Cosmetic Labelling Consulting

Our labelling consultants conduct detailed regulatory compliance reviews on cosmetics to ensure your products are compliant with the Australian market.

With more than 50 years of experience in safety and quality, Mérieux NutriSciences AQ offers guidance and expertise on the regulatory requirements, design, and content of labels for cosmetic products.

Cosmetic labelling is a critical aspect of product communication providing consumers essential information about the product’s ingredients and safety so they can make informed buying decisions. Consumers must choose safe and effective products to avoid known allergens and irritants. According to Australian laws, cosmetics must have a legible, prominently shown ingredient list that follows the Consumer Goods (Cosmetics) Information Standard 2020.

In addition, cosmetic labels must not be misleading, be socially responsible, and not encourage unrealistic expectations. These are just a few considerations when reviewing a cosmetic label. Selling goods that don’t comply with labelling laws can incur penalties, legal action, negative reputation, recalls, waste, market delays, injury and sometimes death.

What we do. What we review.

Our cosmetic labelling consultants can support with all the elements below:

General safety directions, first aid, warnings, precautionary statements
Permitted ingredient names (as per INCI), ingredient levels and restrictions
AICIS ingredient assessment
Font size requirements
Trade measurement statement
Storage and disposal
Country of origin statement

Marketing claims e.g. ‘Vegan,’ ‘Natural’ ‘Dermatologically tested’
Dangerous goods diamonds if applicable
Date and batch marking
Directions for use
Intended use
Place of Manufacture and Presentation
Allergens e.g. fragrances, nut oils

Master Cosmetic Labelling Compliance with us

The Poisons Standard (the SUSMP)
The National Measurement Institute
The Dangerous Goods Code
The Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956
Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme (AICIS)

The Aerosol Standard AS 2278.1
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and
All marketing claims need to be supported by adequate evidence.

What are cosmetic products?

It is important to ensure your products meet the definition of a cosmetic product, not a therapeutic good. Cosmetic products are defined as most personal care, skin care, make-up and cosmetic products that may be described as ‘cosmetics’. A cosmetic is defined as a substance or preparation intended for placement in contact with any part of the human body, including the mucous membranes of the oral cavity and the teeth, with a view to:

altering the odours of the body
changing its appearance
cleansing it
maintaining it in good condition
perfuming and protecting the body.

Any marketing claims need to be supported by evidence as per ACCC legislation.
The measurement litre or millilitre is best abbreviated to L or mL, lowercase l is permitted but is better to avoid.
A space is recommended after the numerical value of an Australian legal unit of measurement and before the name or symbol of the unit of measurement. For example 250 mL, not 250 mL.
The measurement marking (weight or volume) must be read in the same direction as any name or brand of the product to which it relates, at least 2 mm from the limits of the package and separated by at least 2 mm in all directions from other graphic matter.
The minimum character size of the measurement marking depends on the maximum dimension of the package and must follow the table in the National Trade Measurement Regulations 2009.
If you plan to sell any cosmetics in Australia that you bought from overseas you must register your business with AICIS before you import (introduce) into Australia. Regardless if another business is already importing the same or similar products/chemicals and if the cosmetics are fully packaged and only a low volume is introduced.
If you intend to make cosmetics for sale in Australia where one or more ingredients were purchased from overseas, then you must register with AICIS first.
If you purchase all ingredients locally and blend these together to make your cosmetics, then you don’t need to register with AICIS. But if your process of mixing ingredients results in a chemical reaction, then this is considered to be manufacturing and registration with AICIS is necessary.
Annual declarations and report keeping are part of AICIS obligations.

If you plan to sell any cosmetics in Australia and require guidance on labelling compliance, Merieux NutriSciences AQ is your partner of choice.

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