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What exactly is a Responsible Person?

Who may be the Responsible Person?

  1. The EU manufacturer OR the ‘person’ designated by written mandate by the EU/non EU manufacturer
    “For a cosmetic product manufactured within the Community, and not subsequently exported and imported back into the Community, the manufacturer established within the Community shall be the responsible person. The manufacturer may designate, by written mandate, a person established within the Community as the responsible person who shall accept in writing.” (Art. 4.3., 1223/2009/EC, L 342/65-66, 22.12.2009)
    “Where, for a cosmetic product manufactured within the Community, and not subsequently exported and imported back into the Community, the manufacturer is established outside the Community, he shall designate, by written mandate, a person who shall accept in writing.”
    (Art. 4.4., 1223/2009/EC, L 342/66, 22.12.2009)
  2. The EU importer OR the ‘person’ designated by written mandate by the importer
    “For an imported cosmetic product, each importer shall be the responsible person for the specific cosmetic product he places on the market. The importer may, by written mandate, designate a person established within the Community as the responsible person who shall accept in writing.” (Art. 4.5., 1223/2009/EC, L 342/66, 22.12.2009)
  3. The distributor
    “The distributor shall be the responsible person where he places a cosmetic product on the market under his name or trademark or modifies a product already placed on the market in such a way that compliance with the applicable requirements may be affected.” (Art. 4.6., 1223/2009/EC, L 342/66, 22.12.2009)

Roles & Duties

By the Regulation 1223/2009/EC, the Responsible person (RP) shall ensure compliance with:

1. Article 3.: Safety
“A cosmetic product made available on the market shall be safe for human health when used under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use, taking account, in particular, of the following:

  1. presentation 87/357/EEC;
  2. labeling;
  3. instructions for use and disposal;
  4. any other indication or information provided by the responsible person defined in Article 4. The provision of warnings shall not exempt persons defined in Articles 2 and 4 from compliance with the other requirements laid down in this Regulation.”
    (Art. 3., 1223/2009/EC, L 342/65, 22.12.2009) The RP shall insure that a cosmetic product placed on the market is “safe for human health when used under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use”.

2. Article 5.: Obligations of responsible persons
“Responsible persons shall ensure compliance with Articles 3, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, Article 19(1),(2) and (5), as well as Articles 20, 21, 23 and 24.

  1. Responsible persons who consider or have reason to believe that a cosmetic product which they have placed on the market is not in conformity with this Regulation shall immediately take the corrective measures necessary to bring that product into conformity, withdraw it or recall it, as appropriate.
    Furthermore, where the cosmetic product presents a risk to human health, responsible persons shall immediately inform the competent national authorities of the Member States in which they made the product available and of the Member State in which the product information file is readily accessible, giving details, in particular, of the non-compliance and of the corrective measures taken.
  2. Responsible persons shall cooperate with these authorities, at the request of the latter, on any action to eliminate the risks posed by cosmetic products which they have made available on the market. In particular, responsible persons shall, further to a reasoned request from a competent national authority, provide it with all the information and documentation necessary to demonstrate the conformity of specific aspects of the product, in a language which can be easily understood by that authority.” (Art. 5., 1223/2009/EC, L 342/65, 22.12.2009)
  3. Responsible persons who consider or have reason to believe that a product which they have placed on the market is not in conformity with this Regulation shall immediately take the necessary corrective measures to bring that product into conformity or withdraw it from the market and recall it, if appropriate.

3. Article 8: Good manufacturing practice
“The manufacture of cosmetic products shall comply with good manufacturing practice with a view to ensuring the objectives of Article 11. Compliance with good manufacturing practice shall be presumed where the manufacture is in accordance with the relevant harmonized standards, the references of which have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union.” (Art. 8., 1223/2009/EC, L 342/67, 22.12.2009)

4. Article 10: Safety Assessment
“In order to demonstrate that a cosmetic product complies with Article 3, the responsible person shall, prior to placing a cosmetic product on the market, ensure that the cosmetic product has undergone a safety assessment on the basis of the relevant information and that a cosmetic product safety report is set up in accordance with Annex I.
The responsible person shall ensure that:

  1. the intended use of the cosmetic product and the anticipated systemic exposure to individual ingredients in a final formulation are taken into account in the safety assessment;
  2. an appropriate weight-of-evidence approach is used in the safety assessment for reviewing data from all existing sources;
  3. the cosmetic product safety report is kept up to date in view of additional relevant information generated subsequent to placing the product on the market.

