Cosmetic Symbols are mandatory graphical label elements designed to communicate crucial safety, shelf life, and environmental information to consumers, regardless of language. These standardized icons ensure products comply with international regulations, notably the EU Cosmetics Regulation. Understanding these symbols is essential for both consumer safety and regulatory compliance.
1. Safety and Shelf Life Symbols
These icons provide critical information about the product’s lifespan and safe use after opening:
- Period After Opening ($\text{PAO}$): The most essential symbol for consumers is the PAO, represented by an open jar image . Inside or next to the jar, a number followed by the letter “M” (e.g., 1$12 \text{M}$) indicates the number of months the product can be safely used after it is first opened.2
- Date of Minimum Durability: For products with a shelf life of less than 30 months, this is marked by an hourglass symbol or the phrase “Best used before the end of…” followed by the month and year. Products with a shelf life exceeding 30 months do not require this date, relying instead on the 3$\text{PAO}$ symbol.4
2. Information and Warning Symbols
These icons direct the consumer to essential information that could not fit on the primary label:
- Refer to Enclosed Information (Hand-in-Book Symbol): This symbol is mandatory when critical information, such as warnings, specific conditions of use, or the full list of cosmetic ingredients, is provided on a separate leaflet, hangtag, or insert that accompanies the product.
3. Packaging and Environmental Symbols
These Packaging Symbols relate to the responsible disposal and composition of the container:
- The Mobius Loop (Recycling Symbol): This universal triangle of three chasing arrows indicates that the cosmetic packaging material is recyclable.5 It often includes a number or acronym inside (6$\text{PET}$, 7$\text{HDPE}$, etc.) to identify the specific plastic resin used.8
- The Triman Logo: While not mandatory globally, the Triman logo is a crucial French national label element indicating that the product is subject to Extended Producer Responsibility ($\text{EPR}$) and should be sorted according to local instructions. It is typically accompanied by specific sorting graphics ($\text{Info-Tri}$) explaining how to handle each part of the container.
- Weight/Volume: The quantity of the product (e.g., $100 \text{ ml}$) is usually accompanied by the “$\mathbf{e}$” symbol, which certifies that the actual content meets the nominal quantity stipulated by EU metrology rules.
By standardizing these Cosmetic Symbols, regulators ensure clarity and provide consumers with the necessary tools to use products safely and dispose of them correctly, thereby maintaining trust and compliance in the cosmetics market.
