EU: Cosmetics – glossary of common ingredient names for use

 

The EU has published a Draft Commission Implementing Decision laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 as regards the glossary of common ingredient names for use in the labelling of cosmetic products.

Arrière-plan:

Article 19(1)(g) of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 mandates that cosmetic product labels include a list of ingredients, using common ingredient names specified in a glossary compiled and updated by the Commission under Article 33 of the Regulation. This glossary must align with internationally recognized nomenclatures, such as the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI).

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/677 established this glossary, but significant amendments are needed to incorporate new ingredient names currently used in cosmetic products within the EU. To ensure clarity, Decision (EU) 2022/677 will be replaced.

In updating the glossary, the Commission has primarily relied on newly published INCI names from the Personal Care Product Council. Additionally, it has corrected errors, removed outdated reference names, and eliminated certain perfume and aromatic composition ingredients that are no longer used for cosmetic labeling or have been replaced by INCI names.

For colorants (excluding those used for hair dyeing), Article 19(1)(g) of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 requires the use of the Colour Index (CI) nomenclature where applicable. Therefore, CI numbers will be listed as the common ingredient names for such colorants.

According to Article 33 of the Regulation, the updated glossary must be applied to cosmetic product labeling no later than 12 months after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. To ensure clarity and legal certainty, the implementation of this Decision will be deferred for 12 months, while allowing economic operators to adopt the new glossary immediately if they choose to do so.

To find out more about product compliance for cosmetics, please do not hesitate to contact the Product Compliance Institute.