EU notifies WTO of cosmetics Regulation guidelines

EU notifies WTO of cosmetics Regulation guidelines
The EU has notified the World Trade Organization of its guidelines to help economic operators to comply with the requirements of Annex I of its cosmetics Regulation. 

The move comes after the Cosmetics Regulation which was adopted in 2009 finally went into complete action replacing the Cosmetics Directive of 1976 that used to rule cosmetics products earlier in the month.

The Guidelines were prepared to enable economic operators, especially small and medium-sized enterprises to comply with the requirements laid down in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products.”

Notification

In regards to the implementation of this new Regulation, the Commission highlights six major points in the document.  

(1) It is essential that cosmetic products made available on the Union market be safe for human health when used under normal and reasonably foreseeable conditions of use. To that end, Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 requires that cosmetic products undergo a safety assessment.

(2) The operator designated as the responsible person in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 is to ensure that, for each cosmetic product which is to be placed on the Union market, a cosmetic product safety report is drawn up on the basis of the relevant information.

(3) In order to facilitate the understanding of the requirements of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 by all undertakings, and especially small and medium-size enterprises, the Regulation requires that the Commission adopts appropriate guidelines.

(4) This Decision sets out appropriate guidelines on Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. They were developed with the contribution of the relevant stakeholders, including representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises.

(5) The guidelines should assist responsible persons in complying with their regulatory obligations. However, they are not meant to replace the knowledge and expertise of the qualified safety assessor, as required by Article 10(2) of Regulation (EC) No p. 59.1223/2009, who should remain the only professional allowed to carry out the cosmetic product safety assessment as described in Part B of Annex I.

(6) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Cosmetic Products some parts of the new Regulation have already been in force, but the major portion entered into effect on July 11, with the major aims focusing on health protection, animal protection and consumer protection.

The Commission Regulation 655/ 2013​ can be viewed in full here​, and the full Regulation 1223/ 2009​ of the European Parliament and of the Council can be viewed here​.

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