EC lays down ecolabel criteria for rinse-off cosmetics
‘Rinse-off' cosmetics consists of any rinse-off substance falling under the scope of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 intended to be placed in contact with the epidermis and/or the hair system with a view to cleaning them (shampoos), to improve the condition of the hair, or to protect the epidermis and lubricate the hair before shaving.
After consulting the Ecolabelling Board, the Commission ruled that the EU Ecolabel may be placed on products which have a reduced environmental impact during their entire life cycle.
"The criteria should in particular promote products that have reduced impact on aquatic ecosystems, contain limited amount of hazardous substances and minimise waste production by reducing the amount of packaging."
Criteria review
The EC announced the criteria of this group has been reviewed in the light of technological developments and the results of which has deemed it necessary to modify the name and the definition of the product group so as to include a new sub-product group and establish new criteria.
The transitional period should be allowed for producers whose products have been awarded the Ecolabel for soaps, shampoos and hair conditioners on the basis of the criteria set out in Decision 2007/506/EC, so that they have sufficient time to adapt their products to comply with the revised criteria and requirements.
Producers should also be allowed to submit applications based on the criteria set out in Decision 2007/506/EC or on the criteria set out in this Decision until the lapse of validity of that Decision.
The following definitions shall now apply:
(1) | ‘ingoing substances’ means preservatives, fragrances and colorants, regardless of the concentration, and other substances intentionally added, by-products and impurities from raw materials, the concentration of which equals or exceeds 0.010 % by weight of final formulation; |
(2) | ‘active content’ (AC) means the sum of organic ingoing substances in the product (expressed in grams), calculated on the basis of the complete formulation of the product, including propellants contained in aerosol products. Rubbing/abrasive agents are not included in the calculation of the active content; |
(3) | ‘primary packaging’ means packaging in direct contact with the content conceived so as to constitute the smallest sales unit of distribution to the final user or consumer at the point of purchase; |
(4) | ‘secondary packaging’ means packaging which can be removed from the product without affecting its characteristics and is conceived so as to constitute at the point of purchase a grouping of a certain number of sales units whether the latter is sold as such to the final user or consumer or whether it serves only as a means to replenish the shelves at the point of sale. |
A full rundown of the Decision can be seen here.
