EU Cosmetic Labeling Requirements
EU requires for the cosmetic companies who intend to place a cosmetic product on the EU market to comply with EU cosmetic regulations. One of the key regulations is labeling compliance. Article 19 of the EU cosmetic regulations explains the rules for a compliant cosmetic label.
What is the mandatory information for a cosmetic label?
The container and the outer packaging of the cosmetic labeling must be indelible, easily legible and visible lettering.
- The name and address of the Responsible Person: The European regulation EC No. 1223/2009 defines the Responsible Person as a legal or natural person based in the EU who will act as the unique representative throughout the European Union. If you’re outside the EU, you must designate a Responsible Person (RP) based in Europe to be able to market products on the EU market. For more information about RP, please read our article Cosmetic Responsible Person – What is it?
- The Country of origin: If the product is made in Europe, such mention is not mandatory. But if the product is imported from countries outside of the EU, you should mention the country of origin.
- Nominal content: Nominal content of the product at the time of packaging, given by weight or volume.
- Date of minimum durability & Period after opening: You should use “hour-glass symbol” to illustrate the Date of Minimum Durability (DOMD) when equal to or below 30 months. The DOMD is defined by the stability test. If the DOMD exceeds 30 months, You can use the “open-jar symbol” which indicates the period after opening. “PAO” defined by the combination of the stability test and challenge test.
- Precautions for use: Particular precautions of use and warnings are mandatory in certain cases depending on the type of cosmetic product.
- Batch number: Batch number of manufacture or the reference for identifying the cosmetic product. The batch number is mandatory.
- Product function: The function of a product must be clearly indicated to prevent any misuse.
- List of ingredients: In decreasing order of weight, except for ingredients below 1%.
What Items should be translated on a cosmetic label?
- Product function: You must translate the function of the product into the native language of each country the product is being introduced to.
- Precautions for use: These also must be translated into the native language of each country the product is being introduced to. In case it is not possible to include this information, it should be included on the product’s packaging or on an enclosed leaflet. To do this, the product must be marked with ‘The hand-in-book symbol ’.
If you need help with cosmetic labeling, Responsible Person, or to inquire about EU cosmetic requirements, feel free to contact us today.
