A cosmetic product is only as safe as its ingredients. Ingredient compliance is the first step in the regulatory journey. Before you even formulate, you must verify that every raw material is permitted for use in the EU.
Raw Material Verification
Every ingredient must be checked against the Annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009:
- Annex II: Prohibited substances (over 1,600 banned ingredients).
- Annex III: Restricted substances (allowed only within certain limits or conditions).
- Annex IV, V, VI: Allowed colorants, preservatives, and UV filters.
The Role of MSDS
The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is a crucial document provided by your raw material supplier. It contains vital information on hazards, handling, and composition. However, for a CPSR, an MSDS is often not enough; you also need a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) and specific allergen declarations.
Impurity Testing
Even safe ingredients can contain dangerous impurities (e.g., heavy metals in mineral pigments, or traces of solvents in plant extracts).Ingredient verification involves reviewing technical data sheets to ensure these impurities are below safe limits.
Ingredient Review Service
Unsure about a new active ingredient? We can perform a preliminary regulatory review before you commit to purchasing. Ask our experts.
This process is foundational to the CPSR.