Decalogue for interpretation of the cosmetic label

The cosmetic products follow rules given by the competent authorities of the countries where commercialise. The first aim of these normative is to guarantee the security and the protection of the human health.One of the guarantees of security and protection of the consumer is the right to the information on the cosmetic product. This information communicates mainly through the labeling of the product. For this, the labeling of the cosmetic products has to transmit the ruled information in his container so that it was readable and visible. It fits to highlight the importance that it has to be, also, comprehensible for the consumer.The labeling of the cosmetic products contributes a lot of information. In this article go to see how interpret each point for a suitable use. Before continuing reading, take a cosmetic product, and go to identify the different elements of the labeling!To shell the different parts that compose the labeling of a cosmetic will centre us in the clear-cut points in the European regulation. In this sense, his bases are applicable in diverse countries out of the European Union. Although no in all the countries are comparables, treats of a reference in the field regulatory global.The sections that has to contain the labeling of the cosmetic products, that for the commercialised in the European Union are subjects to the article 19 of the Regulation 1233/2009, are the following:1. Name or social reason and direction of the "Responsible Person"This is the information about the person or company that holds responsible of the commercialisation of the product. This figure is used to to be the manufacturer, the importing or the manager of the brand.If because of the size of the container is necessary to abbreviate these data, equally has to possibly the correct identification of the company.Although it is not usual, can appear several directions. In these cases, it is necessary to know that the "Responsible Person" is the one who appears highlighted, for example, underlined.2. Country of origin The country of origin indicates usually entered by "Made in…".Sometimes it does not include , this is due to that only it is compulsory in cosmetic products that matter , although in the practice, usually, adds .3. Nominal contentIt can appear indicated in shape of weight or volume.There are exceptions in which we can find us that it does not present the nominal content in the labeling, without being wrong. The containers that contain less than 5g or 5ml, the free samples and the monodosis can do without this point. Besides, for the products commercialised like group of units neither will be necessary, whenever it indicate the number of units.4. Date of minimum lengthIt is important to know this data before using a product. It treats of the date until which the cosmetic will follow fulfilling his initial function and will keep on being sure for the human health. In definite, what understand by expiration date. This term will be guaranteeed as long as the product was stored properly, and use in the normal or reasonably predictable conditions of use.The date of minimum length composes of the month and the year, and goes preceded of the sentence «use preferably before the end of …» or of the symbol.No always we will see this date in the labeling. If the date of minimum length is greater to thirty months, will not be compulsory to indicate it and will add the PAO. This term indicates also by means of a symbol.The PAO is the term after the opening during which the product is safe The labeling can not containing these data referents to the period of use. This happens when it can justify that the product does not deteriorate over time. For example, in the products of an alone use, that by definition will consume after his opening.5. Particular cautions of employmentThe information that comprehend this point can identify in the labeling so much in the way of employment as in the warnings of use.The way of employment sometimes doesn't appear in the label. This is due to that it can give off of the presentation, name or format, of the product. Therefore, for example, in a lipstick does not indicate which is the form of application.The warnings of use have to include when any of the ingredients that contains the product requires it. For example, if the product contains the ingredient Strontium Hydroxide, whose use remains restricted in the Regulation 1223/2009, has to include the following texts of the conditions of employment and warnings: Keep out of the reach of children and Avoid the contact with the eyes. Also, it is possible to include warnings, although it was not forcing of any of his ingredients. For example, the cautions associated to the type of product, such as, to the risk of shampoo go in in the eyes and irritate , can consider add the warning "Avoid the contact with the eyes".6. Number of batchIt is a code of numbers and/or letters that allows to identify the cosmetic product, and carry out his trazabilidad.7. FunctionThe function has to be clearly defined in the labeling.As we saw when speaking of the way of employment, when it do not fit doubt of which is through the presentation of the product, the function can not appearing explicitly.8. IngredientsThe list of ingredients is preceded of the word "Ingredients".With regard to his nomenclature,The ingredients write in the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI), this is a nomenclature unified that it employs