The first subparagraph shall also apply to cosmetic products that have been notified under Directive 76/768/EEC.

The Commission, in close cooperation with all stakeholders, shall adopt appropriate guidelines to enable undertakings, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises, to comply with the requirements laid down in Annex I. Those guidelines shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure referred to in Article 32(2).

  1. The cosmetic product safety assessment, as set out in Part B of Annex  I shall be carried out by a person in possession of a diploma or other evidence of formal qualifications awarded on completion of a university course of theoretical and practical study in pharmacy, toxicology, medicine or a similar discipline, or a course recognised as equivalent by a Member State.
  2. Non-clinical safety studies referred to in the safety assessment according to paragraph 1 and carried out after 30 June 1988 for the purpose of assessing the safety of a cosmetic product shall comply with Community legislation on the principles of good laboratory practice, as applicable at the time of performance of the study, or with other international standards recognised as being equivalent by the Commission or the ECHA.”
    (Art. 10., 1223/2009/EC, L 342/67, 22.12.2009)

    1. Product safety report has been carried out according to specification in Annex 1.
    2. Appropriate weight-of-evidence approach is used in safety assessment.
    3. Product safety assessment takes into account intended use of cosmetic product and systemic exposure to individual ingredient.
    4. Safety report is kept up-to-date in view of additional relevant information generated subsequent to placing the product on the market.

5. Article 11: Product information file

When a cosmetic product is placed on the market, the responsible person shall keep a product information file for it. The product information file shall be kept for a period of ten years  following the date on which the last batch of the cosmetic product was placed on the market.

  1. The product information file shall contain the following information and data which shall be updated as necessary:
    1. a description of the cosmetic product which enables the product information file to be clearly attributed to the cosmetic product;
      the cosmetic product safety report referred to in Article 10(1);
    2. a description of the method of manufacturing and a statement on compliance with good manufacturing practice referred to in Article 8;
    3. where justified by the nature or the effect of the cosmetic product, proof of the effect claimed for the cosmetic product;
    4. data on any animal testing performed by the manufacturer, his agents or suppliers, relating to the development or safety assessment of the cosmetic product or its ingredients, including any animal testing performed to meet the legislative or regulatory requirements of third countries.
  2. The responsible person shall make the product information file readily accessible in electronic or other format at his address indicated on the label to the competent authority of the Member State in which the file is kept.
    The information contained in the product information file shall be available in a language which can be easily understood by the competent authorities of the Member State.
  3. The requirements provided in paragraphs 1 to 3 of this Article shall also apply to cosmetic products that have been notified under Directive 76/768/EEC.
    (Art. 11., 1223/2009/EC, L 342/67-68, 22.12.2009)

    • Ensure to keep the PIF during a period of 10 years after last batch manufactured.
    • Ensure that all data is updated when necessary.
    • Make the PIF readily accessible in electronic or other format at his address indicated on the label to the competent authority of the Member State in which the file is kept.
    • Ensure PIF shall be available in a language which can be easily understood by the competent authorities of the Member State.

6. Article 12: Sampling and analysis
“Sampling and analysis of cosmetic products shall be performed in a reliable and reproducible manner.

  1. In the absence of any applicable Community legislation, reliability and reproducibility shall be presumed if the method used is in accordance with the relevant harmonised standards, the references of which have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union.”
    (Art. 12, 1223/2009/EC, L 342/68, 22.12.2009)

    • The RP shall ensure compliance with sampling and analysis: reliable and reproducible.

