Cosmetics Legislation and Guidelines
What Are the Requirements for Cosmetic Products?
Within the European Union (EU), all cosmetic products must comply with Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 on Cosmetic Products. This regulation is the primary legal framework governing cosmetic products in the EU and includes requirements relating to product safety, ingredients, labelling, product information, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), the Responsible Person, and mandatory CPNP notification.
The Cosmetic Regulation has been fully applicable since 11 July 2013 and is regularly updated based on new scientific findings and European legislation. Always consult the latest consolidated version of the Regulation via the EUR-Lex website.
1. Labelling Requirements
A cosmetic product must display at least the following information:
- Name and address of the Responsible Person within the EU
- Nominal content (weight or volume)
- Batch or lot number
- Country of origin (only if manufactured outside the EU)
- Shelf life:
- Best Before Date (if the product has a shelf life of less than 30 months), or
- PAO (Period After Opening) symbol (open jar symbol) for products with a shelf life exceeding 30 months
- Precautions for use and any mandatory warnings
- Product function (if not obvious from its presentation)
- Full ingredient list using the official INCI names
2. Responsible Person (RP)
Every cosmetic product placed on the European market must have a Responsible Person (RP) established within the EU. This individual or company is legally responsible for ensuring compliance with the Cosmetic Regulation, including:
- Product safety
- Product Information File (PIF)
- CPNP notification
- Correct product labelling
- Cooperation with the competent authorities
3. Product Safety File Requirements
Each cosmetic product must have a complete Product Information File (PIF), including, among other things:
- Product formulation
- Purity of ingredients
- Microbiological specifications
- Cosmetic Product Safety Assessment (CPSR)
- Evidence supporting cosmetic claims (for example: "anti-wrinkle" or "firms the skin")
4. CPNP Notification
Before a cosmetic product may be placed on the EU market, it must be registered in the Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP). Only after successful notification may the product be legally marketed within the European Union.
5. Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)
Cosmetic products must be manufactured in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).
The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) uses NEN-EN-ISO 22716 as its guideline. ISO 22716 provides internationally recognised guidelines for the production, quality control, storage, and distribution of cosmetic products.
Importers should have access to a GMP declaration or certificate issued by the manufacturer or an independent third party.
6. Cosmetic Claims
Cosmetic claims must be truthful, verifiable, and supported by appropriate scientific evidence.
Examples of acceptable cosmetic claims:
✔ Moisturises the skin
✔ Softens the skin
✔ Nourishes and cares for the skin
Claims that are not permitted without scientific evidence include:
✖ Cures eczema
✖ Treats psoriasis
✖ Cures acne
7. Ingredients
Not all ingredients are permitted for use in cosmetic products.
The Cosmetic Regulation contains lists of:
- Prohibited substances
- Restricted substances
- Permitted colourants
- Permitted preservatives
- Permitted UV filters
These lists are regularly updated.
8. Animal Testing
Within the European Union, there is a ban on:
- Testing cosmetic products on animals
- Marketing cosmetic products that have been tested on animals where alternative testing methods are available under EU legislation
9. Nanomaterials
When nanomaterials are used in cosmetic products:
- They must be separately notified through the CPNP.
- They must be identified in the ingredient list by adding "(nano)" after the ingredient name.
10. Fragrance Allergens
Following recent amendments to the Cosmetic Regulation, a larger number of fragrance allergens must be declared individually on the product label whenever they exceed the applicable legal thresholds.
11. Technical Documentation
Technical documentation is available for most of the raw materials sold on our website, including:
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
- Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
- INCI information
- Allergen information (where applicable)
Batch-specific documents, such as a Certificate of Analysis (CoA), are available upon request. Please always provide the product reference number and the relevant batch number when requesting these documents.
12. Links to official organizations:
13. Other useful links:
- EU Soap Market (ENG): cbi.eu
- More information: NCV
- Safety & tests: SkinConsult BV
- Product analysis: Balis Micro BV / Balis Laboratorium BV
- Private Label Cosmetics & Medical Devices: Cosmade Belgium
