Sell By Date for Cosmetics

United Kingdom
24/10/2003
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One of the first consequences of Directive 2003/15/EC (amending Counsel Directive 76/768/EEC on cosmetic products) is that a new symbol must be introduced from 11 March 2005 on all cosmetic products with the durability of more than 30 months. The symbol will consist of a representation of an open cream jar, and will be accompanied by an indication in months or years of how long a product will remain suitable for use once it has been opened. For other cosmetic products, i.e. those with a durability of less than 30 months, there was already a legal obligation to indicate the date of minimum durability.

The European Commission adopted the symbol as the simplest method of providing rapid identification without a written explanation which would involve the need for translation and extra space on packaging that often tends to be very small.

Member States should bring into force the laws regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with the directive before 11 September 2004 and the cut off point for implementation of this directive is 11 March 2005.

Please contact Mark Tyler at [email protected] or Jessica Burt at [email protected]

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