7. Article 13: Notification
“Prior to placing the cosmetic product on the market the responsible person shall submit, by electronic means, the following information to the Commission:

  • the category of cosmetic product and its name or names, enabling its specific identification;
  • the name and address of the responsible person where the product information file is made readily accessible;
  • the country of origin in the case of import;
  • the Member State in which the cosmetic product is to be placed on the market;
  • the contact details of a physical person to contact in the case of necessity;
  • the presence of substances in the form of nanomaterials and:
    1. their identification including the chemical name (IUPAC) and other descriptors as specified in point 2 of the Preamble to Annexes II to VI to this Regulation;
    2. the reasonably foreseeable exposure conditions;
    3. the name and the Chemicals Abstracts Service (CAS) or EC number of substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR), of category 1A or 1B, under Part 3 of Annex VI to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008;
    4. the frame formulation allowing for prompt and appropriate medical treatment in the event of difficulties.
  • The first subparagraph shall also apply to cosmetic products notified under Directive 76/768/EEC.
    1. When the cosmetic product is placed on the market, the responsible person shall notify to the Commission the original labelling, and, where reasonably legible, a photograph of the corresponding packaging.
    2. As from 11 July 2013, a distributor who makes available in a Member State a cosmetic product already placed on the market in another Member State and translates, on his own initiative, any element of the labelling of that product in order to comply with national law, shall submit, by electronic means, the following information to the Commission:
      • the category of cosmetic product, its name in the Member State of dispatch and its name in the Member State in which it is made available, enabling its specific identification;
      • the Member State in which the cosmetic product is made available;
      • his name and address;
      • the name and address of the responsible person where the product information file is made readily accessible.
    3. Where a cosmetic product has been placed on the market before 11  July 2013 but is no longer placed on the market as from that date, and a distributor introduces that product in a Member State after that date, that distributor shall communicate the following to the responsible person:
      • the category of cosmetic product, its name in the Member State of dispatch and its name in the Member State in which it is made available, enabling its specific identification;
      • the Member State in which the cosmetic product is made available;
      • his name and address.
        On the basis of that communication, the responsible person shall submit to the Commission, by electronic means, the information referred to in paragraph  1 of this Article, where notifications according to Article  7(3) and Article  7a (4) of Directive 76/768/EEC have not been carried out in the Member State in which the cosmetic product is made available.
    4. The Commission shall, without delay, make the information referred to in points (a) to (g) of paragraph 1, and in paragraphs 2 and 3 available electronically to all competent authorities. That information may be used by competent authorities only for the purposes of market surveillance, market analysis, evaluation and consumer information in the context of Articles 25, 26 and 27.
    5. The Commission shall, without delay, make the information referred to in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 available electronically to poison centres or similar bodies, where such centres or bodies have been established by Member States. That information may be used by those bodies only for the purposes of medical treatment.
    6. Where any of the information set out in paragraphs 1, 3 and 4 changes, the responsible person or the distributor shall provide an update without delay.
    7. The Commission may, taking into account technical and scientific progress and specific needs related to market surveillance, amend paragraphs 1 to 7 by adding requirements.
      Those measures, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 32(3).” (Art. 13, 1223/2009/EC, L 342/68-69, 22.12.2009)

      • Prior to placing the cosmetic product on the market the RP shall submit, through electronic means, information (related to the product) to the Commission.

8. Article 14: Restrictions for substances listed in the Annexes
“Without prejudice to Article 3, cosmetic products shall not contain any of the following:

