Labels on product packaging are not just about getting across your branding and product name. In fact, labels play a crucial part in ensuring compliance and user safety when using your product.
In this guide to beauty and cosmetic labelling requirements, our industry experts at Fillcon outline the related regulations, what information is required on labels and other ideas for labels.
Beauty and Cosmetic Labelling Regulations
Any company or person who distributes and sells cosmetic or beauty products are deemed ‘Responsible Persons’, in charge of ensuring products and labels are compliant. If found to be breaching regulations, individuals and businesses can face a maximum fine of £20,000 or even minimum 12-month prison sentence.
Products sold in the European Economic Area are covered by EC Regulation No. 1223/2009 on Cosmetics Products, law since 2013. Following Brexit this may change for UK businesses, so businesses are advised to remain up to date with developments. Additionally, if businesses trade in other places, it is important to check out local Trading Standards.
According to EU law, the regulation applies to any products within the cosmetics and beauty industry, described as:
“Any substance or mixture to be placed in contact with the external parts of the human body (epidermis, hair system, nails, lips and external genital organs) or with the teeth and the mucous membranes of the oral cavity with a view exclusively or mainly to cleaning them, perfuming them, changing their appearance, protecting them, keeping them in good condition or correcting body odours.”
Beauty and Cosmetic Labelling Requirements
Under Article 19 of the above regulation, labelling is explicitly mentioned. Information on beauty and cosmetic labels should be “inedible, easily legible and visible”.
The below aspects should be either on the outer product packaging or the product container, if there is no secondary packaging.
Beauty and cosmetics labels should include:
- The name and address of the company or individual (known as ‘Responsible Person’) and the country of origin if imported into the EU.
- The net content by weight or volume if more than five grams or millilitres.
- ‘Date of minimum durability’ if less than 30 months – longer lasting products should have an indication of how long they will last once opened plus any information on required storage conditions.
- Any precautionary information such as instructions for use or “avoid eye area”.
- Batch number for reference.
- The function of the product if it is not clear from its appearance.
- A list of ingredients under the word ‘ingredients’ in descending order of weight at the time they are added (they can go in any order if less than 1%).
If all the required information does not fit on the packaging label, alternatives can be used; attached leaflet or label, taped label, or an enclosed card. For products with no packaging at all, such as bath bombs, the required information should be shown on a board close to where the products are displayed.
There are additional regulations for perfume and aromatic compositions as well as nanomaterials and colorants. Ingredients should be listed using the ‘common ingredient name’ which is the INCI name (International Nomenclature for Cosmetic Ingredients). Full details of regulations and stipulations can be found online, for example here.
See more: How to Make Your Bottles Look Amazing
Labelling Symbols
The EU regulation states that the following symbols are to be used on labels:
- Reference to the enclosed or attached information
- The period after opening
- The ‘date of minimum durability’
It is also common to have recycling instructions on product packaging, even if not required by law. The ‘Green Dot’ is common to see on packaging in the EU and signifies the membership to a recycling and recovery scheme, however this isn’t always applicable to UK businesses.
As consumers become more environmentally aware of their impacts, having instructions on how to recycle the packaging is appreciated. Find out more about switching to eco-friendly cosmetic packaging.
Other symbols on beauty and cosmetic packaging that aren’t required by law but are often seen include the leaping bunny logo for products assessed by Cruelty Free International, icons for organic products to EU standards, or symbols to signify allergy tested and hypoallergenic products.
Learn More with Fillcon
Here at Fillcon we process and fill a variety of beauty and cosmetic goods at our advanced facilities just outside Bristol. Able to support businesses with filling services as well as advice and packaging help, we ensure your products and packaging are ready for consumers. Our focus is on quality and compliance, so we work with businesses to find the best solutions that meet legal and consumer expectations.
Specialising in cosmetics sampling solutions, Fillcon are the go-to supplier for beauty and cosmetic businesses. Get in touch to get started!
