Cosmetics - Your Online Guide

Labelling of cosmetics 

The ACCC enforces the labelling of cosmetic products under the Trade Practices Act 1974.

There are mandatory labelling requirements for the labelling of cosmetic products manufactured in, or imported into, Australia. These requirements are contained in a consumer product information standard in the form of the Trade Practices (Consumer Product Information Standards) (Cosmetics) Regulations 1991, as amended by the Trade Practices (Consumer Product Information Standard) (Cosmetics) Amendment Regulations 1998 (no.1) (the mandatory information standard) made under the Trade Practices Act 1974.

All suppliers – including manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers - must comply with the mandatory information standard, which is enforced by the ACCC. Non-compliance with the mandatory information standard is an offence under the Trade Practices Act and may result in fines.

The mandatory information standard specifies that cosmetic products be labelled with a list of ingredients so that consumers are able to

• Identify ingredients to which they may be allergic to or which may cause an adverse reaction; and

• Compare various cosmetic products.

The ingredients of a cosmetic should be listed on its container or on the product itself if the product is not packed in a container. The mandatory information standard also sets out certain requirements as to how the ingredients are to be listed.

A copy of the mandatory information standard has been included in the ACCC publication, 'Product information – A mandatory standard guide: cosmetics and toiletries – ingredient labelling', available from the ACCC www.accc.gov.au.

 

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