  • prohibited substances
    • prohibited substances listed in Annex II;
  • restricted substances
    • restricted substances which are not used in accordance with the restrictions laid down in Annex III;
  • colorants
    • colorants other than those listed in Annex IV and colorants which are listed there but not used in accordance with the conditions laid down in that Annex, except for hair colouring products referred to in paragraph 2;
    • without prejudice to points  (b), (d)(i) and  (e)(i), substances which are listed in Annex IV but which are not intended to be used as colorants, and which are not used in accordance with the conditions laid down in that Annex;
  • preservatives
    • preservatives other than those listed in Annex V and preservatives which are listed there but not used in accordance with the conditions laid down in that Annex;
    • without prejudice to points  (b), (c)(i) and  (e)(i), substances listed in Annex V but which are not intended to be used as preservatives, and which are not used in accordance with the conditions laid down in that Annex;
  • UV-filters
    • UV-filters other than those listed in Annex VI and UV-filters which are listed there but not used in accord ance with the conditions laid down in that Annex;
    • without prejudice to points  (b), (c)(i) and  (d)(i), sub stances listed in Annex VI but which are not intended to be used as UV-filters and which are not used in accor dance with the conditions laid down in that Annex.
      1. Subject to a decision of the Commission to extend the scope of Annex IV to hair colouring products, such products shall not contain colorants intended to colour the hair, other than those listed in Annex IV and colorants intended to colour the hair which are listed there but not used in accordance with the conditions laid down in that Annex.
      The decision of the Commission referred to in the first subparagraph, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 32(3).” (Art. 14., 1223/2009/EC, L 342/69, 22.12.2009)
      * The RP shall ensure cosmetic products do not contain the restricted substances as mentioned in the Regulation 1223/2009 and annexes.

9. Article 15: Substances classified as CMR substances
The use in cosmetic products of substances classified as CMR substances, of category 2, under Part 3 of Annex VI to Regulation (EC) No  1272/2008 shall be prohibited. However, a substance classified in category 2 may be used in cosmetic products where the substance has been evaluated by the SCCS and found safe for use in cosmetic products. To these ends the Commission shall adopt the necessary measures in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 32(3) of this Regulation.

  1. The use in cosmetic products of substances classified as CMR substances, of category 1A or 1B under Part 3 of Annex VI to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 shall be prohibited.
    However, such substances may be used in cosmetic products by way of exception where, subsequent to their classification as CMR substances of category  1A or  1B under Part 3 of Annex  VI to Regulation (EC) No  1272/2008, all of the following conditions are fulfilled:
    0. they comply with the food safety requirements as defined in Regulation (EC) No  178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety (1);

    1. there are no suitable alternative substances available, as documented in an analysis of alternatives;
    2. the application is made for a particular use of the product category with a known exposure; and
    3. they have been evaluated and found safe by the SCCS for use in cosmetic products, in particular in view of exposure to these products and taking into consideration the overall exposure from other sources, taking particular account of vulnerable population groups.
      Specific labelling in order to avoid misuse of the cosmetic product shall be provided in accordance with Article 3 of this Regulation, taking into account possible risks linked to the presence of hazardous substances and the routes of exposure.
      In order to implement this paragraph, the Commission shall amend the Annexes to this Regulation in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 32(3) of this Regulation within 15 months of the inclusion of the substances concerned in Part 3 of Annex  VI to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.
      On imperative grounds of urgency, the Commission may use the urgency procedure referred to in Article 32(4) of this Regulation.
      The Commission shall mandate the SCCS to re-evaluate those substances as soon as safety concerns arise, and at the latest five years after their inclusion in Annexes III to VI to this Regulation, and at least every subsequent five years.
  2. By 11  January 2012, the Commission shall ensure that appropriate guidance is developed with the aim of enabling a harmonised approach to the development and use of overall exposure estimates in assessing the safe use of CMR substances. This guidance shall be developed in consultation with the SCCS, the ECHA, the EFSA and other relevant stakeholders, drawing, as appropriate, on relevant best practice.
  3. When Community or internationally agreed criteria for identifying substances with endocrine-disrupting properties are available, or at the latest on 11  January 2015, the Commission shall review this Regulation with regard to substances with endocrine-disrupting properties. (Art. 15., 1223/2009/EC, L 342/69-70, 22.12.2009)

10. Article 16: Nanomaterials
For every cosmetic product that contains nanomaterials, a high level of protection of human health shall be ensured.

