The European Commission has recently decided to make changes to the labelling of cosmetic gels and hydroalcoholic solutions. This will help to better differentiate cosmetic gels, which are used for hand cleaning, from biocidal gels, which can be used as a disinfectant and can therefore be useful to prevent the spread of COVID 19.
For this reason, on 23 November 2020, the AEMPS informed companies in the sector of the new labelling changes, which will take effect for all gels and hydroalcoholic solutions marketed from 30 June 2021. Do you want to know what these changes in labelling criteria consist of? Read on!
The European Commission has found that, since the start of the COVID 19 pandemic, a large number of eurozone citizens are unable to distinguish between cosmetic and biocidal hydroalcoholic gels and lotions. It has therefore proceeded to draft some changes to the labelling rules for these products. Remember that we already told you how to distinguish between the different types of hydroalcoholic hand washing gels at this post.
In Spain, the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) which is the national health authority in this field, and therefore the agency in charge of driving forward these changes in companies at national level, has for some months now been developing an informative action in relation to the changes to the labelling rules for cosmetic hydro-alcoholic gels and lotions.
With this information campaign, which has included the creation of an information portal -you can consult it at the following link-, as well as various training sessions and mailings to companies registered to their newsletters, the AEMPS hopes to ensure that all manufacturers and distributors of this type of articles update their labelling in accordance with the new developments proposed by the European Commission.
What are the main changes in the labelling of hydroalcoholic gels and lotions in cosmetics?
The text of the AEMPS information actionwhich contains the main changes proposed by the European Commissionprovides very detailed information on the types of hydroalcoholic gels and how to differentiate between them. Special emphasis is placed on the distinction between cosmetic type hydroalcoholic gels, which are mainly used for hand washing, and biocidal type hydroalcoholic gels. (healthy skin antiseptics)which are intended to disinfect the hands and therefore hinder the transmission of viruses by contact.
In addition, in Criteria for claims on hydroalcoholic hand gels in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, a comprehensive annex is published under the title Claims not to be included in cosmetic hydroalcoholic gels. In it, we find a list of what NOT to include on the labelling of these products, based on three categories: Claims
In short, there are 3 points that make a significant difference in relation to labelling.
As of 30 June, it is prohibited to indicate on the labelling...
1. Percentage (%) alcohol in the product
With the changes made by the European Commission, as of 30 June, it will no longer be permitted to indicate the percentage of alcohol on the labelling of cosmetic gels and hydroalcoholic lotions. This will make it easier not to confuse them with biocidal hydroalcoholic gels, which will have to contain this information on the labelling.
2. CLP pictograms
The new regulation for the labelling of cosmetic gels explicitly prohibits the use of CLP Pictograms on these products.
CLP Pictograms are icons used by ECHA to identify the hazards associated with chemicals. The use of these symbols is marked by the Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 - better known as the CLP Regulation.
3. Allegations relating to sanitisation
From now on, the labelling of hydro-alcoholic gels and lotions should not contain claims for sanitisation. This measure is intended to dissociate - and once again differentiate - these products from any disinfectant use, which is only attributable to biocide-type gels.
What will happen after July 2021?
As the AEMPS has recently announced in its information sessions, following the implementation of the changes to the labelling regulations for cosmetic gels and hydroalcoholic lotions, it will no longer be possible to place on the market any cosmetic gel that does not comply with the new rules. Therefore, all manufacturers and distributors of such products should adapt their labelling if they want to continue to operate in the EU market.
However, these products with outdated labelling will not yet disappear from pharmacies and shops where they are sold. Because it will be allowed to keep on the market all those cosmetic gels that have been introduced before the regulation came into force. And therefore, articles with the old and the updated labelling will coexist for some time.
Finally, once all old stocks have been used up, there will no longer be any products with the old labelling. To ensure that this is the case, the AEMPS will carry out market surveillance actions to ensure that companies do not introduce new products with non-permitted claims through market surveillance actions.
Are you still unsure about how the changes in the labelling of cosmetic gels and hydroalcoholic solutions affect you? Ask us!
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