inside Europe and in other numerous countries.The ingredients that indicate with the letters CI followed of numbers are colourant.CI are the acronyms of Colour Index."Parfum" And "Aroma" are the names that indicate the presence of perfumes or flavours, respectively.The presence of (nano) in the listing of ingredients indicates that it treats of an ingredient in shape of nanomaterial.Regarding his order,The order in which they indicate the ingredients in the listing is declining according to his concentration. The ingredients underneath of 1% don't have to be necessarily in order of concentration. Likewise, also they can indicate at the end of the listing the colorantes that are not allocated to dye the peel.Besides, in the decorative cosmetic products commercialised with different nuances of colours, will be able to mention the group of the colorantes used in the range, preceded of the words "can contain" or the symbol "+/-".In addition to the previous points, exists a system of symbols.9. SymbolsIn the first place, the already mentioned, related with the date of minimum length. Date of minimum length Period after the opening Also we can find us, Attached information In the cases of products that do not present only in a container (for example, pot), and are contained to his time in a packaging (for example, box), the points commented up to now have to go so much in the container as in the packaging, to exception of the listing of ingredients that can appear only in the packaging.When this was not possible, the particular cautions of employment and the listing of ingredients will be able to include only in one of the labelings, but will be necessary to include the symbol of "Information attaches or joined". In concrete, the symbol appears as follows: in the container or the packaging, where do not appear the cautions, if it treats of this element; or in the packaging, if it treats of the listing of ingredients. Nominal content It is not a specific symbol cosmetic, and although the majority of the products include it, isn't compulsory. It adds when the product packs following one of the systems of existent statistical control, with the end to guarantee the accuracy of the quantity of product packed.There are many other symbols that include in the labeling with the end to contribute information of different type, go to see some to continuation:In relation with the container and his recycling: Circle of Möbius It indicates that the packaging is made with materials that can be recycled. If it appears surrounded by a circle means that they have used material recycled. Types of containers of plasticEach symbol corresponds with a type of plastic material, with them indicates the type of plastic used for the container. Green pointThis symbol indicates that it belongs to an Integrated System of Management, by means of which the containers go to be managed like waste and recycled properly.In relation with the environment and the origin of the ingredients: Natural and organic certificationThere are seals on compliance on the fulfillment and follow-up of norms related with the natural and organic cosmetic. Under his standards, different companies manage these certificates that can see reflected by means of stamps in the labeling of the products, between them Ecocert or Natrue. ISO 16128Another waty to include a reference on the natural or organic composition of the product is the international norm ISO 16128. We can find us in the labeling this reference accompanied of the information on the percentage of natural or organic content of the product, which will mean that the calculation of this percentage bases in this standard.Other references that can contain the cosmetic products: National code of Parapharmacy - C.N. ######This code composed of the acronyms C.N. Followed of a numerical code, is a system of identification that requests on a voluntary basis to facilitate the management of the offices of pharmacy in the acquisition of the products of parapharmacy.To conclude this decalogue, the last point are the claims.10. ClaimsThe claims are the texts, denominations, marks, images or any another symbol, with which attributes to the characteristic product or functions.In Europe, the claims have to fulfil the article 20 of the Regulation 1223/2009. As well as, the Regulation 655/2013 by which establish the common criteria to which have to answer the relative claims to the cosmetic products.The claims have to allow the taking of decisions informed to the hour to choose a product that fulfil some needs and expectations.Some examples of included claims in the labeling of cosmetic products that they can require interpretation are the following: Dermatologically testedThis affirmation involves that the product has been tested in humans under the supervision of a dermatologist. HypoallergenicThis claim indicates that the cosmetic has designed to minimise his potential allergenic and that exist data that back it. It does not guarantee the complete absence of risk of allergic reaction.These are the 10 key points with which can interpret the labeling of a cosmetic. The reading of the labels with a correct interpretation is indispensable to know and comprise the information of the product, as well as to be able to guarantee the security and protection.

Decalogue for interpretation of the cosmetic label

What should we consider when interpreting the labelling of a cosmetic product?

María Cid Hervella

Regulatory & Quality Assurance Manager in cosmeticsinMind