LAS VEGAS—Manufacturers who design cosmetic products for the European market need to carefully review newly drafted regulations for the category. That was the core of the message presented today at SupplySide West 2010 in a session from David H. Bechtel, Ph.D., vice president, Cantox U.S., Inc., entitled “Compliance Requirements for the Pending Recast of European Union Regulation Governing Cosmetic Products."
The new guide standardizes how cosmetics are regulated across Europe and will go into full effect by 2013. As Bechtel noted, some key changes to the regulations include a complete ban on all animal testing, as well as the requirement for an EU-based “responsible person," the individual that—if something were to go wrong—is the “go to jail person," he said. Another key point within the regulations is a specific definition for products in the cosmeceutical category—something that doesn’t exist in the United States. He recommended that manufacturers exporting to, or working in, Europe “be very careful" how they use that term.
The new body of regulations will also include a glossary of terms for common cosmetic ingredients, an ongoing effort that will standardize how ingredient statements on cosmetic products are worded.
Bechtel emphasized that his goal for the session was for attendees “to see what you’re up against." Although temporary grandfather clauses exist for products already on the market—giving manufacturers a window of time to get their wares up to speed—any new products must comply with the regulations.