The safety of imported cosmetics, under review

The cosmetics that we find in the European Union have to comply by law with the strictest requirements worldwide to guarantee their safety: the legislation seeks, above all, the safety of the user, and requires that the ingredients be allowed in the EU ( many admitted in other parts of the world are prohibited in the EU), that the product is stable during its lifetime, that it is manufactured under specific hygienic-sanitary conditions, that it has specific labeling, that an evaluation of the thorough safety by an expert scientist... These laws apply to products made in Europe as well as imported products.

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Very strict regulations

So how can we ensure that products from countries like Japan, China or Korea are suitable for import into our country? “On the one hand, there are legal regulations at European level that establish different controls by the Member States of the European Union of the different products that are introduced into the community market. On the other hand, focusing on cosmetic products, these are mainly regulated by a European regulation, which has been mandatory since 2013, and by a royal decree that was approved by the Spanish Government in 2018”, they tell us from OCU. “These regulations establish different conditions that must be met by all those companies that carry out specific activities of importing cosmetic products, as well as numerous requirements in terms of quality and safety of the cosmetics themselves. But, of course, as in all fields, it is essential for these regulations to be respected that there is an adequate surveillance and inspection activity, which depends on the authorities (in our country, also the regional ones) and it is possible that there are breaches ”, they explain and add that special care must be taken when these products are purchased directly through the internet, a route through which it is more complicated to ensure that these products meet the established limitations.

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Shopping in a globalized world

La seguridad de los cosméticos importados, a examen

And it is that the European cosmetics legislation is one of the strictest in the world, but, in such a globalized world, the question arises as to whether we are safe using cosmetics purchased through websites and online commerce giants. “This is precisely one of our biggest concerns. It is a fact that the online market is a risk, unfortunately not only in cosmetics. Also in other personal care products, medicines or dietary supplements, for example. It is important that the authorities are vigilant to ensure that online commerce complies with the same guarantees as physical commerce. Meanwhile, OCU recommends opting for Spanish or European Union stores and be wary of environments that do not seem safe or that do not deserve enough trust," he explains.

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Possible risks if they do not comply with the regulations

What risks can we expose ourselves to if we buy imported products that do not comply with the regulations in force in the EU? “They are diverse: presence and/or excess of unwanted ingredients, lack of information (for example, that the list of ingredients is not correctly detailed), conservation problems, presence of contaminants, etc. The main concern derives from online purchases. To mention just one example: we have recently echoed a study carried out by several European organizations together on different products purchased through different online stores. Among them were some cosmetic products, specifically tooth whiteners. Well, when analyzed, they had excessive concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (hydrogen peroxide), which can damage the gums”, they explain to us from the consumer organization. In Miin Cosmetics they add, for example, others, such as that you do not understand the labeling, mode of use or precautions, because they are not in your language or that the lists of ingredients that are shown do not follow the same EU regulations: for example, they can be shown the ingredients in a different order, not always having to be shown from highest to lowest, and may not be showing the allergens that must be included in the EU. In addition, product descriptions may not be complete or clear enough and you may therefore choose a product that is not suitable for your skin. And there is more: the transport of the product is not optimal and its quality is affected along the way (for example, excessive cold or heat can break the emulsions causing the water to separate from the oil), compromising its storage time. life or even that the product is a counterfeit.

Responsibility with the environment

Another aspect that must also be taken into account is the environmental impact of the production and development of cosmetic products. "The environmental concern of European consumers is increasing and, in fact, manufacturers are becoming more aware of this reality when, for example, dispensing with ingredients that, without necessarily being harmful to human health, may have counterproductive effects on the environment. It is a trend that, however, must be promoted, and not only as far as the content of the product is concerned. It is also important, for example, the design of more ecological packaging”, they add from OCU.

Labeling, the key to a safe purchase

Taking all this into account, what is the easiest way for the consumer to verify that a cosmetic meets the quality criteria according to European legislation? From OCU they point out that acquiring it through a store with guarantees, be it physical or online. “It is also recommended that they bear the CE marking, although this is not an absolute guarantee. Beyond these precautions, it is important that consumers develop a culture of critical thinking (and do not place false hopes on exaggerated claims) and that they become familiar with the reading and interpretation of the labeling, a task that OCU has been working on for years”. And they conclude with a recommendation: “Additionally, it is important to remember that in Spain there is a cosmetovigilance system that allows consumers to directly notify the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Health Products of an unwanted effect after the use of a cosmetic product. It is important that this system is made known: without notification of these problems, the necessary signal is often not generated for the authorities to take action.”

Amparo Violero, Product Controller of Miin Cosmetics, considers that the only way to acquire a product that complies with the demanding European regulations is, precisely, to obtain it from a European distributor. We will know if it complies with European legislation through labeling. "If the product does not present a label with the name and address of the Responsible Person in Europe, text in the official language of your member country, a list of ingredients with INCI nomenclature... the product is most likely not legal tender in Europe, that is, that it has not gone through the controls that we have mentioned.The labeling is also important, because it usually contains indications and precautions for the correct use of the products in your own language, so that you can easily understand it. both you and any health personnel who care for you in the event of an unwanted adverse reaction. Do not play it: without the correct European label, it is better to abstain!", he adds.

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