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Summaries of EU Legislation

Safer cosmetics for Europeans

Safer cosmetics for Europeans

Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products

ACT

Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products

SUMMARY

WHAT DOES THE REGULATION DO?

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Makes cosmetics products sold in the EU safer by tightening safety requirements.

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Simplifies procedures for companies and regulatory authorities in the sector.

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Updates the rules to take account of the latest technological developments, including the possible use of nanomaterials.

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Maintains the existing ban on animal testing.

KEY POINTS

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Extra requirements for manufacturers in compiling the safety report they need to place a product on the market.

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New concept of ‘responsible person’for each product:

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manufacturers cannot market any products in the EU until they have designated a clearly identified person or company within the EU in this role,

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this person or company must ensure the product meets all the relevant safety requirements under the legislation.

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Red tape for manufacturers is reduced as they have to register their products only once, with the EU’s Cosmetic Products Notification Portal.

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New requirement to report serious undesirable effects:

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responsible persons and distributors are required to report such effects to their national authorities,

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national authorities must then share this information - together with any they receive from other sources (users, health professionals) - with their counterparts in other EU countries.

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Packaging must contain a range of information, including the name and the address of the responsible person, the content, precautions for use and the list of ingredients.

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New rules for the use of nanomaterials.

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Lists of substances which are prohibited or restricted for use in cosmetics.

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Distributors must check that labelling, including use-by date, and language requirements are all in order.

WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?

From 11 July 2013.

BACKGROUND

Cosmetics - EU safety rules

REFERENCES

Act

Entry into force

Deadline for transposition in the Member States

Official Journal

Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009

11.7.2013; 1.12.2010 (Articles 15 paragraphs 1 and 2, Articles 14, 16, 31 and 32), 11.1.2013 (Article 16, paragraph 3, second section)

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OJ L 342, 22.12.2009, pp. 59-209

Successive amendments and corrections to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 have been incorporated into the basic text. This consolidated version is for reference only.

RELATED ACTS

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the animal testing and marketing ban and on the state of play in relation to alternative methods in the field of cosmetics (COM(2013) 135 final of 11.3.2013)

last update 19.06.2015

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