Officially established on May 1st, 2012, the ANSM replaces the previous agency, Afssaps, with the same missions, rights and obligations, though with increased prerogatives and requirements.

This overhaul has been decided to gain back the confidence of people in health products. This Agency has still the cosmetics in its area of responsibility. Its major role in this frame is to guarantee their efficiency, quality and proper use.

Therefore, it can evaluate, issue reports on the safety of cosmetic products or ingredients, send recommendations to the professionals or to the public at large, release warnings and pieces of information, conduct investigations, perform tests in laboratories, inspect manufacturing or research sites, work in coordination with the European administration to modify the regulation …

It also monitore unexpected or undesirable effects associated with their use, via the Cosmetovigilance system.

A part of its Website is dedicated to cosmetic products.