Regulatory news and insights
Updates on EU, UK and international cosmetics regulations, explained by our regulatory team.
Selling cosmetics online to China? This is what you need to know…
Cross-Border E-commerce channels have been on the rise in China over the past years, which contributed to the rapid development of the Chinese cosmetics industry. Buying cosmetics through online platforms has been a growing trend among Chinese consumers. According to the Westwin Research report on Chinese Consumer Cross-Border Purchasing Behaviour, cosmetic products are the leading…
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Ban of 2-Chloro-p-Phenylenediamine and restriction of Phenylene Bis-Diphenyltriazine and Climbazole
On 30 April 2019, the European Commission has published new regulations amending Annexes II (prohibited substances), III (restricted substances), IV (colorants) and V (UV filters) to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products. 2-Chloro-p-Phenylenediamine ban The European Commission has banned the use of 2-Chloro-p-Phenylenediamine, its sulphate and dihydrochloride salts in eyebrow, eyelash and hair dye…
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The EU publishes new glossary of common ingredient names
On 8 May 2019, the European Commission has published Commission decision (EU) 2019/701, establishing a glossary of common ingredient names for use in the labelling of cosmetics which has replaced the old glossary of ingredients contained in Decision 96/335/EC. Article 33 of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 requires a glossary, which should include International Nomenclature of…
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BREXIT UPDATE – a new deadline and UK cosmetic legislation draft
Brexit was scheduled to take place on March 29, 2019, but has now been postponed to later this year, with the new deadline being October 31. However, the UK can leave the EU before then if the Prime Minister’s withdrawal agreement gets accepted. And there is also a possibility of Brexit being cancelled, if the…
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The EU publishes a draft of the new Cosmetic Ingredient Glossary
Cosmetic Ingredient Glossary On 20th of December 2018, the European Commission sent a draft notification (G/TBT/N/EU/637) to the World Trade Organization. According to the notification, the EU is establishing a new glossary of common cosmetic ingredients for use in the labelling of cosmetics. The main objective of the draft is to unify labelling of cosmetic…
Read articleWhat does BREXIT mean for cosmetic industry?
As from 30 March 2019, (withdrawal date) the United Kingdom (UK) will be considered a third country as it will no longer be a member of the EU. Brexit will have an impact on many fields, and the cosmetic industry is no exception. There are some legal repercussions, which need to be taken into account…
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Harmonization of Swiss regulation with the EU Cosmetic regulation
Since June 2014, the start of Project LARGO, Switzerland introduced many changes to its regulation. The main aim was to harmonize Swiss regulation with European Union (EU) and by doing so, opening the market, upholding bilateral treaties as well as ensuring a high level of consumers\’ safety. In addition to updates on the Ordinance on…
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The use of formaldehyde in cosmetics
Formaldehyde is classified as a carcinogen category 1B and as a mutagen category 2 under CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. This is a reclassification, which was adopted on 17 December 2013 and applied from 1st April 2015. Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing ingredients Formaldehyde is a colourless gas with a strong smell. It is quickly broken down…
Read articleChina’s first-imported non-special use cosmetics filing management
Registration of first-imported non-special use cosmetics in China has been replaced by filing management. This should make exporting cosmetics to China easier as there will be less restrictions on the port of entry. The regulatory update was announced by China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) and it was expanded nationwide on November 10, 2018. Under…
Read articleO-phenylphenol restriction and ban of sodium o-phenylphenate, potassium o-phenylphenate, MEA o-phenylphenate
Due to concerns raised by several Member States and potential risks to human health, the European Commission has decided to amend Annex V of the EU cosmetics regulation on 26 November 2018 in order to restrict the use of preservative o-phenylphenol and ban the use of preservatives sodium o-phenylphenate, potassium o-phenylphenate and MEA o-phenylphenate in…
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Cosmetic labelling requirements in China (GB 5296.3-2008)
As is the case in many other countries, labelling is a very important part of ensuring compliance with the relevant cosmetics legislation in China. The applicable national standard for cosmetic products labelling is GB 5296.3-2008. Cosmetic labels, including claims, are checked during the process of pre-market product registration and they are also checked by the…
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California Proposition 65 (Prop 65)
The California Proposition 65, also known as Prop 65, was passed in California in 1986 with the aim of protecting the state’s water sources. The Proposition requires the state to publish and maintain a list of chemicals that are known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. The list of such substances is…
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