Category: Cosmetics

This guide covers requirements for skincare products, such as body lotion and soap. While we mainly focus on the Cosmetic Products Regulation and how the regulation relates to skin care products, we also cover the REACH Regulation, POPs Regulation, and Commission Decision (EU) 2021/1870.

Methodology: We list examples of skincare products provided in Annexes II to V of the Cosmetic Products Regulation. Also, we list examples of restricted substances from the following sources:

a. Annex II of the Cosmetic Products Regulation

b. Annex III to V of the Cosmetic Products Regulation (only substances for which skincare products are specifically mentioned)

c. Commission Decision (EU) 2021/1870 establishing the EU Ecolabel criteria for cosmetic products and animal care products (only substances for skincare care products are specifically mentioned)

d. REACH Regulation

Continue reading Skincare Regulations in the European Union: A Summary

This guide covers requirements for hair care products, such as hair sprays and hair lotions. We primarily explain the Cosmetic Products Regulation regulates substances in hair care products. We also explain the relevance of other regulations such as REACH, and the POPs Regulation in the context of hair care products.

Methodology: We provide examples of hair care products mentioned in Annexes II to V of the Cosmetic Products Regulation. Additionally, we list examples of banned and restricted substances from the following sources:

a. Annex II to V of the Cosmetic Products Regulation (only substances for which hair care products are mentioned)

b. Commission Decision (EU) 2021/1870 establishing the EU Ecolabel criteria for cosmetic products and animal care products (only substances for which hair care products are mentioned)

c. REACH Regulation

Continue reading Hair Care Regulations in the European Union: A Summary

Cosmetics made for the EU market must comply with certain substance restrictions. Some substances are prohibited, while limits apply to others. In some cases, there are also positive substance restrictions, in the sense that only certain substances can be used.

In short, understanding the status of the substances used in your cosmetic products is essential when selling in the EU. This guide takes a closer look at these restrictions in the Cosmetic Products Regulation, REACH, and the POPs regulation.

Methodology: In this guide we provide examples of restricted substances that are relevant to cosmetics, taken from the following sources:

a. Annex II to VI and Articles 15 to 17 of the Cosmetic Products Regulation

b. REACH Regulation

c. POPs Regulation

d. Toy Safety Directive

e. Commission Decision (EU) 2021/1870 establishing the EU Ecolabel criteria for cosmetic products and animal care products

Continue reading Cosmetic Substance Restrictions in the European Union

The Cosmetic Products Regulation establishes requirements for cosmetic products in the European Union, such as makeup, hair care products, skin care products, and more. In this guide we break down the requirements of the Cosmetic Products Regulation, including substance restrictions, safety assessment, labelling, and documentation.

In addition, we also list other regulations that are relevant to cosmetics, such as the REACH regulation and CLP regulation.

Continue reading EU Cosmetic Products Regulation: An Essential Guide

All cosmetic products must be subject to a safety assessment before being sold in EU markets. A key document that is produced during this stage is the Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) which is required to ultimately place the product in the market.

In this guide, we address common questions concerning the CPSR, unveil the individuals and businesses that are necessarily involved with its production, and provide a list of companies that provide related services.
Continue reading Cosmetic Product Safety Reports in the European Union

The key role when placing cosmetic products in EU markets is that of the responsible person. Without the responsible person assigned to the cosmetic product, it would not be possible to legally sell it within the EU.

In this guide, we address common questions associated with this role and explain what importers and manufacturers must know about the duties of the responsible person.
Continue reading Responsible Person for Cosmetic Products in the EU

The Cosmetic Products Regulation states that the responsible person (e.g., the manufacturer or importer) must use the Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP) to notify the EU regarding their cosmetic products, as well as nanomaterials used in cosmetic products.

In this guide, we explain the notification requirements as described in the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
Continue reading Cosmetic Notification Requirements in the European Union

Cosmetic products sold in the European Union must be labelled according to the provisions of the Cosmetic Products Regulation. Cosmetic labels must, for example, contain information about the company selling the product, content, batch number, and intended use.

Thera are also restrictions concerning product claims, and requirement related to precautions and warnings.

Further, we also cover labelling requirements that are part of regulations other than the Cosmetic Products Regulation, but that are still applicable to cosmetic products.

Continue reading Cosmetic Products Labelling Requirements in the European Union