  1. The provisions of this Article do not apply to nanomaterials used as colorants, UV-filters or preservatives regulated under Article 14, unless expressly specified.
  2. In addition to the notification under Article  13, cosmetic products containing nanomaterials shall be notified to the Commission by the responsible person by electronic means six months prior to being placed on the market, except where they have already been placed on the market by the same responsible person before 11 January 2013.
    In the latter case, cosmetic products containing nanomaterials placed on the market shall be notified to the Commission by the responsible person between 11 January 2013 and 11 July 2013 by electronic means, in addition to the notification in Article 13.
    The first and the second subparagraphs shall not apply to cosmetic products containing nanomaterials that are in conformity with the requirements set out in Annex III. The information notified to the Commission shall contain at least the following:

    1. the identification of the nanomaterial including its chemical name (IUPAC) and other descriptors as specified in point  2 of the Preamble to Annexes II to VI;
    2. the specification of the nanomaterial including size of particles, physical and chemical properties;
    3. an estimate of the quantity of nanomaterial contained in cosmetic products intended to be placed on the market per year;
    4. the toxicological profile of the nanomaterial;
    5. the safety data of the nanomaterial relating to the category of cosmetic product, as used in such products;
      The responsible person may designate another legal or natural person by written mandate for the notification of nanomaterials and shall inform the Commission thereof.
      The Commission shall provide a reference number for the submission of the toxicological profile, which may substitute the information to be notified under point (d).
  3. In the event that the Commission has concerns regarding the safety of a nanomaterial, the Commission shall, without delay, request the SCCS to give its opinion on the safety of such nanomaterial for use in the relevant categories of cosmetic products and on the reasonably foreseeable exposure conditions. The Commission shall make this information public. The SCCS shall deliver its opinion within six months of the Commission’s request. Where the SCCS finds that any necessary data is lacking, the Commission shall request the responsible person to provide such data within an explicitly stated reasonable time, which shall not be extended. The SCCS shall deliver its final opinion within six months of submission of additional data. The opinion of the SCCS shall be made publicly available.
  4. The Commission may, at any time, invoke the procedure in paragraph 4 where it has any safety concerns, for example due to new information supplied by a third party.
  5. Taking into account the opinion of the SCCS, and where there is a potential risk to human health, including when there is insufficient data, the Commission may amend Annexes II and III.
  6. The Commission may, taking into account technical and scientific progress, amend paragraph 3 by adding requirements.
  7. The measures, referred to in paragraphs  6 and  7, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 32(3).
  8. On imperative grounds of urgency the Commission may use the procedure referred to in Article 32(4).
  9. The following information shall be made available by the Commission:
    1. By 11 January 2014, the Commission shall make available a catalogue of all nanomaterials used in cosmetic products placed on the market, including those used as colorants, UV-filters and preservatives in a separate section, indicating the categories of cosmetic products and the reasonably foreseeable exposure conditions. This catalogue shall be regularly updated thereafter and be made publicly available.
    2. The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and the Council an annual status report, which will give information on developments in the use of nanomaterials in cosmetic products within the Community, including those used as colorants, UV-filters and preservatives in a separate section. The first report shall be presented by 11 July 2014 The report update shall summarise, in particular, the new nanomaterials in new categories of cosmetic products, the number of notifications, the progress made in developing nano-specific assessment methods and safety assessment guides, and information on international cooperation programmes.
  10. The Commission shall regularly review the provisions of this Regulation concerning nanomaterials in the light of scientific progress and shall, where necessary, propose suitable amendments to those provisions.
    The first review shall be undertaken by 11 July 2018. (Art. 16., 1223/2009/EC, L 342/70-71, 22.12.2009)

    1. The RP shall ensure cosmetic products placed in the market do not contain these substances unless exceptions as mentioned in the Regulation 1223/2009 and annexes.

