The European Commission (EC) has extended its list of prohibited carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR) chemicals in cosmetics following extensive consultations with its Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and other interested...
The Long Read: In Conversation with Unilever Safety & Environmental Assurance Centre (SEAC) executives
The beauty industry continues to be stuck between conflicting requirements on animal testing, with bans under the EU Cosmetics Regulation and new data calls under the European Chemical Agency’s (ECHA) REACH Regulation, and the scientific community is...
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published advice on how industry can reliably combine non-animal data from different sources to assess skin sensitisation of chemicals in the EU, using the new Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development...
A round-up of CosmeticsDesign-Europe’s most-read news from September 2021 shows interest in world beauty leaders creating a consortium to co-develop an environmental impact and scoring system, a new probiotic powder targeting psoriasis via the gut-skin...
A complete shift in the safety assessment of chemicals will be necessary if the EU is to uphold its ‘animal testing as a last resort’ policy under the European Chemicals Agency’s REACH regulation – a critical aspect to maintaining the wider cosmetics...
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have adopted a resolution vote calling on the European Commission to establish an EU-wide action plan to actively phase out animal experiments – a move that adds weight to the cosmetics industry’s fight to protect...
Industry must continue raising its concerns around the interface between ECHA and the Cosmetics Regulation on animal testing because there are issues that need to be debated and solutions found, says the director-general of Cosmetics Europe.
The Body Shop and Dove combining their scale and size brings a collective power to push forward calls to protect the EU’s existing animal testing ban on cosmetics, company executives say.
Unilever’s Dove and Natura &Co’s The Body Shop have joined forces alongside leading global animal protection groups to ramp up calls for the European Union to protect its ban on animal testing in cosmetics, unveiling a European Citizens’ Initiative...
A study has identified a number of EU cosmetic ingredients tested on animals since the Cosmetics Regulation ban; data largely collected to prove worker and environmental safety under REACH or because alternative testing methods were rejected, researchers...
Standing out in an increasingly competitive cosmetics market is often achieved with product claims, but brands and manufacturers must follow clear regulatory frameworks and closely monitor all digital activity - influencer content included.
In-depth insight from Cosmetics Europe Annual Conference (CEAC) 2021
The European Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability will lead industry towards a cleaner, toxic-free environment via innovation, prevention and consolidation of existing legal frameworks, with funding set to be released under the EU's Horizon programme,...
In-depth insight from Cosmetics Europe Annual Conference (CEAC) 2021
The European Green Deal will see plenty of strategies and legislation rolled out to slash carbon emissions, phase out harmful chemicals and drive circular business models, but there will be no major overhaul to the existing EU Cosmetics Regulation, according...
In-Depth Insight from Cosmetics Europe Annual Conference (CEAC) 2021
A five-year, industry-led global programme will launch next year aimed at driving and shaping future worldwide uptake and regulatory acceptance of non-animal testing alternatives in cosmetics.
The European Parliament and Council of the European Union will meet this month and next to adopt final positions on the upcoming European Climate Law that targets climate neutrality by 2050 and a 55% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
The European Commission’s Scientific Committee for Consumer Safety (SCCS) has issued scientific advice to lower the threshold for warning labels on cosmetics containing formaldehyde releasing substances to better protect sensitised consumers.
Special Edition: Beauty Tech - Advances in biotech, personalisation and usability
The cosmetics industry has significantly advanced in active ingredients and skin delivery systems over recent decades, but international standards and regulations are required as novel technologies continue to evolve, say researchers.
The European Commission’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability will lay important foundations for achieving European Green Deal goals, but it must consider the specificities of individual industries and value chains, say beauty and personal care industry...
Special edition: Clean & Ethical – ‘Better for you, better for the planet’ beauty
The clean and ethical beauty movement has garnered plenty of traction in recent years, fuelled by a plethora of environmental, societal, business and consumer factors, and CosmeticsDesign-Europe has been tracking this movement closely for some time.
The UK government has worked alongside the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) and wider beauty industry to digitally issue Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certificates that should enable the export of ‘ordinary’ goods to China without...
China-based CBD company Asia Horizon has suggested a few ‘straightforward’ ways China can go about regulating CBD cosmetics instead of implementing a blanket ban over the category.
The firm behind US-based CBD skin care brand BOTA, Balanced Health Botanicals, says it will no longer invest in the APAC after China announced its proposal to ban the use of cannabis and cannabis extracts in cosmetics.
Special Edition: Cannabis beauty - innovation and science in CBD and cannabinoids
Beauty manufacturers and formulators are highly interested in cannabis extracts but have not yet mastered global regulations, particularly those relating to ingredient sourcing and toxicology, says lab testing specialist Eurofins.
