After the holiday period, the cosmetics industry returns to ongoing projects, product launches and development activities. April is a good time to review product compliance with upcoming legal requirements, plan efficacy studies and ensure quality throughout the entire product life cycle. In this latest overview, we discuss key areas that may be particularly relevant for cosmetic manufacturers and brand owners in the coming months.
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 – New Obligations for Cosmetic Manufacturers
One of the most important regulatory topics remains Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1545, which expands the list of fragrance allergens subject to mandatory INCI declaration to approximately 80 substances.
This change has a direct impact on cosmetic manufacturers, importers and private label brand owners, as it requires a reassessment of formulations, documentation and product labelling.
New Thresholds for Fragrance Allergen Declaration
Mandatory labelling applies to concentrations of:
- 0.001% for leave-on products,
- 0.01% for rinse-off products.
Key Implementation Deadlines
- 31 July 2026 – only compliant products may be newly placed on the market,
- 31 July 2028 – full compliance required for all products already available on the market.
Adapting a product portfolio requires time, particularly in the case of extensive ranges or complex supply chains. In practice, this means early planning of raw material reviews, updates to Product Information Files (PIF) and revised packaging artwork.
Dental Supervision in the Assessment of Oral Care Products
The oral care segment continues to grow rapidly, while consumers increasingly expect both efficacy and safe use. This applies to whitening toothpastes, products for sensitive teeth, gum care formulations and mouthwashes.
For this category, dental supervision may be an important component of product testing, including professional assessment of participants’ teeth and gums.
This approach makes it possible to:
- better match the product to user needs,
- assess tolerability during use,
- identify potential irritation or hypersensitivity,
- objectively confirm claimed benefits.
For manufacturers, this means more reliable data supporting marketing claims and stronger consumer confidence.
Stability Testing – From the Laboratory to the Retail Shelf
Product stability is one of the fundamental pillars of cosmetic quality. Even an effective formulation may fail commercially if it does not maintain its physical, chemical and sensory characteristics throughout its intended shelf life.
Stability and packaging compatibility studies help determine how a product performs under various environmental and storage conditions.
Such studies may include:
- light resistance testing,
- elevated and reduced temperature studies,
- cyclic tests simulating transport and storage,
- shelf life determination,
- PAO (Period After Opening) verification,
- formula-packaging compatibility assessment.
These studies are often complemented by physicochemical and organoleptic analyses evaluating critical product attributes such as colour, odour, viscosity, homogeneity and application comfort.
Well-designed stability programmes support product development, reduce complaint risk and strengthen market readiness.
HRIPT – Upcoming Dermatological Testing Sessions
Project timelines should also consider the availability of HRIPT (Human Repeat Insult Patch Test) sessions, which remain an important element of cosmetic safety assessment.
HRIPT is designed to identify the potential for irritation and allergic reactions following repeated skin exposure. It is particularly relevant for frequently used products and formulations containing active ingredients.
Upcoming session:
- study start: 11 May
- report available: 24 June
Early sample submission helps prevent delays in launch schedules and subsequent project stages.
April is a valuable time to review cosmetic portfolios from the perspective of compliance, quality and safety. Upcoming regulatory changes, rising consumer expectations and increasing market competition make reliable laboratory testing and well-structured quality processes more important than ever.
In the coming months, key priorities will include timely regulatory adaptation, robust substantiation of marketing claims and ensuring product stability throughout the full life cycle. These are the areas that build long-term trust in cosmetic brands.