From PPWR to MoCRA, EPR and deforestation laws, it’s been a regulations-heavy time for the cosmetics industry across the globe. We recap some of the most important regulatory updates in 2023 for companies that sell in the EU, UK and beyond...
In response to the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) ‘Save Cruelty-free Cosmetics’, the Commission has outlined a roadmap to help further reduce animal testing, but activists say it’s not good enough.
Far too many beauty and personal care companies still use microplastics and nanoplastics in product formulations, which is unacceptable given the environmental and human health impacts, says the founder of marine conservation NGO Plastic Soup Foundation.
Several beauty brands and associations have signed an open letter to the European Commission (EC) calling for a faster and more complete ban on intentionally added microplastics in cosmetics.
A call from five EU national authorities to ban production, use and placement on the EU market of all perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) has been published in full by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) today.
A European Citizens’ Initiative calling to protect and strengthen the EU animal testing ban in cosmetics has surpassed one million signatures and will now be reviewed by the European Commission.
Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden have submitted a proposal to the European Chemicals Agency ECHA calling for a restriction on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) under the EU’s chemicals regulation REACH.
The European Union (EU) will see ambitious and radical environmental regulations take form in the coming years, and so beauty and personal care must be ready for the sectoral impact of these, says the director-general of Cosmetics Europe.
Animal welfare charity Humane Society International has published a white paper outlining a proposal to revise the EU chemicals regulation REACH, aiming to modernise the framework and drive uptake of non-animal testing methods.
Supply giant BASF says that whilst the European Green Deal’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability opens plenty of innovation opportunities, it will also cause significant disruption and challenges given the simplification of risk assessment and shrinking...
The publication of defined approaches to in silico skin sensitisation chemical assessment is a landmark moment for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) with significant implications for an animal-free future, say agency leaders.
The Long Read: In Conversation with Unilever Safety & Environmental Assurance Centre (SEAC) executives
The beauty industry continues to be stuck between conflicting requirements on animal testing, with bans under the EU Cosmetics Regulation and new data calls under the European Chemical Agency’s (ECHA) REACH Regulation, and the scientific community is...
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published advice on how industry can reliably combine non-animal data from different sources to assess skin sensitisation of chemicals in the EU, using the new Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development...
A complete shift in the safety assessment of chemicals will be necessary if the EU is to uphold its ‘animal testing as a last resort’ policy under the European Chemicals Agency’s REACH regulation – a critical aspect to maintaining the wider cosmetics...
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have adopted a resolution vote calling on the European Commission to establish an EU-wide action plan to actively phase out animal experiments – a move that adds weight to the cosmetics industry’s fight to protect...
Industry must continue raising its concerns around the interface between ECHA and the Cosmetics Regulation on animal testing because there are issues that need to be debated and solutions found, says the director-general of Cosmetics Europe.
The Body Shop and Dove combining their scale and size brings a collective power to push forward calls to protect the EU’s existing animal testing ban on cosmetics, company executives say.
Unilever’s Dove and Natura &Co’s The Body Shop have joined forces alongside leading global animal protection groups to ramp up calls for the European Union to protect its ban on animal testing in cosmetics, unveiling a European Citizens’ Initiative...
A study has identified a number of EU cosmetic ingredients tested on animals since the Cosmetics Regulation ban; data largely collected to prove worker and environmental safety under REACH or because alternative testing methods were rejected, researchers...
In-depth insight from Cosmetics Europe Annual Conference (CEAC) 2021
The European Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability will lead industry towards a cleaner, toxic-free environment via innovation, prevention and consolidation of existing legal frameworks, with funding set to be released under the EU's Horizon programme,...
In-depth insight from Cosmetics Europe Annual Conference (CEAC) 2021
The European Green Deal will see plenty of strategies and legislation rolled out to slash carbon emissions, phase out harmful chemicals and drive circular business models, but there will be no major overhaul to the existing EU Cosmetics Regulation, according...
STATE OF THE INDUSTRY PART II: REFLECTING ON WHAT’S TO COME IN 2021
The European Green Deal will be the biggest policy challenge for the cosmetics and personal care industry in 2021, but industry must also focus on upcoming change around microplastics and digital services, says the director-general of Cosmetics Europe.
The European Commission (EC) stands by its endorsement of calls made by the European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) Board of Appeal for animal data to verify worker safety of two cosmetic ingredients, despite a recent industry-signed open letter damning such...
More than 400 beauty companies and brands have signed an open letter addressed to the European Commission, Parliament and Council calling for new animal testing to be stopped, in adherence to the existing EU animal testing ban on cosmetic products and...
The cosmetics industry has heavily invested in advancing non-animal safety testing methods, now efforts must turn to driving regulatory acceptance of these next-generation alternatives, says the founder of animal-free testing lab XCellR8.
Procter & Gamble, Unilever, L’Oréal and Avon are among signatories of an open statement claiming the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and its Board of Appeal is undermining the EU animal testing ban on cosmetics - a claim the agency refutes.
