Labelling
The cosmetics industry works hard to provide information because knowledge about cosmetics and their ingredients underpins consumer confidence in the products they use.
The Cosmetics Directive sets out labelling requirements in order to provide consumers with access to the information they need.
In Europe, cosmetic container labels must list all ingredients in the product formulation using identical terms across the whole European Union. These terms are based on the International Nomenclature for Cosmetics Ingredients (INCI) along with descriptions of certain substances specified in the Directive.
The Directive also requires other information to be included on product labels:
- Name and address of the manufacturer, importer or distributor
- Nominal content < by weight or volume
- Date of minimum durability, or Period After Opening (PAO) for products lasting more than 30 months
- Precautions to be observed in use
- Goods identification reference (e.g. a batch number / manufacturing code)
- Function of the product (unless it is clear from the presentation)
Special provisions apply to small or unusually shaped products that are difficult to label. The Directive states that precautions to be observed in use and the list of ingredients can be printed on “an enclosed leaflet, label, tape or card”.
The container and outer packaging of a small or unusually shaped product might display a symbol showing a hand pointing at a book to indicate that information is contained in a leaflet.
The packaging for some products (soap, bath balls etc) makes it impractical to enclose a leaflet, label, tape or card. The ingredients list for these products must “appear on a notice in immediate proximity to the container in which the cosmetic product is exposed for sale”.
Related Documents
Guidelines for the Evaluation of the Efficacy of Cosmetic Products, Revised version May 2008
Guidelines for the Assessment of a Cosmetic Product, 2004