European Union Certification

Proud to be the first Natural Cosmetics Company in the US to have products that are European Union certified. Look for this certification badge on product pages that indicates that the product has been certified with the EU Commission.

 

Because our founder, Lauren Brooke, struggled for a decade with the health effects of toxins, safety has always been a core value at Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques. So, it was natural for us to became the first natural cosmetics company in the United States to become European Union Certified.

The most comprehensive cosmetics safety standards

11 chemicals are banned or restricted in the United States for use in cosmetics. In the European Union there are 1,378.

European Union Cosmetics Chemical Standards

EU Cosmetics Regulatory Body: In the European Union, the EU Commission regulates the use of cosmetics. Cosmetics must be reviewed by the EU Commission before being placed on the market.

EU Cosmetics Banned or Restricted Ingredients: Under the EU Commission, Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 bans or restricts 1,378 chemicals.

  • Allergic reaction ingredients 26 potentially allergic ingredients must be disclosed

  • Banned ingredients 1,008 substances are prohibited because they cause cancer, mutations, or reproductive issues

  • Restricted ingredients about 300 other substances are restricted in type, purity, or amount used

EU Cosmetics Allowed Ingredients: 153 colorants, 59 conservative (preservative) agents, and 29 UV filters are allowed.

EU Certification Requirements: To be certified, the following requirements must be reviewed and approved by the EU Commission:

  • Proof of the effects claimed of the cosmetic product

  • Quantitative and qualitative composition of the cosmetic product

  • Chemical/physical characteristics and stability data of the cosmetic product

  • Microbiological quality of the cosmetic product

  • Impurity, traces, and information regarding the packaging material

  • Exposure to chemicals and substances

  • The toxicological profile of the substances

  • Adverse effects and serious adverse effects

  • Microbiology specifications for each raw material

  • Safety Data Sheets for each raw material

  • Toxicological data for each raw material

  • Certificates of Analysis Sheets for each raw material

  • Tests of stability and microbiological quality

  • Conclusion of safety evaluation

  • Compliance with ISO 22716 Good Manufacturing Practices

  • Animal experimentation is prohibited

See the full description of REGULATION (EC) No 1223/2009 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

 

U.S. Cosmetics Chemical Standards

U.S. Cosmetics Regulatory Body: In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the cosmetics industry. The FDA does not require approval before cosmetic products and ingredients go on the market. According to Scott Gottleib, former FDA commissioner, "there are currently no legal requirements for any cosmetic manufacturer to test their products for safety."

U.S. Cosmetics Banned or Restricted Ingredients: Color additives are permitted if the FDA has approved them for cosmetics. The FDA has banned or restricted the following 10 chemicals, and may also restrict sunscreens used in cosmetics:

  • Bithionol because it may cause photocontact sensitization

  • Chlorofluorocarbon propellants because it causes cancer in animals

  • Chloroform because it causes cancer in animals (restricted as an ingredient, but allowed as a processing solvent during manufacture or as a byproduct from the synthesis of [another chemical] ingredient)

  • Halogenated salicylanilides (di-, tri-, metabromsalan and tetrachlorosalicylanilide) because they may cause serious skin disorders

  • Hexachlorophene because of its toxic effect (allowed if no other preservative has been shown to be as effective)

  • Mercury compounds because it may cause allergic reactions, skin irritations, or neurotoxic problems (allowed if no other preservatives are effective and safe)

  • Methylene chloride because it causes cancer in animals

  • Some cattle materials to protect against mad cow disease (allowed if tallow, tallow derivative, hide, hide-derived product, milk, or milk-derived product)

  • Vinyl chloride (prohibited in aerosol products) because it causes cancer and other health problems

  • Zirconium-containing complexes because of toxic effects on lungs of animals and the formulation of granulomas in human skin

U.S. Cosmetics Allowed Ingredients: All other ingredients are allowed as long as instructions for safe use or warnings are provided.