Regulatory requirements for determining cosmetic products claims – Regulation, self-regulation and excessive regulation regimens

Regulatory requirements for determining cosmetic products claims – Regulation, self-regulation and excessive regulation regimens

Oral presentation

Anna Miteva1,2, Emanuil Yordanov1, Emil Hristov1
1Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Bulgaria
2Bulgarian national association “Essential oils, Perfumery and Cosmetics”

Cosmetic product claims are crucially important tool when it comes to properly informing the consumer about the products qualities and action while ensuring informed decision making. According to Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, claims are, text, names, trademarks, pictures and figures or other signs. Claims used shall not be used to characteristics or functions that cosmetic products do not possess. The aim of the study is to analyze the applicable regulatory requirements regarding cosmetic claims. Secondary objective - to define the need to introduce a unified practical guide for cosmetic claims into the normative practice. A guide of this kind will have normative significance and it will be recognized both by the national competent authorities and the responsible persons in Bulgaria. Materials and methods: We have conducted a content analysis and a documentary analysis of the regulatory provisions at European and at national level in order to outline the current regulatory framework for cosmetic claims in the Republic of Bulgaria. We upgraded the analyzes with 2 questionnaire surveys. Study No. 1 - Analysis of the current regulatory framework and establishing the presence of applicable legal and non-legal documents for cosmetic claims in the EU member states. Study No. 2 - Analysis of the current problems faced by responsible persons in Bulgaria in relation to cosmetic claims. Results and discussion: The regulatory prerequisitions for determining the claims of cosmetic products have not been studied and researched exhaustively. We have found different practices in the interpretation of cosmetic claims in EU member states. Cosmetic associations in the EU consider the creation of additional regulatory documents and
Keywords: Cosmetic products, claims, regulation