Cosmetics - Introduction
The European cosmetics industry is
| - | a world leader, with a value of output of more than 35 billion €. |
| - | highly innovative: on average, major cosmetic companies replace or reformulate around 25% of their products every year. |
| - | a significant employer: over 150.000 Europeans are employed directly; a further 350.000 jobs are created indirectly in retail, distribution and transport. |
Cosmetic products are also important consumer products: apart from "traditional" cosmetic products, such as make-up and perfumes, it also includes products for personal hygiene, for example tooth-care products, shampoos and soaps.
The main regulatory framework which aims at ensuring the free circulation of cosmetic products in the internal market and safeguarding the safety of cosmetic products placed on the EU-market is the Council
Directive 76/768 of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws of the
Member States relating to cosmetic products ("Cosmetics Directive").
The unit Cosmetics
and Medical
Devices, at the European Commission/ Directorate
General Enterprise and Industry is in charge not only of
competitiveness issues of the European industry but also of administering
the Cosmetics Directive and supervising its correct implementation.
European Commission - Enterprise and Industry Directorate General - Consumer goods - Cosmetics - Last update :