More and more countries outside Europe are emulating European Regulation 1223/2009, and one could dream of harmonized cosmetics regulations all around the world. But between mere, sometimes ill-adapted copies, and other clumsy initiatives, things are not that easy! FEBEA’s International Regulatory Affairs Manager Anne-Marie Breton did a world tour of the issue on an afternoon of conferences the Federation dedicated to the matter last April 13, 2015.
Should we talk about scattering? Contamination? Contagion? One thing is certain: the Regulation is spreading all over the world, and its text is being adapted or reused in an increasing number of countries outside Europe.
If the first reaction is to rejoice at this, because it might help smooth away regulation differences, which are always tough to manage, one quickly realizes this does involve a few problems (too).
Anne-Marie Breton started straight away with one of them: the provisions laid down in the Cosmetics Regulation were intended to be applied in a free trade area. So when they are adopted without any modifications in a country that is not part of any of these areas, some of them can prove quite hard to implement!
Copies
A few countries have already aligned with the Cosmetics Regulation, such as Israel and Turkey.
Israel
The reference text is ‘The pharmacists’ Regulations’ (cosmetics), the latest version of which dates back to 2013. It has not yet been reviewed by the Israeli Parliament, as the Knesset was renewed following the legislative elections last March 17, 2015.
But the text is already partially applied, in particular as far as the PIF and the requirements regarding product …
