{"id":4990,"date":"2025-11-06T09:34:39","date_gmt":"2025-11-06T09:34:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cosmeticseurope.eu\/?post_type=news-events&p=4990"},"modified":"2025-11-13T10:11:48","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T10:11:48","slug":"council-misses-opportunity-to-tackle-unnecessary-administrative-burden-stemming-from-the-cosmetic-products-regulation","status":"publish","type":"news-events","link":"https:\/\/cosmeticseurope.eu\/news-events\/council-misses-opportunity-to-tackle-unnecessary-administrative-burden-stemming-from-the-cosmetic-products-regulation\/","title":{"rendered":"Council misses opportunity to tackle unnecessary administrative burden stemming from the Cosmetic Products Regulation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Brussels, 6 November 2025 \u2013 The Council of the European Union’s General Approach on the Chemicals Omnibus (Omnibus VI) Regulation has missed the chance to simplify provisions of the Cosmetics Products Regulation and tackle long-lasting competitiveness hurdles identified by the industry while maintaining the highest consumer safety standards. This outcome risks undoing progress towards a clearer and more predictable system. The cosmetics, fragrance and essential oil industries are deeply concerned by this outcome.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cConsumer protection is the foundation of trust and our industry\u2019s reputation for excellence,\u201d said Alexander Mohr, President of the International Fragrance Association (IFRA)<\/strong>. \u201cThe Commission\u2019s proposal reduced unnecessary burdens without compromising safety. Despite what they might claim<\/a>, the Council\u2019s position misses that balance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Council\u2019s position reinstates unnecessary red tape. There is a lack of coherence between the EU\u2019s ambitions to increase competitiveness and the Council\u2019s hesitance to support effective simplification. We regret this lost opportunity to better ensure safe ingredients and products stay on the market” added John Chave, Director General of Cosmetics Europe<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are in a critical phase where companies are constantly reformulating their products while we should instead incentivise companies to invest in Europe. It is therefore necessary to have the right regulatory framework in place to ensure long term business planning.\u201d pointed out Andrea Maltagliati, Secretary-General of the European Federation for Cosmetic Ingredients (EFfCI)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cosmetics, fragrance and essential oils industries are particularly worried about the Council approach on the provisions on the derogation procedure and related timelines under Article 15 of the Cosmetic Products Regulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council\u2019s approach to the provisions on the derogation procedure for ingredients classified by hazard fails to clarify and simplify the process, leaving the system unworkable. It could lead to the removal of many safe and long-used ingredients from the market. Additionally, some derogation criteria remain insurmountable, notably the requirement to prove the absence of suitable alternatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council\u2019s proposed six-month transition for placing products on the market and twelve months for sale are insufficient for the industry and in particular for SMEs. They will create market disruptions and risk forcing companies to destroy safe products, contradicting EU circular economy goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor many Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), these timelines are impossible,\u201d SMEunited<\/strong> said. \u201cThey would cause waste, lost investments, and supply-chain disruption.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur sector is mostly composed of small producers and family-owned companies; we need to make sure that this derogation process and timelines are manageable for all\u201d, said Andrey Mitov, President of the European Federation of Essential Oils (EFEO)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis Omnibus is of critical importance for the essential oil industry worldwide as Europe is often taken as an example for the rest of the world. We must ensure that the legislation is proportionate, effective and tailored to the needs of the sector,\u201d said Catherine Crowley, Member of the Executive Committee of the International Federation of Essential Oils and Aroma Trades (IFEAT)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mark Smith, Director General of the International Natural and Organic Cosmetics Association (NATRUE)<\/strong> said,  \u201cThe Council General Approach on the Chemicals Omnibus risks to retain European consumer from access to products they trust, including natural and organic cosmetic products.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The associations call for swift and ambitious regulation simplification to address regulatory burden impacting the cosmetics, fragrance and essential oil industries. We urge policymakers to align with a balanced proposal\u2014one that maintains consumer safety, supports innovation, and provides workable criteria and timelines for industry. Only such an approach will preserve competitiveness while ensuring safe, sustainable products remain available to consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Co-signatories (alphabetical order)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n