11. Article 17: Traces of prohibited substances
“The non-intended presence of a small quantity of a prohibited substance, stemming from impurities of natural or synthetic ingredients, the manufacturing process, storage, migration from packaging, which is technically unavoidable in good manufacturing practice, shall be permitted provided that such presence is in conformity with Article 3.” (Art. 17., 1223/2009/EC, L 342/71, 22.12.2009)

12. Article 18: Animal testing
Without prejudice to the general obligations deriving from Article 3, the following shall be prohibited:

  1. the placing on the market of cosmetic products where the final formulation, in order to meet the requirements of this Regulation, has been the subject of animal testing using a method other than an alternative method after such alternative method has been validated and adopted at Community level with due regard to the development of validation within the OECD;
  2. the placing on the market of cosmetic products containing ingredients or combinations of ingredients which, in order to meet the requirements of this Regulation, have been the subject of animal testing using a method other than an alternative method after such alternative method has been validated and adopted at Community level with due regard to the development of validation within the OECD;
  3. the performance within the Community of animal testing of finished cosmetic products in order to meet the requirements of this Regulation;
  4. the performance within the Community of animal testing of ingredients or combinations of ingredients in order to meet the requirements of this Regulation, after the date on which such tests are required to be replaced by one or more validated alternative methods listed in Commission Regulation (EC) No 440/2008 of 30 May 2008 laying down test methods pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) (1) or in Annex VIII to this Regulation.

The Commission, after consulting the SCCS and the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) and with due regard to the development of validation within the OECD, has established timetables for the implementation of the provisions under points (a), (b) and (d) of paragraph 1, including deadlines for the phasing-out of the various tests. The timetables were made available to the public on 1 October 2004 and sent to the European Parliament and the Council. The period for implementation was limited to 11 March 2009 in relation to points (a), (b) and (d) of paragraph 1.
In relation to the tests concerning repeated-dose toxicity, reproductive toxicity and toxicokinetics, for which there are no alternatives yet under consideration, the period for implementation of paragraph 1(a) and (b) shall be limited to 11 March 2013. The Commission shall study possible technical difficulties in complying with the ban in relation to tests, in particular those concerning repeated-dose toxicity, reproductive toxicity and toxicokinetics, for which there are no alternatives yet under consideration. Information about the provisional and final results of these studies forms part of the yearly reports presented pursuant to Article 35.
On the basis of these annual reports, the timetables established as referred to in the first subparagraph, could be adapted up to 11 March 2009 in relation to the first subparagraph and may be adapted up to  11  March 2013 in relation to the second subparagraph and after consultation of the entities referred to in the first subparagraph.
The Commission shall study progress and compliance with the deadlines as well as possible technical difficulties in complying with the ban. Information about the provisional and final results of the Commission studies forms part of the yearly reports presented pursuant to Article 35. If these studies conclude, at the latest two years prior to the end of the maximum period referred to in the second subparagraph, that for technical reasons one or more tests referred to in that subparagraph will not be developed and validated before the expiry of the period referred to therein it shall inform the European Parliament and the Council and shall put forward a legislative proposal in accordance with Article 251 of the Treaty.
In exceptional circumstances, where serious concerns arise as regards the safety of an existing cosmetic ingredient, a Member State may request the Commission to grant a derogation from paragraph 1. The request shall contain an evaluation of the situation and indicate the measures necessary. On this basis, the Commission may, after consulting the SCCS and by means of a reasoned decision, authorise the derogation. That authorization shall lay down the conditions associated with this derogation in terms of specific objectives, duration and reporting of the results.
A derogation shall be granted only where:

  1. the ingredient is in wide use and cannot be replaced by another ingredient capable of performing a similar function;
  2. the specific human health problem is substantiated and the need to conduct animal tests is justified and is supported by a detailed research protocol proposed as the basis for the evaluation.
    The decision on the authorisation, the conditions associated with it and the final result achieved shall be part of the annual report presented by the Commission in accordance with Article 35.
    The measures referred to in the sixth subparagraph, designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation, shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 32(3).
    For the purposes of this Article and Article 20:

    1. ‘finished cosmetic product’ means the cosmetic product in its final formulation, as placed on the market and made available to the end user, or its prototype;
    2. ‘prototype’ means a first model or design that has not been produced in batches, and from which the finished cosmetic product is copied or finally developed.
      (Art. 18., 1223/2009/EC, L 342/71-72, 22.12.2009)

