Newsroom Cosmetics & tattoos
Essential oils in cosmetics: EDQM publishes revised guidance with best practices for safety assessment
The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) has published the second edition of “Guidance on essential oils in cosmetic products” to help ensure the safety of cosmetic products in line with European and national cosmetic legislative frameworks. Cosmetic products are...
Making a significant difference – 2023 EDQM annual report published in new engaging digital format
The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) of the Council of Europe has published its 2023 annual report. For the first time, the report is completely digital, with a new, intuitive design and interactive features, facilitating your discovery journey and making it...
EDQM reports presence of banned substances in skin whitening products
The European Network of Official Cosmetics Control Laboratories (OCCLs) recently conducted a surveillance study on skin whitening products available on the European market. Their analysis found that 18% of the products tested were non-compliant due to the presence of hydroquinone, mercury and/or...
Cosmetics – Joint meeting of OCCL Network and CD-P-COS
The 13th meeting of the Network of Official Cosmetics Control Laboratories (OCCLs) was held in Strasbourg on 19 and 20 March 2024. This joint session brought together network members and experts from the European Committee for Cosmetics and Consumer Health (CD-P-COS). Participants from 26...
EDQM publishes market surveillance study on formaldehyde in cosmetic products
A market surveillance study conducted by the European Network of Official Cosmetics Control Laboratories (OCCLs) has found formaldehyde in approximately 30% of the products tested. Formaldehyde is a skin sensitiser and presumed carcinogen. Its use in cosmetic products is prohibited by European...
Safe cosmetics for young children – Second edition provides state-of-the-art guidance on cosmetic products for infants and young children
Soda or shampoo? Candy or soap? Young children can easily mistake certain cosmetics or even their packaging for foodstuff based on their perfume, appearance, form, colour or size. Ingesting the chemicals contained in such products is dangerous and small parts can easily be swallowed and may cause...
2022 Highlights – EDQM annual report now available
The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) has published its 2022 annual report, providing a comprehensive overview of its activities and achievements, and putting select data on the present state of EDQM/Council of Europe public health initiatives at your...
EDQM OCCL study reports low compliance of “kids’ cosmetics”
A study by the European Network of Official Cosmetics Control Laboratories (OCCLs) indicates that “kids’ cosmetics” continue to fail to comply with European quality and safety regulations, finding that 25% of samples were non-compliant with legislative requirements. Decorative cosmetics,...
The Council of Europe appoints future EDQM Director
The Council of Europe has appointed Petra Dörr, PhD, as future Director of the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM). She will take over the function from the current Director, Susanne Keitel, in October 2021. Petra Dörr comes to the EDQM with more than 25 years of...
New method for determination of polar N-nitrosamines in cosmetic products
The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) has published an analytical method for the determination of polar N-nitrosamines in cosmetic products, which was validated within the European Network of Official Cosmetics Control Laboratories (OCCLs). The method is...
EDQM reports presence of allergenic fragrances in cosmetics sold as “perfume-free”
A study by the European Network of Official Cosmetics Control Laboratories (OCCLs) indicates that some cosmetic products sold throughout Europe still contain excessive levels of allergy-inducing fragrances. Results showed that 7.7% of samples were non-compliant with legislative requirements due...
Ten years at the service of consumer safety in Europe: over 600 analytical methods for cosmetics testing, 20 studies, 50 laboratories and more expected to join
The experts of the European Committee for Cosmetics and Consumer Health (CD-P-COS) and the members of the Network of Official Cosmetics Control Laboratories (OCCLs) held a virtual meeting on 22 and 23 June to define steps for advancing consumer protection in Europe and for reinforcing...
EDQM launches a new HelpDesk
As part of its efforts to improve customer service, the EDQM has developed a streamlined version of its HelpDesk and FAQs platform. The new HelpDesk was redesigned on the basis of feedback received from users and now benefits from a more intuitive interface, which is expected to enhance customer...
EDQM reports issues of non-compliance with tooth whitening products
The quality of tooth whiteners and whitening strips was assessed in a Market Surveillance Study carried out in 12 European countries and completed in 2018 by the network of Official Cosmetics Control Laboratories (OCCLs), coordinated by the EDQM. The findings, based on the testing of 261 samples...