Major Revision of the EU Cosmetics Regulation 2024: Strengthening Safety Regulation and Promoting Sustainable Development of the Industry
In 2024, the European Union (EU) has conducted a comprehensive revision of the cosmetics legislation, aiming to further strengthen the safety supervision of the cosmetics market, protect consumers' rights and interests, and promote the sustainable development of the cosmetics industry. The revision involves updating the list of banned substances, expanding product categorization, and setting up a transition period for the entry into force of the regulation, which has had a profound impact on cosmetic manufacturers and exporters around the world.
1. Updating the list of banned substances and restricted substances
The European Commission has issued a new regulation that makes important updates to the banned and restricted substances in cosmetics. Appendix II (List of Prohibited Substances) adds several new nanomaterials, while Appendix III (List of Restricted Substances) adds a new restriction on the use of hydroxyapatite (nano).
These updates aim to reduce the number of ingredients in cosmetic products that may pose a risk to human health and improve product safety.
Expansion of Product Classification and Regulatory Scope
The EU has explicitly classified two new categories of products for cosmetic regulation, including glues and adhesives used to secure items such as false nails, false eyelashes, and jewelry on teeth, as well as magnetic eyeliners. This move broadens the scope of application of cosmetics regulations and ensures the safety and compliance of emerging products on the market.
Regulation entry into force and transition period setup
For newly revised regulations, the EU has provided the industry with a reasonable transition period so that manufacturers can adjust formulations, update packaging and meet new regulatory requirements. For example, for the revision of the new list of allergens for flavors and fragrances, the EU has given the industry a transition period of 3-5 years.
2. Update of the Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC)
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has released a new Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) Candidate List with five new substances. These substances are closely related to the safety of cosmetics and cosmetic manufacturers need to pay close attention to ensure that their products do not contain these SVHCs.
Revision of Allergen Labeling for Fragrances and Fragrances
The European Union (EU) has revised the cosmetic regulations on the labeling of flavor and fragrance allergens and updated the list of flavor and fragrance allergens. This revision aims to improve consumers' right to know about possible allergens in cosmetics and to promote transparency in the cosmetics industry.
3. Impact and Outlook:
This revision of the EU cosmetics regulation has put higher demands on global cosmetics manufacturers and exporters. Manufacturers need to pay close attention to the latest developments in the regulations and make timely adjustments to product formulations and production processes to ensure compliance. At the same time, it also provides more opportunities for the industry to develop in a safer, more transparent and more sustainable direction.
For enterprises, cosmetic manufacturers exporting to the EU market should strengthen communication and cooperation with relevant EU agencies to understand and comply with the latest regulatory requirements. By improving product quality, strengthening technology research and development and brand building, Chinese cosmetic companies are expected to win more share and reputation in overseas markets.
The revision of the EU Cosmetics Regulation 2024 is an important milestone for the cosmetics industry. It not only strengthens the safety regulation and transparency of the cosmetics market, but also promotes the sustainable development of the industry. Chinese cosmetic enterprises should actively respond to the challenges and seize the opportunities to continuously improve their competitiveness and international influence.
Xi'an Hersoncare Bio-Tech Co., Ltd
