The Cosmetics Directive is the overall piece of EC legislation that regulates
the manufacture and placing on the market of cosmetic products. Its main aim is
to ensure that cosmetics are not harmful under normal or foreseeable conditions
of use. Adopted by the European Union in 1976, it has since been substantially
revised 7 times.
The EU Cosmetics Directive has been amended almost 50 times since 1976 to
improve the content of the text. The Commission has launched a stakeholder
consultation to collect comments, views and suggestions on a future modern
regulatory framework for cosmetic products placed on the EU-market.