The European Commission (EC) has adopted a Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability to further strengthen protection of human and environmental health, including a phase out of the most harmful substances and simplification of the risk assessment process.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has displayed a very narrow view of the cosmetics and personal care industry in its proposal to restrict microplastics, underestimating the true value and complexity of the sector, says the director-general...
The European Commission will soon publish its final synopsis report and evaluation of findings from public, stakeholder and SME consultations on current EU assessment and management of endocrine disruptors.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has added butylparaben to its Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHCs) because of its endocrine-disrupting properties – companies importing or producing products containing the substance now have six...
Under the lens Part II: REACH microplastics restriction
The proposed EU restriction on microplastics is edging closer and there is now a very clear sense on how this will impact beauty and personal care, says the director-general of Cosmetics Europe.
Under the lens Part I: REACH microplastics restriction
Cosmetics Europe and its member associations will continue their argument that the European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) proposal to restrict microplastics on the EU market remains disproportionately weighted against beauty and personal care.
Non-animal tests on chemical substances continue to be widely used in the EU, with read-across studies most popular and in vitro methods gaining traction, according to the European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) latest report.
Sustainable packaging innovation, analysis on animal testing bans across the world, and news of the multibillion Nestlé Skin Health sale and rebrand were just some of our most read stories last year.
Medical research charity FRAME wants to gauge public and professional knowledge on animal testing in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and chemicals and hopes its survey will drive awareness on the complexity of the issue.
The European Chemicals Agency ECHA is sharply focused on tackling widespread incompliance with REACH registrations and dossiers, moving forward with a joint European Commission action plan.
Upcoming restrictions on use of microplastics, permanent make-up and cyclic siloxanes must be on the agenda for those working in beauty and personal care, says a REACH expert.
There are unknown facts around the full impact Brexit will have on cosmetics regulation and compliance, but regulatory knowledge and harmonisation across the European Union must still be prioritised, says the president of Cosmetics Consultants Europe...
![The European Commission (EC) is due to finalise its proposed ban on microplastics in cosmetics, with a 12-year transition period for certain nail, lip and makeup products [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2023/03/02/microplastics-in-cosmetics-eu-ban-must-be-faster-says-ngo-plastic-soup-foundation/16216495-2-eng-GB/Microplastics-in-cosmetics-EU-ban-must-be-faster-says-NGO-Plastic-Soup-Foundation.jpg)
![The open letter says the current microplastics ban proposal doesn't go far enough, with 'exceptionally long transition periods' for some categories, including leave-on nail products [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2023/02/20/beauty-industry-writes-open-letter-to-european-commission-calling-for-swifter-microplastics-ban-in-cosmetics/16184813-1-eng-GB/Beauty-industry-writes-open-letter-to-European-Commission-calling-for-swifter-microplastics-ban-in-cosmetics.jpg)
![Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAs), used across a range of industries from aerospace and cookware to textiles and cosmetics, are considered 'forever chemicals' that persist in the environment, contaminating ground water, soil, plants and even animals and humans [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2023/02/07/eu-pfas-ban-proposal-annex-xv-restriction-published-by-echa-set-to-go-to-european-commission/16149725-1-eng-GB/EU-PFAs-ban-proposal-Annex-XV-Restriction-published-by-ECHA-set-to-go-to-European-Commission.jpg)
![With more than 1.2 million validated votes across 22 European countries, no other European Citizens' Initiative has ever achieved this level of support [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2023/01/27/european-citizens-initiative-for-cruelty-free-cosmetics-hits-1.2-million-votes-and-will-reach-european-commission/16121654-1-eng-GB/European-Citizens-Initiative-for-cruelty-free-cosmetics-hits-1.2-million-votes-and-will-reach-European-Commission.jpg)
![Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAs), largely used in non-stick and water-resistant items like cookware and clothing, but also found in beauty and personal care products, were being increasingly detected as environmental pollutants in groundwater and soil [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2023/01/26/pfas-ban-in-european-union-proposed-by-five-national-authorities-to-be-evaluated-by-echa/16117178-1-eng-GB/PFAs-ban-in-European-Union-proposed-by-five-national-authorities-to-be-evaluated-by-ECHA.jpg)
![The European Commission often leads with ambitious and radical regulatory change, particularly on environmental issues [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2023/01/25/cosmetics-europe-talks-eu-cosmetics-regulation-reach-regulation-and-microplastics-restriction-updates/16115108-2-eng-GB/Cosmetics-Europe-talks-EU-Cosmetics-Regulation-REACH-Regulation-and-Microplastics-Restriction-updates.jpg)
![The animal welfare charity hopes its REACH revision proposal drives wider uptake and acceptance of animal-free new approach methodologies (NAMs) for cosmetics safety assessment [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/10/26/humane-society-international-reach-revision-proposal-calls-for-echa-procedural-technical-and-structural-change/15885212-1-eng-GB/Humane-Society-International-REACH-revision-proposal-calls-for-ECHA-procedural-technical-and-structural-change.jpg)
![Downstream users of chemicals, including beauty and personal care manufacturers, will start to face challenges if the chemical toolbox shrinks and a zero-tolerance approach is taken on non-compliance [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/12/15/european-green-deal-chemicals-strategy-for-sustainability-beauty-and-cosmetics-impact-significant/13097923-1-eng-GB/European-Green-Deal-Chemicals-Strategy-for-Sustainability-beauty-and-cosmetics-impact-significant.jpg)
![The OECD's guideline on in silico defined approaches to assess skin sensitisation is being praised as a landmark achievement [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/headlines/regulation-safety/oecd-skin-sensitisation-defined-approaches-guideline-a-landmark-in-animal-free-future/12998689-1-eng-GB/OECD-skin-sensitisation-defined-approaches-guideline-a-landmark-in-animal-free-future.jpg)
![Decades of scientific work has advanced capabilities of in vitro safety assessment of chemicals, but these methods can't be used to their full potential because regulatory frameworks still need to catch up [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/10/20/cruelty-free-cosmetics-future-needs-regulatory-catch-up-and-collaboration-say-unilever-execs/12941153-1-eng-GB/Cruelty-free-cosmetics-future-needs-regulatory-catch-up-and-collaboration-say-Unilever-execs.jpg)
![The OECD guideline outlines defined approaches for skin sensitisation assessment using in silico (computer simulation) methods and wider application under REACH will advance use of non-animal test methods, according to ECHA [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/10/13/echa-advice-on-oecd-non-animal-skin-sensitisation-assessment-to-help-apply-under-eu-reach-regulation/12922059-1-eng-GB/ECHA-advice-on-OECD-non-animal-skin-sensitisation-assessment-to-help-apply-under-EU-REACH-regulation.jpg)
![Non-animal methods (NAMs) have to be fast prioritised in EU chemicals testing under REACH and much can be learned from the US Environmental Protection Agency [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/09/23/unilever-paper-calls-for-eu-paradigm-shift-towards-non-animal-chemicals-safety-assessment/12849007-1-eng-GB/Unilever-paper-calls-for-EU-paradigm-shift-towards-non-animal-chemicals-safety-assessment.jpg)
![MEPs have adopted a resolution vote that will add political pressure to the European Commission to respond, proving important for the cosmetic industry's fight to uphold its existing EU animal testing ban [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/09/16/european-parliament-adopts-resolution-vote-for-european-commission-action-to-end-eu-animal-testing/12827328-2-eng-GB/European-Parliament-adopts-resolution-vote-for-European-Commission-action-to-end-EU-animal-testing.jpg)
![Cosmetics Europe has backed the recent European Citizens' Initiative led by Dove and The Body Shop calling on further protection of the EU animal testing ban on cosmetics and will continue to directly engage with EU policy makers on the issue [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/09/09/eu-animal-testing-cosmetics-ban-concerns-needs-high-level-policy-dialogue-says-cosmetics-europe/12807341-1-eng-GB/EU-animal-testing-cosmetics-ban-concerns-needs-high-level-policy-dialogue-says-Cosmetics-Europe.jpg)
![The Body Shop and Dove want their partnership and work with animal protection groups to inspire other beauty brands to collaborate on the issue [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/09/06/dove-and-the-body-shop-talk-animal-testing-ban-eu-campaign-and-importance-of-collaboration/12798581-1-eng-GB/Dove-and-The-Body-Shop-talk-animal-testing-ban-EU-campaign-and-importance-of-collaboration.jpg)
![The two beauty majors, along with animal protection partners, need to secure more than one million signatures to get their European Citizens’ Initiative considered by the Commission [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/08/31/animal-testing-in-cosmetics-european-citizens-initiative-launches-from-dove-the-body-shop-and-humane-society-international/12776299-1-eng-GB/Animal-testing-in-cosmetics-European-Citizens-Initiative-launches-from-Dove-The-Body-Shop-and-Humane-Society-International.jpg)
![Since the 2013 EU Cosmetic Regulation ban on animal testing for cosmetic ingredients and cosmetic products, researchers found 63 REACH dossiers for cosmetic-only ingredients still conducted in vivo testing [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/08/25/animal-testing-conflict-between-eu-cosmetic-regulation-and-echa-s-reach-regulation-says-study/12766572-1-eng-GB/Animal-testing-conflict-between-EU-Cosmetic-Regulation-and-ECHA-s-REACH-regulation-says-study.jpg)
![Innovation to develop new safe and sustainable chemicals will receive public EU funding via the region's Horizon programme but also other channels, including private investment [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/07/02/european-green-deal-chemicals-strategy-for-sustainability-will-receive-horizon-funding-for-chemicals-innovation/12615522-1-eng-GB/European-Green-Deal-Chemicals-Strategy-for-Sustainability-will-receive-Horizon-funding-for-chemicals-innovation.jpg)
![The European Commission is embarking on an overview of current legislations and practices in place in cosmetics, with some revisions planned, but there will be no significant changes made right now to the governing EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/06/30/european-commission-will-not-majorly-overhaul-cosmetics-regulation-under-european-green-deal/12608179-1-eng-GB/European-Commission-will-not-majorly-overhaul-Cosmetics-Regulation-under-European-Green-Deal.jpg)