13. Article 19: Labelling
“Without prejudice to other provisions in this Article, cosmetic products shall be made available on the market only where the container and packaging of cosmetic products bear the following information in indelible, easily legible and visible lettering:

  1. the name or registered name and the address of the responsible person. Such information may be abbreviated in so far as the abbreviation makes it possible to identify that person and his address. If several addresses are indicated, the one where the responsible person makes readily available the product information file shall be highlighted. The country of origin shall be specified for imported cosmetic products;
  2. the nominal content at the time of packaging, given by weight or by volume, except in the case of packaging containing less than five grams or five milliliters, free samples and single-application packs; for pre-packages normally sold as a number of items, for which details of weight or volume are not significant, the content need not be given provided the number of items appears on the packaging. This information need not be given if the number of items is easy to see from the outside or if the product is normally only sold individually;
  3. For the purpose of this Article, an ingredient means any substance or mixture intentionally used in the cosmetic product during the process of manufacturing. The following shall not, however, be regarded as ingredients:
    1. impurities in the raw materials used;
    2. subsidiary technical materials used in the mixture but not present in the final product.

Perfume and aromatic compositions and their raw materials shall be referred to by the terms ‘parfum’ or ‘aroma’. Moreover, the presence of substances, the mention of which is required under the column ‘Other’ in Annex III, shall be indicated in the list of ingredients in addition to the terms parfum or aroma.
The list of ingredients shall be established in descending order of weight of the ingredients at the time they are added to the cosmetic product. Ingredients in concentrations of less than 1 % may be listed in any order after those in concentrations of more than 1 %.
All ingredients present in the form of nanomaterials shall be clearly indicated in the list of ingredients. The names of such ingredients shall be followed by the word ‘nano’ in brackets.
Colorants other than colorants intended to colour the hair may be listed in any order after the other cosmetic ingredients. For decorative cosmetic products marketed in several colour shades, all colorants other than colorants intended to colour the hair used in the range may be listed, provided that the words ‘may contain’ or the symbol ‘+/-’ are added. The CI (Colour Index) nomenclature shall be used, where applicable.

Where it is impossible for practical reasons to label the information mentioned in points (d) and (g) of paragraph 1 as provided, the following applies:

    • the information shall be mentioned on an enclosed or attached leaflet, label, tape, tag or card;
    • unless impracticable, this information shall be referred to by abbreviated information or the symbol given in point  1 of Annex  VII, which must appear on the container or packaging for the information referred in point  (d) of paragraph  1 and on packaging for the information referred in point (g) of paragraph 1.
    • In the case of soap, bath balls and other small products where it is impossible for practical reasons for the information referred to in point  (g) of paragraph  1 to appear on a label, tag, tape or card or in an enclosed leaflet, this information shall appear on a notice in immediate proximity to the container in which the cosmetic product is exposed for sale.
      3. For cosmetic products that are not pre-packaged, are packaged at the point of sale at the purchaser’s request, or are prepackaged for immediate sale, Member States shall adopt detailed rules for indication of the information referred to in paragraph 1.
      4. The language of the information mentioned in points  (b), (c), (d) and  (f) of paragraph  1 and in paragraphs  (2), (3) and  (4) shall be determined by the law of the Member States in which the product is made available to the end user.
      5. The information mentioned in point (g) of paragraph 1 shall be expressed by using the common ingredient name set out in the glossary provided for in Article 33. In the absence of a common ingredient name, a term as contained in a generally accepted nomenclature shall be used.”
      (Art. 19., 1223/2009/EC, L 342/72-74, 22.12.2009)
      o The RP shall ensure compliance with labeling requirements. Cosmetic products shall only be made available on the market if the container and packaging bear the obligatory information including language requirements.

14. Article 20: Product claims
“In the labelling, making available on the market and advertising of cosmetic products, text, names, trademarks, pictures and figurative or other signs shall not be used to imply that these products have characteristics or functions which they do not have.

