Supporting international cooperation

Benefits of international regulatory convergence

Complex regulations that vary from region to region risk making the European cosmetics and personal care industry less competitive globally. Regulations that are inconsistent and fragmented push up costs, increase red tape and limit market access. Greater convergence can boost innovation, increase safety and improve trust and confidence amongst consumers, regulators and other stakeholders.

Cosmetics Europe works with regulators, associations and other partners across the globe to promote regulatory convergence. In particular, we work to reduce technical barriers to trade and to establish legal requirements that are compatible with each other. We encourage other countries and regions to align the principles of their legislation with international best practices, which are also followed by the EU Cosmetic Products Regulation. Many emerging markets have done this, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Russia, Latin America and China.

International Cooperation on Cosmetics Regulation (ICCR)

The International Cooperation on Cosmetics Regulation (ICCR) is a group of cosmetics regulatory authorities with members from Canada, Chinese Taipei, the European Union, Israel, Japan, Republic of Korea, and the United States. Cosmetics Europe is one of ten industry trade associations participating in its work. The ICCR maximises consumer protection by promoting regulatory convergence, while minimising barriers to trade.

Achievements to date include a number of joint statements on topics including international standards, product preservation and allergens. These and other publications are available on the ICCR website.

Current priority areas

Cosmetics Europe’s priority is to facilitate our members’ access to and presence in international markets. Our work focuses on ensuring the compatibility of global cosmetics regulations to address systemic regulatory issues and emerging barriers that disrupt business operations. We aim to minimise international regulatory incompatibilities and promote convergence in areas not yet covered by cosmetics regulations.

Our actions include:

  • Proactive engagement. We address cosmetics frameworks that diverge from good regulatory practices and proactively tackle emerging regulatory barriers.
  • Collaborative actions. We engage with local trade associations, leverage bilateral discussions, and join forces with industries in other countries to address cross-sectorial barriers.
  • Strategic decision-making. We prioritise issues based on their origin, their impact on business, the risks of market fragmentation and spreading, and the likelihood of success. Our decisions are informed by the importance of the country, existing relationships, and potential disruptions to the supply chain.
  • Influencing EU debates. We bring international perspectives to the EU debate, ensuring that our members’ interests are represented.

Our ultimate goal is to facilitate global launches for our members by minimising regulatory challenges and ensuring smooth market access.