Cosmetics

Cosmetic products/components

Some cosmetic products deserve special attention from regulatory authorities due to their scientific complexity or the higher potential risk to consumer health. However, the EU establishes rules for cosmetic products entering the European market to protect consumers,

Endocrine disruptors (ED)
ED are chemicals that may interfere with the hormonal system and, as a result of that, produce harmful effects in both humans and wildlife. A wide range of chemicals, both natural and man-made, may cause endocrine disruption. For this reason 
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​Hair dye products
Due to safety concerns related to using hair dye products, the European Commission put in place an overall safety assessment strategy for hair dye substances.

Sunscreen products
The efficacy of sunscreen products and the basis on which that efficacy is claimed are important public health issues. All UV filters used in cosmetic products placed on the EU market have to be assessed by the scientific committee for consumer safety and authorised by the Commission.

Nanotechnology
In cosmetic products, reference to 'nanotechnology' usually means the use of insoluble nanoparticles as ingredients. EU legislation provides a high level of protection of human health where nanomaterials are used in cosmetic products.

Toxic products
​Cosmetics legislation also contains provisions on using carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction substances (CMR substances) in cosmetic products. In general, the use of CMR substances is prohibited, except for in exceptional cases.

Borderline products
​Differences in regulatory frameworks can be particularly significant for 'borderline products'. The term 'borderline products' refers to products that may be difficult to classify into a product category, either in the same country or in different countries.

Preservatives
​The availability of a wide and safe range of preservatives is one of the key challenges to the cosmetics sector. Preservatives are ingredients/substances that have the ability to prevent or decrease microbial growth in a cosmetic, protecting them from contamination of microorganisms like bacteria and fungi, and prolonging the shelf-life of cosmetic products. Preservatives must undergo rigorous evaluation, including safety assessments and quality testing, to ensure that they are safe for use.