Press Release: What’s in and what are the undesirable effects of your cosmetic product? From now on you can ask to the manufacturer

Some cosmetic products may have undesirable effects and can, for example, cause allergic reactions. This is why the Commission has issued guidelines established together with Member States and stakeholders to allow more access to information for the public. According to European Commission guidelines published on 28 August 2006, consumers now have the choice between writing to the company at the address mentioned on the package, to phone them or to post a question on their website. In order to facilitate public access to the relevant product information, industry has created a central public directory of companies placing cosmetic products on the EU market. Producers are obliged to inform customers upon their request on undesirable effects that may have been reported to them regarding their products. A second obligation for producers is to inform consumers on quantitative and qualitative composition of cosmetic products. Member States have to ensure that companies fulfil those obligations.