Systems are in place to monitor the safety of cosmetics even after they have been fully tested and put on the market. The process is known as ‘cosmetovigilance’ and is set out in the Cosmetic Products Regulation. Under cosmetovigilance rules, companies must collect and assess all reports on adverse health effects, and where necessary take appropriate action to ensure the safety of the product. Any serious undesirable effects must be reported to the Responsible Person and the relevant authorities. The competent authority in the member state where the undesirable effect occurred must then inform the equivalent authorities in other member states.
Systems are in place to monitor the safety of cosmetics even after they have been fully tested and put on the market. The process is known as ‘cosmetovigilance’ and is set out in the Cosmetic Products Regulation. Under cosmetovigilance rules, companies must collect and assess all reports on adverse health effects, and where necessary take appropriate action to ensure the safety of the product. Any serious undesirable effects must be reported to the Responsible Person and the relevant authorities. The competent authority in the member state where the undesirable effect occurred must then inform the equivalent authorities in other member states.
If the serious effects are reported to the competent authority of the member state by end users or health professionals, the competent authority must pass this information to the authorities in other member states as well as the Responsible Person.
Cosmetovigilance means the safety of cosmetic products is monitored throughout Europe.
In addition to being a part of the cosmetovigilance process, competent authorities also proactively monitor the safety of products. They do this by checking products and monitoring the companies that manufacture, market and sell them. This process is managed through the product information file, and is supplemented by physical and laboratory checks. Member states also have an obligation to monitor compliance with good manufacturing practices.