EU COSMETIC REGULATIONS: SAFER FOR CONSUMERS, BETTER FOR MANUFACTURERS

12.00.00am GMT Wed 25th Mar 2009

Consumer groups and the cosmetics industry have welcomed a vote by MEPs to scrap 55 EU laws on cosmetics.

A host of complicated and contradictory rules, some of them dating back to 1976, have been swept aside to be replaced by a simplified new law that lays down common standards for cosmetic products which includes make-up and toiletries such as soap and shampoo.

Welcoming the move, Lib Dem Euro-MP for the North East Fiona Hall said:

"We all use cosmetic products on a daily basis, even just to wash our hands, so tight regulation of cosmetics is essential. Better regulation will be safer for consumers but less costly for manufacturers.

"The last thing that manufacturers want is to have different rules, or different interpretation of rules, in 27 countries across Europe."

The new cosmetics legislation strengthens labelling requirements, for the first time giving consumers information about the use of nano-materials in cosmetics. It also introduces minimum requirements for safety assessments to be made before new products are put on the market, and confirms a ban on the general use of any ingredient that may be carcinogenic.