New EU cosmetic products regulation
To simplify the legal framework for economic activities in the EU, the Cosmetics Directive was recently reviewed in the form of a recast which codifies the legislative text and its amendments and introduces substantive improvements. The new Cosmetic Products Regulation, EU Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, was adopted on November 30, 2009.
A regulation is a legislative act of the European Union which becomes immediately enforceable as law in all Member States simultaneously.Regulations are self-executing and do not require any implementing measures.
With the recast of the EU Cosmetics Directive, the thousands ofpages of legal text are replaced by one single regulation representing a common European code of law.
With this new Cosmetics Regulation, the European Union reinforces product safety taking into consideration the latest technological developments.
The main improvements are:
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The harmonization of notification provisions in a central digital platform to replace all existing national notification procedures.
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The enhanced coordination of market surveillance activities, reinforcement of responsibilities along the supply chain, and clearer provisions for the content and format of product safety assessments and product information files (PIF).
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All the data on cosmetic products obtained from the notification procedures will be electronically forwarded to the national competent authorities for market surveillance and consumer information; and provided to poison centers to inform the public of appropriate medical treatments in case of adverse reactions.
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The responsibilities of the actors in the supply chain will be clearly defined and assigned to a responsible person.
The key deadlines for the entry into force of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 are:
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January 11, 2010: Entry into force
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July 11, 2013: Effective application of the majority of the regulation provisions (replacing EU Directive 76/768/EEC)