A "distributor" of a cosmetic product is precisely defined in the Cosmetics Regulation (Regulation 1223/2009 – implemented in full on 11 July 2013).
After the Article 2 of the Cosmetics Regulation , a distributor is "any natural or legal person in the supply chain, other than the manufacturer or the importer, who makes a cosmetic product available on the Community market".
The distributor may be the responsible person:
• where he places a cosmetic product on the market under his name or trademark,
• where he modifies a product already placed on the market in such a way that compliance with the applicable requirements may be affected. The translation of information relating to a cosmetic product already placed on the market shall not be considered as a modification of that product of such a nature that compliance with the applicable requirements of the Regulation may be affected.
Also see
• The
Responsible person sheet
, in the Cosmetic glossary
• The
Cosmetics Regulation: The Responsible Person
article, in
The Cosmetics Regulation
file, on Pro Section.