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...
It’s been a busy week for the US Food & Drug Administration, with the Agency publishing, issuing, launching, and releasing a raft of MoCRA-related updates.
As 2024 dawns among a flurry of new EU regulations designed to make our industry more sustainable, it’s clear that the topic of how to avoid greenwashing claims should be top of every business agenda.
Updated deadlines, the announcement of a newly developed draft submission portal, and the release of several different draft guidance documents are just some of the developments that have occurred this year regarding MoCRA’s implementation of cosmetic...
UK government body the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating the British FMCG company following concerns around how it has been marketing certain products as environmentally friendly.
The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) and Cosmetics Europe have launched the COSMILE Europe app to give consumers instant, scientifically supported information on the ingredients in their cosmetics and personal care products.
Earlier this month, the fifth Conference of the Parties (COP-5) took place in Geneva and key steps were made towards phasing out the use of mercury in rogue cosmetics.
Newly issued guidance on the intent to delay enforcement of these key regulatory requirements under MoCRA for six months will allow cosmetics and personal care product companies more time to enact compliance measures.
Indonesia's recent trade regulation calling for the separation of social media and e-commerce poses a significant challenge to the pursuit of an integrated social commerce journey, especially for SME brands in the beauty space and beyond.
In accordance with MoCRA, the FDA’s draft guidance document outlines recommendations to establish a new electronic submission system to replace the Voluntary Cosmetic Registration Program (VCRP) by the end of this year.
The introduction of the new Modernisation of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA) could complicate entry into the US beauty market for Asian cosmetic companies, says a regulatory expert.
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.
This year’s convention featured over a dozen different scheduled seminars covering a myriad of pressing issues in the regulation of personal care products including PFAS, clean beauty, sunscreens, international issues, and MoCRA legislation, and was the...
As the FDA continues to implement changes to begin enforcing some of MoCRA’s authorities and industry requirements by the end of this year, CosmeticsDesign checks in with Victor Mencarelli, Director of Global Regulatory Affairs at Orveon, to learn more...
Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has responded to growing concerns on the use of “harmful chemicals” in cosmetics by drafting a proposal to ban 13 types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
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.
The beauty and personal care industry must acknowledge weaknesses and address them, because the gap between industry and consumers continues to widen, plagued by poorly backed claims and a raft of misinformation online, warns a cosmetic claims consultant.
A round-up of CosmeticsDesign-Europe’s most-read news from February 2023 shows interest in legislation around PFAs and microplastics, animal-free safety testing and predictions on hair care and biotech promise.
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.
The level and breadth of expertise and experience across the global membership of the International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety (ICCS) is something very unique in the field of animal-free safety testing and should fuel serious, true change, its...
A group of 35 beauty manufacturers, suppliers, industry associations and animal welfare groups have established a global collective to advance animal-free safety assessments in cosmetics worldwide.
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.
As consumer demand for natural ingredients in personal beauty care products continues to rise, cosmetics manufacturers are considering replacing synthetic preservatives with natural alternatives – but at what cost?
Leading beauty and personal care title CosmeticsDesign has unveiled a fresh look across its three regional websites across the USA, Europe and Asia that aims to improve useability and navigation of its content.
A round-up of CosmeticsDesign-Europe’s most-read news from January 2023 shows interest in expert insight on upcoming regulatory change, beauty tech launches, skin microbiome and botanicals science, and future consumer trends.
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.
The level of regulatory changes set to impact the beauty and personal care sector in the EU this year is unprecedented, and so industry must stay connected and informed, says the director-general of Cosmetics Europe.
The teeth whitening category continues to boom as consumers worldwide seek out brighter smiles, but differing regulatory frameworks and consumer expectations mean innovation must stay broad, says a Colgate-Palmolive exec.
The beauty and personal care industry must invest more in better understanding complex chemical supply chains and work with its partners to drive sustainable action, especially during disruptive times with COVID-19, Brexit and the climate crisis, says...
Unilever-owned international beauty brand Dove is making a final push to inspire more European consumers to align on protecting the EU’s ban on animal testing in cosmetics.
Fragrance is vital in many industries, including personal care, and the Fragrance Creators Association is working to improve its impact and public understanding.
Greater investments in biotechnology will help truly advance beauty innovation, satisfying consumer needs and addressing planetary woes, says the founder of Mibelle Biochemistry.
Interest in natural and organic cosmetics continues to rise amidst a wider green beauty boom, but with little regulation around these two terms, certification schemes have taken on fresh importance - for industry and consumers alike.
There are strong opportunities to widen use of new approach methodologies (NAMs) for chemical risk assessments on worker safety and environmental impact of cosmetics, though regulatory acceptance will require a collaborative industry-research push, say...
Confusion and misinformation regarding the marine safety of sunscreens can ultimately hinder cosmetic formulators’ ability to develop safe and effective UV protection.
Establishing and encouraging EU-local partnerships as the European Commission pushes ahead with its green and digital agendas will be critical in ensuring the fragrance industry remains resilient and continues to thrive, says the president of the International...
The British Beauty Council has developed an online hub to help UK beauty and personal care businesses navigate through post-Brexit confusion and concerns around evolving trade costs and rules.
Many CBD products are not actually legal under FDA regulation, but they are sweeping the US market anyways. CosmeticsDesign spoke with lawyer Tommy Tobin, associate at Perkins Coie LLP, about where CBD stands legally in the US.
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...
A round-up of CosmeticsDesign-Europe’s most-read news from November 2021 shows interest in EC regulatory updates on CMR chemicals, Unilever’s duo of patents on metal-free antiperspirants and insights on sustainability and consumer trends.
In the wake of Brexit, the UK formed a Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety in Consumer Products (SAG-CS) and established its own REACH regulation – both of which need to be understood and navigated by industry carefully, says the Cosmetic, Toiletry...
The European Commission (EC) has extended its list of prohibited carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR) chemicals in cosmetics following extensive consultations with its Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and other interested...
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...
![Indonesia's regulation calling for the separation of social media and e-commerce poses a significant challenge to the pursuit of an integrated social commerce journey. [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/article/2023/10/09/indonesia-tiktok-shop-ban-new-social-commerce-regs-a-blow-for-seamless-buying-experiences/16817942-1-eng-GB/Indonesia-TikTok-Shop-ban-New-social-commerce-regs-a-blow-for-seamless-buying-experiences.jpg)
![MoCRA could complicate entry into the US beauty market for Asian cosmetic companies, says a regulatory expert. [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-asia.com/headlines/regulation-safety/mocra-regulations-what-asia-s-beauty-firms-need-to-know-about-us-s-landmark-law/16601820-1-eng-GB/MoCRA-regulations-What-Asia-s-beauty-firms-need-to-know-about-US-s-landmark-law.jpg)
![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)
![Consumers are increasingly turning to their peers for information on beauty - online and offline - and getting further away from brands and brand messaging, claims a consultant [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2023/03/01/beauty-innovation-must-slow-and-become-science-led-with-substantiated-claims-and-honest-npd-says-dr-theresa-callaghan/16212877-1-eng-GB/Beauty-innovation-must-slow-and-become-science-led-with-substantiated-claims-and-honest-NPD-says-Dr-Theresa-Callaghan.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)
![Today, the International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety (ICCS) is made up of 35 beauty companies, suppliers, trade associations and NGOs, though many more are in final stages of becoming members [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2023/02/13/international-collaboration-on-cosmetics-safety-iccs-talks-funding-research-gaps-and-global-collaboration/16164881-1-eng-GB/International-Collaboration-on-Cosmetics-Safety-ICCS-talks-funding-research-gaps-and-global-collaboration.jpg)
![The International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety (ICCS) aims to advance the adoption of animal-free safety assessments for cosmetics and personal care products and ingredients worldwide [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2023/02/08/animal-free-cosmetics-safety-testing-global-collective-international-collaboration-on-cosmetics-safety-iccs-launches/16154090-1-eng-GB/Animal-free-cosmetics-safety-testing-global-collective-International-Collaboration-on-Cosmetics-Safety-ICCS-launches.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)
![CosmeticsDesign has refreshed the look and function of its three leading global B2B publications [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2023/01/31/cosmeticsdesign-unveils-global-brand-refresh-across-usa-europe-and-asia-websites-in-2023/16131419-1-eng-GB/CosmeticsDesign-unveils-global-brand-refresh-across-USA-Europe-and-Asia-websites-in-2023.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)
