The label is one of the fundamental parts of the cosmetic product. It is the element that allows the consumer to know what is inside the product, what precautions to take for its use and how long the product can be used safely.
The information to be reported on the label is listed in Article 19 of Regulation (EC) 1223/2009.
This information must be reported on the container and packaging of the product in indelible, easily legible and visible characters. The language of the information shall be determined by the law of the Member States in which the product is made available to the end user.
Information required on the label
– name or registered name and the address of the responsible person.
If several names (e.g. name of the actual manufacturer of the product and name of the responsible person) or addresses are reported on the label, the one where the responsible person makes readily available the product information file shall be highlighted. Usually, to highlight it, it is reported in bold or underlined name to distinguish it from the others. In the case of an imported product, the country of origin must also be present.
– nominal content at the time of packaging.
The content value must be reported by weight or volume (e.g. 5 ml or 5 g).
– date of minimum durability.
It is the date until which the cosmetic product, stored in suitable conditions, will continue to perform its initial function and will remain safe for human health.
The date of minimum duration is shown next to the special symbol in point 3 of Annex VII or by the words: “best used before the end of”.
It is not necessary to report the date for products with a minimum duration of more than 30 months, but in those products shall be r
eported the Period After Opening (PAO), i.e. the period of time (expressed in months or years) after opening in which the product is still considered safe for human health. The PAO is shown together with the symbol in point 2 of Annex VII. The PAO is not necessary for disposable products or products that do not come into contact with the external environment.
– special precautions for use.
Those indicated in Annexes III and IV, any precautions for professional use and those indicated by the safety assessor within the PIF must necessarily be reported
– batch number.
or in any case a reference that allows to identify the product.
– function of the cosmetic product
unless it is clear from its presentation.
– list of ingredients.
The ingredients must be reported in descending order of weight at the time of incorporation into the finished product. Ingredients with a concentration of less than 1% can be listed in no particular order. The ingredients must be reported according to INCI nomenclature, except for the aromatic and odorant compounds that can be reported with the names “parfum” or “aroma” and the colouring compounds that must be reported with their Color Index number. For decorative cosmetic products marketed in several colour shades, all colorants other than colorants intended to colour the hair used in the range may be listed, provided that the words ‘may contain’ or the symbol “+/-” are added. Nanomaterials must be accompanied by the word “nano” in brackets.
What to do if a label cannot be applied to the product
If for practical reasons it is not possible label the list of ingredients and the special precautions for use, the information shall be mentioned on an enclosed or attached leaflet, label, tape, tag or card. The consumer must be referred to these indications applying the symbol in point 1 of Annex VII on the label
In the case of soap, bath balls and other small products where it is impossible for practical reasons for the information about list of ingredients to appear on a label, tag, tape or card or in an enclosed leaflet, this information shall appear on a notice in immediate proximity to the container in which the cosmetic product is exposed for sale.
– CLP and cosmetic label
Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 does not apply to cosmetic products, therefore hazard pictograms must not be applied on the label of cosmetic products. Sprays with propellant are an exception, as the propellant is subject to the aerosol directive (75/324/EEC). Therefore, on this type of products, the pictogram indicating flammability and other symbols may be requested.
In conclusion.
As cited above, label is one of the fundamental parts of the cosmetic product, within PIF. The label allows the consumer to use the product in a conscious way and avoid inappropriate and dangerous uses. Like every request of the Regulation 1223/2009, is responsibility of the responsible person to ensure that all information is correctly reported on the label.
Form more informations:
Regulation (EC) 1223/2009:
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32009R1223&from=it
Council Directive (75/324/EEC) :
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:31975L0324&from=IT
Ministero della Salute: