The week will be split into two events – the second International, Scientific and Regulatory Conference; “Cosmetics at the Crossroads of Science and Regulation”, and the Cosmetics Europe Forum on Day 3 with the theme “Science, Beauty and Care: Delivering Innovation and Growth the EU”.
Scheduled for 16th – 19th June in Brussels, the event will look again at key developments that directly impact global cosmetics legislation across the value chain.
According to the personal care trade association, it will act as a platform for an international audience to connect, interact and exchange views and ultimately create networking and business opportunities for all stakeholders interested in the cosmetics and personal care industry.
Cosmetics Europe represents more than 4,000 companies throughout the EU via the active representation of its member national associations.
Last year's focus included nanotechnology
Last year’s Cosmetics Europe week seen 300 participants from 48 countries gather to discuss the scientific and regulatory landscape of the cosmetics industry.
Then, the EC’s deputy director general for consumers had urged the industry to think about how nanotechnology is being presented to the consumer that already perceives nanomaterials as ‘inherently problematic’.
At a nano focused workshop guided by EC Policy Officer Giulia Ciarlo, the deputy director, Martin Seychell that avoiding the stigmatisation of nanomaterials cannot be addressed by regulators alone.
“Having an innovative technology is no guarantee of public acceptance,” Mr Seychell informed the room of cosmetic professionals.
Nanomaterials are already applied to numerous products today in order to equip them with additional properties. The use of silver ions is widespread in consumer products such as cosmetics, food and textiles due to their antimicrobial properties.
Despite the benefits of nanomaterials (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are used as UV filters in sunscreen, for example, and are said to have a high level of efficacy) there is continuing debate, even in 2015, as to whether they could pose health risks to consumers.