![In 2023, two revised Directives on urban waste water treatment and packaging would become critical to follow closely, among other updates [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/cosmetics-europe-director-general-discusses-unprecedented-2023-regulatory-change-for-beauty-personal-care/16107284-1-eng-GB/Cosmetics-Europe-director-general-discusses-unprecedented-2023-regulatory-change-for-beauty-personal-care.jpg)
![Colgate-Palmolive continues to carefully navigate restricted uses on certain ingredients and is working hard to cater to all lifestyles across budgets, expectations and uses [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign.com/headlines/market-trends/colgate-palmolive-exec-talks-future-trends-in-teeth-whitening-market-worldwide/16095653-1-eng-GB/Colgate-Palmolive-exec-talks-future-trends-in-teeth-whitening-market-worldwide.jpg)
![The beauty industry can work closely with chemical trade associations to better understand and manage supply chains moving forward, especially amidst ongoing disruptions and today's climate crisis [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/12/06/chemical-business-association-says-sustainable-supply-chains-are-key-for-beauty-industry-amidst-globalisation-and-climate-crisis/16001921-1-eng-GB/Chemical-Business-Association-says-sustainable-supply-chains-are-key-for-beauty-industry-amidst-globalisation-and-climate-crisis.jpg)
![The European Citizens' Initiative calling on the European Commission to protect and strengthen the existing EU animal testing ban on cosmetics closes on August 31, 2022 and Dove is calling for more EU consumers to sign [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/08/26/animal-testing-ban-cosmetics-eu-needs-protection-via-european-citizens-initiative-says-dove/15715020-1-eng-GB/Animal-testing-ban-cosmetics-EU-needs-protection-via-European-Citizens-Initiative-says-Dove.jpg)
![Biomimicry, for example, opens plentiful opportunities for beauty, so industry must continue to advance technologies and capabilities [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/05/16/biotech-beauty-must-be-a-priority-for-innovation-in-cosmetics-says-mibelle-biochemistry-founder/15418861-1-eng-GB/Biotech-beauty-must-be-a-priority-for-innovation-in-cosmetics-says-Mibelle-Biochemistry-founder.jpg)
![Industry and consumers have a plethora of certifications and standards that can be used for natural and organic cosmetics [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/04/07/natural-and-organic-cosmetic-certifications-and-standards-for-eu-beauty-industry/15313432-5-eng-GB/Natural-and-organic-cosmetic-certifications-and-standards-for-EU-beauty-industry.jpg)
![New approach methodologies (NAMs) have already been well-proven for animal-free cosmetic product and ingredient safety testing, but should now be accepted as 'scientifically robust' for testing worker safety and environmental impact [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/03/24/animal-free-chemical-risk-assessment-for-cosmetics-possible-with-collaborative-push-say-toxicology-experts/15270625-1-eng-GB/Animal-free-chemical-risk-assessment-for-cosmetics-possible-with-collaborative-push-say-toxicology-experts.jpg)
![The fragrance industry will engage with the European Commission as policies and strategies are set out to achieve European Green Deal goals [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/02/14/european-green-deal-fragrance-industry-impact-and-future-policies-and-strategies/13238140-1-eng-GB/European-Green-Deal-fragrance-industry-impact-and-future-policies-and-strategies.jpg)
![According to The British Beauty Council there had been plenty of 'uncertainty' in the run up to Brexit and businesses still faced difficulties in navigating rule changes [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/02/02/british-beauty-council-trade-hub-for-brexit-confusion-and-international-growth-insight/13205924-1-eng-GB/British-Beauty-Council-trade-hub-for-Brexit-confusion-and-international-growth-insight.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)
![Whilst the foundational EU Cosmetics Regulation transitioned nicely across the pond into UK legislation, chemical safety assessment now looks slightly different due to a new working group and UK REACH [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/11/16/uk-chemical-safety-legislation-for-cosmetics-post-brexit-includes-sag-cs-group-and-uk-reach/13018918-1-eng-GB/UK-chemical-safety-legislation-for-cosmetics-post-Brexit-includes-SAG-CS-group-and-UK-REACH.jpg)
![The European Commission has issued its fourth update to the regulation prohibiting and/or restricting carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR) chemicals in cosmetics [Getty Images]](https://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/11/04/banned-cmr-substances-eu-cosmetics-regulation-update-by-european-commission/12982377-2-eng-GB/Banned-CMR-substances-EU-Cosmetics-Regulation-update-by-European-Commission.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)
