EU Cosmetics Regulation update
European Commission Launches Evaluation of Cosmetics Safety Rules
EU Cosmetics Regulation update. The European Commission has initiated a comprehensive evaluation of the Cosmetics Products Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009). This will be the first full review since its implementation in 2013. This long-awaited assessment aims to determine whether current safety measures are sufficient to protect consumers from potentially harmful ingredients in cosmetic products. The review comes amid growing concerns about the safety of certain chemicals used in cosmetics and their potential health impacts.
The evaluation process began with a call for evidence open until 21 March. Stakeholders have been invited to provide input on the regulation’s effectiveness. This will be followed by a 12-week public consultation in the second quarter of 2025 (the whole evaluation process will run from Q2 2025 to Q2 2026).
First of all, CCAA will be seeking feedback from manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, regulators, and consumer organizations. The goal is to gather diverse perspectives to ensure the regulation remains robust and responsive to emerging scientific evidence and market trends. The evaluation will assess the impact, effectiveness, and potential shortcomings of the Regulation across several key areas:
- Consumer Safety and Ingredient Risk Assessment – The review will focus on the current risk assessment framework to ensure that ingredients posing higher risks are adequately regulated and managed.
- Labelling and Digitalization – The evaluation will explore the potential for digital labelling solutions and determine whether existing information requirements are still appropriate in today’s market.
- Market Surveillance and Online Sales – The review will address challenges related to e-commerce, bulk sales, and cross-border trade, ensuring that safety standards are maintained in an increasingly digital marketplace.
- Environmental Considerations – The assessment will consider whether the Regulation should be expanded to address the environmental impact of chemicals used in cosmetic products.
- International Competitiveness and Trade – The evaluation will analyze how the EU’s regulations align with global standards, aiming to facilitate smoother international trade and maintain the competitiveness of European businesses.
- Administrative Burden and Regulatory Simplification – The review will identify ways to streamline compliance processes, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to reduce unnecessary costs and administrative complexity.
The 2013 regulation established stringent safety requirements for cosmetic products, including a ban on animal testing and mandatory safety assessments for all ingredients. However, advancements in scientific research and the introduction of new chemicals have prompted calls for stricter oversight. Concerns have been raised about endocrine-disrupting chemicals, nanomaterials, and allergens, which may pose risks to human health and the environment.
EU Cosmetics Regulation update. The review will also assess the regulation’s alignment with the European Green Deal and the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability.
The review will also assess the regulation’s alignment with the European Green Deal and the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, which aim to promote safer and more sustainable products. As a result, stakeholders hope the evaluation will lead to enhanced transparency, better consumer protection, and clearer guidelines for manufacturers.
As the cosmetics industry continues to grow, this evaluation represents a critical step in ensuring that EU regulations keep pace with scientific developments and evolving consumer expectations. Obviously, the outcome could shape the future of cosmetic safety standards in Europe. In addition, this could prompt a global reassessment of regulatory standards, given the EU’s influential role in establishing regulatory benchmarks.
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Source: European Parlamient
