Terviseamet

On April 20th of 2004 the Government Regulation No 32 ’’The labelling requirements for cosmetic products’’ was adopted.

Labelling of cosmetic products
The symbol of an opened cosmetic cream jar provides directions for the safe use of cosmetic products. Symbol represented by an opened cream jar is regulated with the Regulation (EC) No 76/768 of the European Parliament and of the Council corrigendum, which is adopted in February, 2003. This would mean that since 11 March 2005 indication of the date of minimum durability shall not be mandatory for the cosmetic products with a minimum durability of more than 30 months.

Otherwise, there should be an indication of the period of time after opening for which the cosmetic product can be used without any harm to the consumers health. The symbol of an opened cream jar is used for this purpose. The period of safe use in months shall be marked inside the jar or in the close proximity thereof. The amount of months shall be given in numbers, followed by the letter “M”. The great advantage of that kind of labelling is that the customers are better informed about the quality of cosmetic products which can change after opening, because any changes in quality of an cosmetic product can have harmful effects for health. For instance the symbol of an opened cream jar with addition 12 M on toothpaste package means, that the product is useable for another 12 months.

Although this symbol and it’s accompanying text size is not defined, the labelling on the packaging shall be visible, legible and undeletable.

This new labelling is not required for:

• products not at risk of deterioration;
• products which shall not be opened (sprays);
• single-use products.

Consumer information
Where it is impossible to label the information as provided, the information shall be mentioned on an encloser or attached leaflet, label, tape, tag or card. This information shall be referred to by abbreviated information or the symbol, which must appear on the container or package.

There are a list of the substances authorised for use in cosmetic products and internationally recognised nomenclature - the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI). The list of ingredients shall be preceded by the term ’’Ingredients’’.

The list of ingredients consisting of ingredients in concentrations greater than 1% shall be established in descending order of weight of the ingredients at the time they are added to the cosmetic product.

Ingredients in concentrations of less than 1 % may be listed in any order after those listed above. In case of cosmetic products containing substances, which can cause allergy, this information should enable to avoid the use of cosmetic products which you do not tolerate.