Period After Opening (PAO)
The Cosmetics Directive specifies a harmonised approach in Europe to labelling the useable lifespan of cosmetic products.
The Period After Opening (PAO) symbol is an open jar displayed on both the product container and outer packaging. It is accompanied by the lifespan of the product contents in months, indicated by a number followed by “M”. This can appear either on or next to the open jar symbol.
A small number of cosmetic products last for 30 months or less after manufacture. These are required to display a “best before” date but do not display the PAO symbol.
Other cosmetics exempt from the PAO symbol include single use products such as samples and hair dyes, products in packs such as aerosols that have no contact with the air, and very long-lasting products which do not deteriorate over time.