19 November 2008: 9.40–10.40

The Cosmetics Directive – All Change Please?

Dr Emma Meredith, The Cosmetic, Toiletries & Perfumery Association

The EU Cosmetics Directive was first instigated in 1976 and following 7 major Amendments and over 40 Adaptations it has become an unwieldy beast. As part of the European Commission's drive for 'Better Regulation' the Directive is currently undergoing a major review. Although originally termed the 'Simplification' of the Cosmetics Directive, the process is now being known as the Re-cast! It is a major overhaul of the Directive, and the main difference will be that the Directive will become a Regulation. This means that the Regulation will be a law in its own right in each member state with no requirement for transposition into each member states' law and therefore no possible deviation from the text. However any changes that do occur will have to be correct, because the text will be directly applicable. The Commission launched a public consultation on the simplification of the Cosmetics Directive in January 2007 and in February 2008 the final proposed text entered the Co-decision process at the European Parliament and Council.

What will this mean for the industry? The need to manufacture and market safe cosmetics and personal care products will of course remain; but what are the proposed changes to the cosmetics legislation and how will they affect raw material suppliers, formulators, manufacturers, safety assessors and marketers?

Learning outcomes:
• The major proposed changes to EU cosmetics legislation.
• Where we are in the Co-decision process at the Commission.
• Implications of the new Cosmetics Regulation for industry.
• Timescale for implementation.