After four long years in the process of change, Finally, the laws that govern how cosmetic products are sold in Europe are about to tighten up. In a bid to create customer awareness and better transparency, new tighter EU rules will be enforced ensuring that manufacturers impart clear information that has an emphasis on the safety and efficacy of the product.
The new laws will come into effect this summer, manufacturers of cosmetic products will be asked to clearly state under new guidelines the possible side effects of any product as well as the inclusion of any nano-materials which are frequently used in cosmetic products that are sun protection products.
I’m particularly pleased to see that under new regulations companies that make claims, and some times even (exaggerated claims) about their products, such as ‘wrinkles appear reduced’, will be expected to prove the validity of their statements by using six separate criteria, including considerations of honesty and fairness.
In a recent informationdaily.com article ‘Enterprise Europe Network Midlands (EEN), the European Union’s sounding board for small and medium sized businesses (SMEs), warned that these guidelines apply to any and all internationally manufactured products which are sold in the EU.
This is not the first major overhaul in safety and transparency, earlier this year Sir Bruce Keogh unveiled plans to reform the cosmetic interventions industry after 50,000 women were left stranded after a health fraud crisis which involved the faulty manufacturing of breast implants that contained ingredients not fit for the human body.
The new EU rules have been introduced for safety reasons, and also to better inform people buying cosmetic products, I fully advocate that EU governing laws have a duty to ensure that consumers are being treated honestly and transparently in their choices, there have been far too many examples lately of greedy commercial exploitation targeting the vulnerable consumer.
I have seen this mainly with skin related products such as acne ‘cure’ claims, and anti-ageing products claiming the eradication of wrinkles and facial lines with a simple tube or jar of cream, what is worse is that the national general media will often ‘piggy back’ on unsubstantiated claims of cosmetic products, thus leading the unsuspecting public into believing that the product is a ‘must-have’ simply because it was featured on a national media platform.
Scientific evidence, extensive trials and thorough patient evaluation through isolated case studies are the true difference between an effective product or just marketing ‘hype’. I am glad that finally we are about to see a new dawn in transparency, and I hope and pray that once again the manufacturers won’t find another crafty way to ‘bend the rules’, although I won’t hold my breath on that one.
Antonia Mariconda also known as 'The Cosmedic Coach' is a health and beauty writer and expert. Antonia is recognised as a leading authority on health, beauty, aesthetic medicine, and cosmetic surgery in the UK.