Stronger local connections and a proactive approach with regulators are some of the ways regulatory experts believe can help cosmetics regulation in Asia Pacific become as harmonised as possible.
An increasing emphasis on environmental issues will have a profound effect on the Asia Pacific cosmetics industry, said regulations experts, with the impact of policy changes in Europe likely to filter down to the region.
Imported ‘ordinary’ cosmetics will not be required to undergo animal testing from May 1 this year, China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has confirmed in its finalised regulations.
The European Commission’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability has the potential to set an example to the world if concrete actions and legislative proposals build it out into something meaningful over the coming years, says the Center for International...
The list of countries with animal testing bans in place for cosmetics is growing, but how close is industry to reaching the EU Parliament’s goal of a blanket global ban by 2023?
STATE OF THE INDUSTRY PART II: REFLECTING ON WHAT’S TO COME IN 2021
The European Green Deal will be the biggest policy challenge for the cosmetics and personal care industry in 2021, but industry must also focus on upcoming change around microplastics and digital services, says the director-general of Cosmetics Europe.
The British beauty industry has secured formal, sector-specific representation within the UK government’s Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) – a move industry leaders says finally gives the sector the spotlight it deserves.
France has become the first EU country to qualify for exemptions on animal testing for general-use cosmetics exported to China after its National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) developed a dedicated platform enabling manufacturers...
STATE OF THE INDUSTRY PART I: REFLECTING ON WHAT’S TO COME IN 2021
The cosmetics and personal care industry must continue its fight to get products recognised as essential to consumer lives in the coming year given ‘essentiality’ governs so many strategies set to be rolled out under the European Green Deal, says the...
The comment period on four preliminary safety opinions from the European Commission’s Scientific Committee for Consumer Safety (SCCS) addressing endocrine disruption and nano toxicity concerns has now closed.
UK and EU beauty brands and retailers will certainly face new challenges in a post-Brexit world, but there remain plenty of opportunities to flourish with the right strategy and focus, particularly online, says an executive at e-commerce specialist Global-e.
The level of non-compliance in Europe on required fragrance allergen labelling and declarations in beauty products is unsatisfactory and must change given the serious consumer health implications, says the Council of Europe’s European Directorate for...
Some cosmetic products sold in Europe still contain excessive levels of allergy-inducing fragrances when labelled and marketed as perfume-free, finds a study by the Council of Europe and its European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & Healthcare...
A coordinated approach amongst European Union policy makers that considers research, method and validation is needed for non-animal alternative cosmetic testing to fully replace animal data, says the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
The cosmetics industry has heavily invested in advancing non-animal safety testing methods, now efforts must turn to driving regulatory acceptance of these next-generation alternatives, says the founder of animal-free testing lab XCellR8.
EU consumers are more aware of risks and benefits associated with nanomaterials, but the majority still demand better labelling on everyday products – a concern that warrants further study, says the European Union Observatory for Nanomaterials (EUON).
European and UK beauty businesses must prioritise securing the right Responsible Persons (RPs) and conduct supply chain due diligence as the Brexit deadline fast approaches, says a regulatory expert.
It is high time the beauty industry prepares for Brexit and companies complete all the necessary steps to stay compliant in the EU and in the UK after the end of the transition period.
A deep dive into CosmeticDesign's Skin Microbiome Webinar
Processed probiotics are widely used in beauty products to target the skin microbiome, but few formulations contain live bacteria strains – a concept experts say is interesting from a marketing perspective but complicated to do.
Claims development must happen simultaneously with new product development to ensure beauty products stand up to scrutiny under EU law, says an expert cosmetic claims consultant.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has displayed a very narrow view of the cosmetics and personal care industry in its proposal to restrict microplastics, underestimating the true value and complexity of the sector, says the director-general...
The skin microbiome continues to ignite interest as science fast advances and product innovations hit shelves, but where exactly are the biggest opportunities for industry and what will be the key challenges moving forward?
The French Federation for Beauty Companies (FEBEA) has denounced the methodology used by consumer magazine 60 million de consommateurs to compile its list of ‘harmful cosmetics’.
As the teeth whitening category continues its time in the spotlight, with a growing array of products available it’s important manufacturers and brands understand regulatory restrictions in place worldwide.
The European Commission will soon publish its final synopsis report and evaluation of findings from public, stakeholder and SME consultations on current EU assessment and management of endocrine disruptors.
Communicating the concept and credentials of clean and ethical beauty in a market without any unanimous industry or consumer definition remains a big challenge, but there are plenty of clear opportunities when navigating this space. Scroll down to watch...
