as a preservative efficacy test, is an essential component of the safety evaluation process for cosmetics. The requirement for conducting a challenge test is outlined in the SCCS NoG 12th Edition, which specifies the demand for this test. In addition, …
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 on microplastics was published on 27th of September 2023 under the EU REACH Regulation (amending Annex XVII, Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006). The restriction on intentionally added microplastics in cosmetic products has different transition periods. Please note that products that have been …
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 was published in July 2023. In the past, we had 24 allergens that needed to be mentioned in the list of ingredients when their concentration exceeded 0,001% in leave-on products or 0,01% in rinse-off products. This new regulation identified 56 additional …
The European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) had undergone significant changes in their cosmetic regulations due to the UK's departure from the EU (Brexit). The UK Cosmetics Regulation automatically adopts the Annexes of the EU Cosmetics Regulation, as implemented until 31 December 2020. …
When placing a cosmetic product on the EU market, safety is not just about choosing the right ingredients — it is about proving that the final product is safe under normal and reasonably foreseeable conditions of use. Key checks include: preservative efficacy / challenge testing …
In Europe, cosmetic ingredients are regulated by the European Union (EU) under the Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. This regulation establishes a list of permitted and restricted ingredients that can be used in cosmetic products. There are 3 important sources of information where you can …
Microplastics (synthetic polymer microparticles) shall not be placed on the market as a substance on their own or, where the synthetic polymer microparticles are present to confer a sought-after characteristic, in mixtures in a concentration equal to or greater than 0,01 % by weight. What …
Claim substantiation is an essential aspect of the cosmetics industry in Europe. All cosmetic products marketed in the European Union (EU) must comply with the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, which sets out specific requirements for the safety and efficacy of cosmetic products, including …
What change in the EU Reg. 1223/2009 is expected soon? Draft of the Commission Regulation (EU) amending Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards labelling of fragrance allergens in cosmetic products was published. WTO was already informed by …
In order to comply with EU cosmetics regulation 1223/2009 (article 4), all cosmetic products sold in the EU must have a designated Responsible Person (RP). The RP is responsible for ensuring that the product is safe for consumers and that all relevant regulations are being …
