Safety & Science
Every cosmetics product on the market in Europe is safe to use. The cosmetics industry can state this with confidence because first, safety is the primary concern of all manufacturers, and secondly, European Union legislation requires all new products to undergo an expert scientific safety assessment before they are launched for sale.
Qualified inspectors in each European Union Member State (the so-called competent authorities) are responsible for reviewing safety assessments and checking products already on the market.
While safety is the industry’s prime concern, science and innovation are its drivers. Manufacturers employ thousands of scientists to identify new, more effective ingredients, test formulations and develop products with unique properties that fulfil consumer desires.
Innovation is crucial because most cosmetics products have a lifespan of under five years and manufacturers reformulate a quarter of their products every year. They need to improve products constantly in order to stay ahead in a highly competitive market where the consumer expects more choice and ever greater efficacy.
Scientific research and development is essential to the cosmetics industry. It can take several years to bring a product to market and safety is built in at every stage in the process.