Legislation

Europe is a world leader in the cosmetics industry and dominant cosmetics exporter. The sector is highly innovative and provides significant employment in Europe. The EU’s involvement mainly concerns the regulatory framework for market access, international trade relations, and regulatory convergence. These all aim to ensure the highest level of consumer safety while promoting the innovation and the competitiveness of this sector.

Cosmetics legislation at EU level also:

  • requires that all products to be marketed in the EU must be registered in the Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP) before being placed on the market
  • requires that some cosmetic products are given special attention from regulators due to their scientific complexity or higher potential risk to consumer health
  • ensures that there is a ban on animal testing for cosmetic purposes
  • makes EU countries responsible for market surveillance at national level

EU Regulations have general application, they are binding in their entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Alongside the EU legal framework, each Member State has its national legislation that transposes certain requirements of EU legal acts.

General information
European regulations
Reports and guidelines