EU Opens Consultation on Cosmetic Products Regulation

Reassessing the Framework for Cosmetics Safety and Sustainability

Implemented in 2013, the Cosmetic Products Regulation governs the safety, labelling, and marketing of cosmetic products across the EU. The current evaluation, the first of its kind, seeks to determine if the Regulation remains fit for purpose amidst rapidly evolving technological, environmental, and market landscapes.

Key focus areas include:

• Safety of substances used in cosmetics, especially those potentially harmful to human health and the environment
• The adequacy of labelling requirements, including for allergens and nanomaterials
• The impact of digitalisation, such as the use of e-labels and online product sales
• Environmental sustainability, including the lifecycle impacts of cosmetic ingredients and packaging waste

Stakeholders are asked to provide both qualitative and quantitative input on the Regulation’s performance, including cost and administrative burden, product innovation, and market dynamics.

What This Means for the Chemicals Value Chain

The consultation touches all points of the cosmetics value chain, from substance manufacturing and formulation to logistics and consumer safety oversight. For chemical suppliers and importers, this is an opportunity to influence how environmental risk and innovation capacity are weighed in future regulation.

Companies dealing in biocidal actives, nano-formulated ingredients, or involved in cross-border e-commerce are especially affected. Updates could impact REACH alignment, labelling duties, and safety assessment protocols, directly influencing compliance workloads and market competitiveness.