COSMETIC INGREDIENTS IN THE EU

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 check if your ingredient may be used in the EU:

1. Commission Decision (EU) 2022/677 of 31 March 2022 establishing a glossary of common ingredient names for use in the labelling of cosmetic products
2. CosIng database CosIng – Cosmetics – GROWTH – European Commission (europa.eu)
3. COSMILE Europe web-page Database – COSMILE Europe

Please be aware that in the EU, it is a requirement to use the appropriate INCI name (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) for all ingredients listed on cosmetic labels.