Under the lens Part II: REACH microplastics restriction
The proposed EU restriction on microplastics is edging closer and there is now a very clear sense on how this will impact beauty and personal care, says the director-general of Cosmetics Europe.
![The European Commission has issued its fourth update to the regulation prohibiting and/or restricting carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR) chemicals in cosmetics [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/11/04/banned-cmr-substances-eu-cosmetics-regulation-update-by-european-commission/12982377-2-eng-GB/Banned-CMR-substances-EU-Cosmetics-Regulation-update-by-European-Commission.jpg)
![Decades of scientific work has advanced capabilities of in vitro safety assessment of chemicals, but these methods can't be used to their full potential because regulatory frameworks still need to catch up [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/10/20/cruelty-free-cosmetics-future-needs-regulatory-catch-up-and-collaboration-say-unilever-execs/12941153-1-eng-GB/Cruelty-free-cosmetics-future-needs-regulatory-catch-up-and-collaboration-say-Unilever-execs.jpg)
![The OECD guideline outlines defined approaches for skin sensitisation assessment using in silico (computer simulation) methods and wider application under REACH will advance use of non-animal test methods, according to ECHA [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/10/13/echa-advice-on-oecd-non-animal-skin-sensitisation-assessment-to-help-apply-under-eu-reach-regulation/12922059-1-eng-GB/ECHA-advice-on-OECD-non-animal-skin-sensitisation-assessment-to-help-apply-under-EU-REACH-regulation.jpg)
![Non-animal methods (NAMs) have to be fast prioritised in EU chemicals testing under REACH and much can be learned from the US Environmental Protection Agency [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/09/23/unilever-paper-calls-for-eu-paradigm-shift-towards-non-animal-chemicals-safety-assessment/12849007-1-eng-GB/Unilever-paper-calls-for-EU-paradigm-shift-towards-non-animal-chemicals-safety-assessment.jpg)
![MEPs have adopted a resolution vote that will add political pressure to the European Commission to respond, proving important for the cosmetic industry's fight to uphold its existing EU animal testing ban [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/09/16/european-parliament-adopts-resolution-vote-for-european-commission-action-to-end-eu-animal-testing/12827328-2-eng-GB/European-Parliament-adopts-resolution-vote-for-European-Commission-action-to-end-EU-animal-testing.jpg)
![Cosmetics Europe has backed the recent European Citizens' Initiative led by Dove and The Body Shop calling on further protection of the EU animal testing ban on cosmetics and will continue to directly engage with EU policy makers on the issue [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/09/09/eu-animal-testing-cosmetics-ban-concerns-needs-high-level-policy-dialogue-says-cosmetics-europe/12807341-1-eng-GB/EU-animal-testing-cosmetics-ban-concerns-needs-high-level-policy-dialogue-says-Cosmetics-Europe.jpg)
![The Body Shop and Dove want their partnership and work with animal protection groups to inspire other beauty brands to collaborate on the issue [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/09/06/dove-and-the-body-shop-talk-animal-testing-ban-eu-campaign-and-importance-of-collaboration/12798581-1-eng-GB/Dove-and-The-Body-Shop-talk-animal-testing-ban-EU-campaign-and-importance-of-collaboration.jpg)
![The two beauty majors, along with animal protection partners, need to secure more than one million signatures to get their European Citizens’ Initiative considered by the Commission [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/08/31/animal-testing-in-cosmetics-european-citizens-initiative-launches-from-dove-the-body-shop-and-humane-society-international/12776299-1-eng-GB/Animal-testing-in-cosmetics-European-Citizens-Initiative-launches-from-Dove-The-Body-Shop-and-Humane-Society-International.jpg)
![Since the 2013 EU Cosmetic Regulation ban on animal testing for cosmetic ingredients and cosmetic products, researchers found 63 REACH dossiers for cosmetic-only ingredients still conducted in vivo testing [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/08/25/animal-testing-conflict-between-eu-cosmetic-regulation-and-echa-s-reach-regulation-says-study/12766572-1-eng-GB/Animal-testing-conflict-between-EU-Cosmetic-Regulation-and-ECHA-s-REACH-regulation-says-study.jpg)
![The boom in social media and video platforms like Instagram, Facebook and TikTok and work with influencers means cosmetic companies have much more to monitor around product claims [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/08/02/cosmetic-claims-regulations-and-substantiation-in-the-digital-age-of-instagram-tiktok-and-facebook/12701975-1-eng-GB/Cosmetic-claims-regulations-and-substantiation-in-the-digital-age-of-Instagram-TikTok-and-Facebook.jpg)
