The claims made on cosmetic product labels (and on all communication media, for that matter!) are clearly governed by European cosmetics regulations. They must be proven and justified in the Product Information Dossier (PIF) of the cosmetic product being developed. Estelle Dehier, from Labosphère, explains.
Between proof of the claim, misleading claims, etc… some bad habits die hard! You only have to look at the inspection reports of the control authorities to see that!
It should also be remembered in passing that claims on a so-called ‘cosmetic’ product can change its status. This is true for Europe (the product may be considered a Medical Device or a Medicine) as well as internationally (Quasi Drug, OTC, medical device, etc.).
For the person responsible for placing the product on the market, this implies different registration and/or certification procedures, or even a marketing ban.
Take the example of claims relating to the presence of an active ingredient in a product.
We still see far too many development specifications in which the evaluation of the efficacy of the finished product is not taken into account. Many customers still think that the dossiers for the objectification of the active ingredients selected for the development of their product are sufficient.
Not so! It is not enough to consider the percentage of the active ingredient in the formulation for the product to be effective. The galenic formulation developed, the pH, the frequency of use of the product… can optimise or, on the …