The digital ingredients list: preliminary results of a pilot version

The application and results of the digital ingredients list created by Cosmetics Europe​ was a focus of one session at the industry association’s recent Annual Conference industry knowledge-sharing event in Brussels.

Speakers for the session were:

• Anne Laissus-Leclerc, Sub-contracting, Technical and Regulatory Affairs Director, LVMH

• Christophe Jourdain, Managing Director, IFOP

• Manuela Coroama, Senior Manager, Cosmetics Europe

Session highlights​

Here are the key session highlights from the event, as compiled by CEAC organisers:

The general revolution in communication means and technologies offers opportunities for delivering information on cosmetic products in ways that better meet the needs of consumers and of the various other stakeholders.

Consumer behaviour is changing too, preferences moving from material to digital supports, from literal to more visual modes of communication.

Cosmetics Europe has explored, through a pilot, the consumers’ response to the future digital list of cosmetic product ingredients and its technical feasibility for companies and retailers.

Insights into the preliminary results of the pilot were presented and discussed in this session.

Significant insights: consumers search info online​

The survey of large demographically-representative and statistically-significant consumer panels in five EU Member States (Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy and Sweden) showed a consistent picture of consumer perceptions and habits towards the ingredients list.

It also showed that product packaging is the main source of ingredient information, but not the only one: 43% of consumers already obtain ingredient-related information on the internet.

The digital ingredients list was appreciated by both regular internet-users and non-users of internet, as having a real advantage over the on-pack list in terms of usage, modernity, innovation and environment and it generated enthusiasm regardless of age or gender.

Regarding the technical feasibility of the digital ingredients list, the participating companies and retailers were satisfied with the outcome of the pilot and can see themselves extending the digital ingredients list to the entire range of cosmetic products that they manufacture and sell, respectively.

Cosmetics Europe will issue a pilot report after the summer and will develop a proposal for the voluntary implementation of the digital ingredients list to be submitted to its Board of Directors in December 2018.