EU cosmetic labelling
A cosmetic label is not just design. Under EU cosmetic labelling rules, Article 19 of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 lists seven mandatory particulars, and each Member State decides which languages some of them must be written in. This guide covers what must be on the label, how to handle several languages, what to do when space is tight, and what changes for the UK.
The information must be in indelible, easily legible and visible lettering, on the container (the bottle, tube or jar) and on the outer packaging, if there is one, such as a carton.
| Particular | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Responsible Person | Name or registered name and address of whoever answers for the product in the EU |
| Country of origin | Only for products imported from outside the EU |
| Nominal content | Weight or volume at the time of packaging, in grams or millilitres |
| Date of minimum durability or PAO | “Best used before the end of” date, or period after opening |
| Precautions for use | Mandatory warnings and any special precautions |
| Batch number | Code identifying the production batch |
| Function | What the product is for, unless clear from its presentation |
| List of ingredients | INCI list in descending order of weight |
The full text of the Regulation is on EUR-Lex.
The name and address may be abbreviated, as long as the person and their address can be identified. If there are several addresses, the one where the Product Information File (PIF) is available must be highlighted. In private label, the brand owner’s name usually appears.
Not required for packs of less than 5 grams or 5 millilitres, free samples and single-application packs. For products sold by number of items (such as wipes), it is not needed if the number is visible from outside or stated on the pack.
The durability must be supported by the stability data in the PIF.
Precautions include the conditions of use set out in the Annexes of the Regulation for certain ingredients, plus any warnings indicated by the safety assessor. The batch number makes production traceable: at Roklar every batch is traceable by code. The function (“intimate wash”, “hand cream”) can be omitted only if it is obvious from the presentation.
It is preceded by the word “ingredients”. Ingredients are listed by their common INCI names (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients), in descending order of weight at the time they are added. Below 1% the order is free. Fragrance and flavour are listed as “parfum” and “aroma”, but certain allergenic substances must be listed separately when they exceed the legal thresholds. Colourants are shown by their CI number, and nanomaterials with “(nano)” after the name.
The Regulation leaves it to each Member State to decide the language of some particulars: nominal content, date of minimum durability or PAO, precautions for use and function. Many countries require these particulars in their official language or languages, even when other languages are also on the pack. Before you print, check the rules of every country where you plan to sell.
The INCI list, on the other hand, is never translated: ingredient names are the same throughout the EU, so a consumer with an allergy can recognise them anywhere.
If you sell in several countries, you have two options:
This choice affects format and design, so make it before ordering packaging. A carton gives you more room for languages than a small tube. Keep in mind that a distributor who translates your label on their own initiative takes on notification duties (see our guide to the CPNP notification).
The Regulation provides solutions for small containers:
In practice, a carton or box solves many space problems, especially with several languages: see the options on our packaging page.
Great Britain applies the UK Cosmetics Regulation, the British version of the EU rules, so the list of particulars is very similar. The main differences for a product made in Italy:
Many brands use one label showing both the EU and the UK Responsible Person, provided each is clearly identifiable. Northern Ireland follows special rules: check them for your case. We provide the UK Responsible Person through partners.
The Regulation also requires that texts, names, trade marks and pictures do not attribute characteristics to the product that it does not have. Each Member State sets penalties for non-compliant labelling.
Our in-house designers create labels and cartons and follow them through to print. Mandatory text is checked against the regulatory documentation before the artwork is approved, so the file that goes to print already matches the formula and the PIF.
Find out more about our graphic design and labels service.
The Responsible Person, the country of origin for imported products, nominal content, date of minimum durability or PAO, precautions, batch number, function and the list of ingredients, as set out in Article 19 of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
Each Member State decides the language for nominal content, durability, precautions and function, and many require their own official language. The INCI list stays in the international nomenclature everywhere.
A date of minimum durability is needed if the product lasts 30 months or less. Beyond 30 months you show the PAO, the period the product can be used after opening.
The ingredient list can go only on the carton; if there is no space for practical reasons, precautions and ingredients can go on an enclosed leaflet, with a reference on the pack. Nominal content is not required below 5 grams or 5 millilitres.
The label needs the name and address of a UK Responsible Person, the country of origin for imported products and the particulars in English.
Artwork, mandatory text and documents prepared by the same team, with one project manager coordinating everything. Tell us about your product.
Free checklist
Choices, mandatory documents, realistic timelines and mistakes to avoid, in a 4-page PDF. What's inside
