Staying current with Regulatory Changes in the EU cosmetics sector is vital for maintaining compliance. The EU system provides several official and scientific resources that publish updates regarding Ingredient safety and legal status.
1. Official Legislative Source: EUR-Lex
- What it is: Eur-lex is the official online portal for EU law. It provides access to the full, consolidated text of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 and all its amendments.
- Relevance to Regulatory Changes: All new regulations that directly amend the Annexes (such as changes to permitted preservatives, UV filters, or prohibited substances) are first published here. Monitoring Eur-lex is the definitive way to confirm the final legal text of any Regulatory Changes.
2. Scientific Guidance: SCCS Opinions
- What it is: The SCCS (Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety) is an independent scientific body that provides risk assessments and safety opinions on cosmetic Ingredients, particularly those suspected of causing health risks or those for which new data has emerged.
- Relevance to Regulatory Changes: SCCS opinions are the scientific basis for almost all legal amendments to the Annexes. If the SCCS publishes a negative opinion on an ingredient, the European Commission usually follows up by restricting or prohibiting that substance in the legal Annexes. Monitoring SCCS publications gives advance warning of future Regulatory Changes.
3. Regulatory Databases: CosIng
- What it is: CosIng is the European Commission’s database of cosmetic substances and Ingredients. It is an information tool, not a legal one, but it mirrors the legal status of substances.
- Relevance to Regulatory Changes: This database is updated when substances are added to or removed from the Annexes. It provides a quick reference for the legal status, function, and regulatory requirements (restrictions, warnings) of any cosmetic Ingredient.
By regularly consulting Eur-lex for the finalized legal text and the SCCS for the scientific rationale, companies can effectively track and anticipate Regulatory Changes impacting their product formulations.
