The Committee of European Ministers (the decision-making body of the European Council, comprising the Foreign Affairs Ministries of the Member-states, or their representatives) has just approved a resolution on safety criteria for cosmetic products intended for infants (i.e. children under 3.) Explanations.
This resolution has been adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 14 March 2012 at the 1137th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies. It recommends to the European governments that they adopt legislative and other measures aimed at reducing the health risks for infants, arising from exposure to cosmetic products and their ingredients.
No obligation, but a strong incentive, motivated and detailed.
Grounds
In its “Preambles”, the Committee of Ministers explains the framework of this resolution. It is important, it says in the very beginning, "that a high level of health protection should be ensured for children."
It reminds us of “the generally positive attitude towards baby products and their benefits with the resulting risk of excessive use beyond hygienic purposes, in terms of the number of products used as well as the quantity used of the individual products” and “that cosmetic products may be ingested orally by infants due to specific behaviours including sucking and licking of hands, arms and feet.”
Further, it takes into account “that various cosmetics of the “leave-on” type are applied several times every day and that their ingredients may accumulate over time and contribute to long-term toxicities that are difficult to assess,” while “recognising that …
