Key takeaway
What This Development Means
The EU is reassessing its Cosmetics Regulation to align with evolving safety, environmental, and market standards. Industry professionals should engage in the consultation to shape a regulation that reflects innovation, protects health, and ensures market continuity.
What is the EU Cosmetic Products Regulation?
The Cosmetic Products Regulation (EC No 1223/2009) governs safety, labelling, and marketing of cosmetics in the EU. It ensures products are safe for consumers and supports a unified internal market across Member States.
What changes are being proposed in the Cosmetic Products Regulation evaluation?
While no formal legislative revision is underway yet, the evaluation explores potential updates to address environmental sustainability, digital labelling, and improved safety standards. Proposals under consideration include expanding scope to cover environmental risks, strengthening rules on online sales, and simplifying compliance for SMEs through digital innovation.
Source basis: https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14433-Cosmetic-Products-Regulation-evaluation_en
The European Commission has launched a 12-week public consultation on the Cosmetic Products Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009), open until 28 July 2025. This evaluation is set to review the regulation’s effectiveness, relevance, and alignment with the EU’s green and digital priorities. Professionals across the chemical manufacturing value chain, including raw material suppliers, formulators, distributors, and compliance officers, are encouraged to participate. The consultation may inform future revisions with broad implications for regulatory compliance, sustainability practices, and market access.
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.
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