The Compliance for Cosmetic Manufactures Summit will solely focus on the implementation of the Cosmetic Products Regulation, understanding the financial & time impact it will have on businesses as well as developing a practical strategy for on-going compliance.
“Many in the industry are still confused over the exact wording of the regulation, as well as a vast number of those affected not being aware of the lengths they need to go to – a problem that will linger long past 11th July 2013,” the organisers stated.
They also further commented that along with tightening safety controls and information on products, there is also a severe cost implication of becoming compliant that needs to be considered.
Updated Regulation
Last month Cosmetics Regulation which was adopted in 2009 finally went into complete action replacing the Cosmetics Directive of 1976 that used to rule cosmetics products in the European Union.
Some parts of the new Regulation have already been in force, but the major portion entered into effect on July 11, with the major aims focusing on health protection, animal protection and consumer protection
“For the first time, the world’s largest personal care market of more than 500 million consumers will be served by a single, harmonised piece of legislation, directly applicable in all the Member States of the European Union,” comments Bertil Heerink, director-general of Cosmetics Europe, the personal care trade association.
The new regulation should make enforcement easier and put greater confidence in cosmetics products available.
Some of the main changes will see safety requirements strengthened for cosmetic products, centralized notification of all cosmetic products placed on the EU market, the introduction of reporting of serious undesirable effects, new rules for the use of nanomaterials in cosmetic products, and the introduction of the notion of 'responsible person'.
Summit programme to clear up any confusion..
According to the event’s organisers, the agenda will not only have cosmetics trade speakers, but also give delegates the opportunity to hear from adjacent industries that will impact them, including advertising bodies, regulatory enforcement specialists and legal experts.
Garrett Moran Director of Product Safety at Oriflame is one of the speakers due to address the safety assessment and management concerns facing SMEs with respect to the new Regulation.
Moran will also share his insights on the impact of the new regulation on budgets and sourcing expertise, as well as whether the new EU regulation will become the gold standard for the rest of the cosmetics industry.
Other topics to be covered are to include;
- How will the industry suffer given that no new animal tested materials can be used?
- How will those responsible for monitoring and upholding advertising standards approach the issue?
- How will the increased cost of safety assessments, labelling updates and data management filter through to the consumer?
- With talk of a new update already on the horizon, what can we expect from the EU Commission in coming years?
- What do the leaders in the industry see as the biggest challenges for the industry going forward?