![Innovation to develop new safe and sustainable chemicals will receive public EU funding via the region's Horizon programme but also other channels, including private investment [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/07/02/european-green-deal-chemicals-strategy-for-sustainability-will-receive-horizon-funding-for-chemicals-innovation/12615522-1-eng-GB/European-Green-Deal-Chemicals-Strategy-for-Sustainability-will-receive-Horizon-funding-for-chemicals-innovation.jpg)
![The European Commission is embarking on an overview of current legislations and practices in place in cosmetics, with some revisions planned, but there will be no significant changes made right now to the governing EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/06/30/european-commission-will-not-majorly-overhaul-cosmetics-regulation-under-european-green-deal/12608179-1-eng-GB/European-Commission-will-not-majorly-overhaul-Cosmetics-Regulation-under-European-Green-Deal.jpg)
![The New Science Programme will be coordinated by a central advisory board and aims to drive forward non-animal safety assessment capabilities, regulatory use of these alternatives, and education and training across industry [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/06/15/cosmetics-industry-unveils-animal-free-safety-assessment-new-science-programme-set-to-launch-2022/12568515-1-eng-GB/Cosmetics-industry-unveils-animal-free-safety-assessment-New-Science-Programme-set-to-launch-2022.jpg)
![The provisional agreement of the European Climate Law Regulation will be adopted by the European Parliament in June and by the Council of the European Union in July [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/06/11/european-climate-law-to-be-adopted-by-parliament-and-council-of-the-european-union-in-next-two-months/12558471-1-eng-GB/European-Climate-Law-to-be-adopted-by-Parliament-and-Council-of-the-European-Union-in-next-two-months.jpg)
![Formaldehyde has been banned in EU cosmetics since 2019 but formaldehyde releasers were still widely used and have to carry warning labels when formaldehyde concentrations are found above 0.05% in the final product [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/headlines/regulation-safety/formaldehyde-releasers-in-cosmetics-must-have-lower-warning-label-threshold-says-european-commission-scientific-committee-for-consumer-safety/12527380-1-eng-GB/Formaldehyde-releasers-in-cosmetics-must-have-lower-warning-label-threshold-says-European-Commission-Scientific-Committee-for-Consumer-Safety.jpg)
![The plethora of methods and technologies for advanced penetration of cosmetic ingredients will continue to evolve, fuelling a need to focus on regulations and standards [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/05/20/cosmetic-skin-delivery-systems-need-international-standards-and-regulations-say-researchers/12497150-1-eng-GB/Cosmetic-skin-delivery-systems-need-international-standards-and-regulations-say-researchers.jpg)
![Asia Horizon has suggested a few ‘straightforward’ ways China can go about regulating CBD cosmetics. [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/headlines/regulation-safety/china-cbd-ban-asia-horizon-ceo-suggests-how-china-can-better-regulate-cbd-cosmetics-market/12350040-1-eng-GB/China-CBD-ban-Asia-Horizon-CEO-suggests-how-China-can-better-regulate-CBD-cosmetics-market.jpg)
![Balanced Health Botanicals says it will no longer invest in the APAC after China announced its proposal to ban CBD cosmetics. [BOTA Skincare]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/article/2021/04/19/china-cbd-proposed-ban-leads-us-based-bota-to-shut-down-apac-expansion-plans/12370930-1-eng-GB/China-CBD-Proposed-ban-leads-US-based-BOTA-to-shut-down-APAC-expansion-plans.jpg)
![Regulatory experts believe cosmetics regulation in Asia Pacific can become more harmonised. [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/headlines/regulation-safety/apac-cosmetic-regulation-experts-break-down-strategies-for-more-regulatory-alignment-in-the-region/12277237-1-eng-GB/APAC-cosmetic-regulation-Experts-break-down-strategies-for-more-regulatory-alignment-in-the-region.jpg)
![Impact of policy changes in Europe likely to filter down to APAC. [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/headlines/regulation-safety/why-european-policy-changes-will-create-challenges-for-apac-s-cosmetics-firms/12243300-1-eng-GB/Why-European-policy-changes-will-create-challenges-for-APAC-s-cosmetics-firms.jpg)
![Imported ‘ordinary’ cosmetics will not be required to undergo animal testing in China from May 1. [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/article/2021/03/08/china-animal-testing-exemptions-for-testing-on-ordinary-cosmetics-start-in-may-officials/12250224-1-eng-GB/China-animal-testing-Exemptions-for-testing-on-ordinary-cosmetics-start-in-May-officials.jpg)