  1. The Commission shall, in cooperation with Member States, establish an action plan regarding claims used and fix priorities for determining common criteria justifying the use of a claim.
    After consulting the SCCS or other relevant authorities, the Commission shall adopt a list of common criteria for claims which may be used in respect of cosmetic products, in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 32(3) of this Regulation, taking into account the provisions of Directive 2005/29/EC.
    By 11 July 2016, the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and the Council a report regarding the use of claims on the basis of the common criteria adopted under the second subparagraph. If the report concludes that claims used in respect of cosmetic products are not in conformity with the common criteria, the Commission shall take appropriate measures to ensure compliance in cooperation with the Member States.
  2. The responsible person may refer, on the product packaging or in any document, notice, label, ring or collar accompanying or referring to the cosmetic product, to the fact that no animal tests have been carried out only if the manufacturer and his suppliers have not carried out or commissioned any animal tests on the finished cosmetic product, or its prototype, or any of the ingredients contained in it, or used any ingredients that have been tested on animals by others for the purpose of developing new cosmetic products.”
    (Art. 20., 1223/2009/EC, L 342/74, 22.12.2009)
  3. The RP shall ensure cosmetic products’ labeling, making available on the market and advertising of cosmetic products, text, names, trademarks, pictures and figurative or other signs shall not be used to imply that these products have characteristics or functions which they do not have.

15. Article 21: Access to information for the public
“Without prejudice to the protection, in particular, of commercial secrecy and of intellectual property rights, the responsible person shall ensure that the qualitative and quantitative composition of the cosmetic product and, in the case of perfume and aromatic compositions, the name and code number of the composition and the identity of the supplier, as well as existing data on undesirable effects and serious undesirable effects resulting from use of the cosmetic product are made easily accessible to the public by any appropriate means.
The quantitative information regarding composition of the cosmetic product required to be made publicly accessible shall be limited to hazardous substances in accordance with Article  3 of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.”
(Art. 21., 1223/2009/EC, L 342/74, 22.12.2009)

16. Article 23: Communication of serious undesirable effects
“In the event of serious undesirable effects, the responsible person and distributors shall without delay notify the following to the competent authority of the Member State where the serious undesirable effect occurred:

  1. all serious undesirable effects which are known to him or which may reasonably be expected to be known to him;
  2. the name of the cosmetic product concerned, enabling its specific identification;
  3. the corrective measures taken by him, if any.

Where the responsible person reports serious undesirable effects to the competent authority of the Member State where the effect occurred, that competent authority shall immediately transmit the information referred to in paragraph 1 to the competent authorities of the other Member States.

Where distributors report serious undesirable effects to the competent authority of the Member State where the effect occurred, that competent authority shall immediately transmit the information referred to in paragraph 1 to the competent authorities of the other Member States and to the responsible person.

Where end users or health professionals report serious undesirable effects to the competent authority of the Member State where the effect occurred, that competent authority shall immediately transmit the information on the cosmetic product concerned to the competent authorities of the other Member States and to the responsible person.

Competent authorities may use the information referred to in this Article for the purposes of in-market surveillance, market analysis, evaluation and consumer information in the context of Articles 25, 26 and 27.”
(Art. 23., 1223/2009/EC, L 342/74-75, 22.12.2009)
RP shall ensure they or the distributors shall without delay notify serious undesirable effect that occurred to competent authority of the Member State involved.

17. Article 24: Information on substances
“In the event of serious doubt regarding the safety of any substance contained in cosmetic products, the competent authority of a Member State in which a product containing such a substance is made available on the market may by reasoned request require the responsible person to submit a list of all cosmetic products for which he is responsible and which contain this substance. The list shall indicate the concentration of this substance in the cosmetic products.
Competent authorities may use the information referred to in this Article for the purposes of in-market surveillance, market analysis, evaluation and consumer information in the context of Articles 25, 26 and 27.”
(Art. 24., 1223/2009/EC, L 342/75, 22.12.2009)