Best Practices, Safety Guidelines, and Industry Standards in Belgium

1.  Adhering to Safety Standards in Production

 There are two legislative texts on cosmetics in terms of law: a European and a national one. First, European Regulation No. 1223/2009, contains regulations for product composition and labeling (such as prohibited colorants, restricted compounds, banned ingredients, UV filters, and preservatives). This comprehensive law ensures that all cosmetics, including handmade products, follow stringent regulations designed to protect consumers. To ensure compliance with regulations about product composition, labeling, and the prohibition or restriction of certain chemicals, producers must conduct thorough safety assessments and appoint a designated responsible party.

Second, the Royal Decree of July 17, 2012 (FR). This includes, for instance, the definition of a cosmetic under law and the entrepreneur’s responsibilities to the relevant authorities. The responsible authority in Belgium is the FPS Public Health, Safety of the Food Chain, and Environment.

All cosmetics that you want to put on the market must have a technical file that conforms with Articles 10 and 11 of European Regulation 1223/ 2009. This file provides extensive information on the product, such as a safety report on its composition and user instructions. A qualified person in charge must undertake a cosmetic product’s safety evaluation. This includes anybody, inside or outside the firm, who is a European-qualified chemist, toxicologist, or physician.

As a result, you have the option of selecting a competent individual from Belgium or another Member State. When someone attests to a cosmetic product’s safety, they also take accountability for its dependability.

This safety evaluation has an associated cost. Remember that you can apply for the following support from the Brussels-Capital Region: the consultancy premium if you are already registered with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises, or the business project premium if you need help developing your ideas or if you need to investigate your project further if you do not yet have a company number.

Before you may sell your cosmetic items, you must first register them with the European Commission’s Cosmetic Items Notification Portal (CPNP). To send that notice, however, you must first create a profile. Because of its internet database, the FPS Public Health, and the Poison Control Centre always have access to product information (composition).

Cosmetic product labels must contain all types of necessary information which includes the responsible person’s name and address, nominal content, minimum shelf life, directions (if applicable), lot number, function (unless self-explanatory), and ingredient list.

Additionally, there are standard labeling specifications. These are available on the FPS Economy, SMEs, Self-Employed, and Energy website. You have to follow the linguistic standards, for instance. The user should be able to easily grasp the label. As a result, it needs to be written in every language spoken in the area where the product is marketed, which means it needs to be written in French, Dutch, or German.

              2. Implementing Best Practices for Product Safety and Quality

A variety of certifications and labels are applicable in the handmade cosmetics sector. Below are a few of the most well-known:

COSMOS: From January 2017, Cosmos is the new European Standard for organic and natural cosmetic products certifications, to which all partners (Soil Assciation, Ecocert, ICEA, BDIH, CosmeBio, etc.) must adhere. Cosmos is a international non-profit association registered in Belgium which establishes two different certification levels (one for organic products and another for natural products). From January 2017 on, certified products will have a certification with the Cosmos signature on the package.

CERTISYS: CERTISYS is the only certification body to offer you the COSMOS label in Belgium. They also provide access to the largest database of certified or approved raw materials for the formulations. This makes it very easy for new starters to find a suitable raw material supplier.

TÜV NORD: With regard to organic certification, TÜV NORD Integra has been in Belgium, for more than 25 years, a reliable partner for inspection and certification. Today they certify about 900 operators for organic production, processing, or trade. Outside of Belgium, TÜV NORD Integra can also offer organic certification in a number of third countries such as Morocco, Egypt, Madagascar, Ivory Coast and other West-African countries.

BioForum: BioForum is the only organization in Flanders that fully supports the interests of the organic sector . BioForum sits on various advisory boards and consultation committees.

SOIL ASSOCIATION: English institution that guarantees a strict certification, by examining the whole production process of the brand to certify: from the ingredients supply, until packaging evaluation. They also require information to determine if the products of the company at hand are produced sustainably, respecting the environment. The brand is then checked every year, in order to verify that it is still meeting the required standards.

ECOCERT: controlling and certification French institution, with more than 25 years worth of experience. In fact, Ecocert has been the first certification body to develop a standard both for natural and biological cosmetics. During the certification process, Ecocert checks raw material compliance, validates formulas and makes sure that only ingredients derived from renewable sources and treated with eco-friendly processes are used. Finally, they verify if the product package is biodegradable or recyclable.

ICEA: the Italian institution ICEA (Institution for Ethic and Environmental Certification) was born in 2000 and it certifies organic products and natural cosmetics on the basis of environmental sustainability criteria, privileging the use of biological ingredients and chemicals of natural origin. It also performs obligatory tests on the finished product and verifies that all claims used by the company are true.

USDA ORGANIC: let’s fly to America. This is the regulatory body for the American market that certifies “biological” at multiple levels (“100% Organic“, “Organic“, “Made with Organic ingredients“). It is intended to ensure that the biological products bought by consumers are made, treated and certified according to national organic standards.

Nature: The Belgian nonprofit International Natural and Organic Cosmetic Association is the publisher of NATRUE. The organisation was established in 2007 with the goal of defending and advancing natural and organic cosmetics around the globe. Their mission is to promote the highest standards of quality and integrity in the development and manufacturing of natural cosmetics by elevating the profile of businesses who use high-quality, natural raw ingredients. Only those who successfully complete all rigorously outlined requirements, adhere to the NATRUE standard, and harmonise the manufacturing process will be granted the NATRUE certificate. The NATRUE Scientific Committee Criteria and Label created the NATRUE standard, which is continuously updated, enhanced, and changed.

These accreditations support consumers in their decision-making and instill trust in the excellent quality, sustainability, and naturalness of handmade cosmetics. Every certificate has its own set of criteria and processes, so it’s important to check that your things meet the requirements before asking for certification.

  3. Staying Compliant with Industry Standards

Staying compliant with industry standards when producing handmade cosmetics in Belgium involves adhering to various regulations and guidelines set forth by the European Union (EU) and Belgian authorities. Here are some key aspects to consider:

1. EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009: This regulation outlines the requirements for the safety, labeling, and marketing of cosmetics within the EU. It applies to all cosmetic products placed on the EU market, including those produced by hand. Compliance with this regulation ensures that your products are safe for consumers.
2. Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP): While GMP guidelines are not specifically mandated for handmade cosmetics, adhering to these principles ensures the quality and safety of your GMP involves maintaining clean and hygienic production facilities, proper storage of raw materials and finished products, and thorough record-keeping.
3. Product Safety Assessment: Before placing a cosmetic product on the market, it must undergo a safety assessment to ensure it does not pose any risks to human health under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use. This assessment can be conducted by a qualified person, often a cosmetic safety assessor.
4. Labeling Requirements: Cosmetics sold in Belgium must comply with specific labeling requirements, including listing all ingredients (in descending order of weight), indicating the product’s function, providing the manufacturer’s or distributor’s contact information, and including a batch code for traceability.
5. Allergen Notification: Certain substances known to cause allergies must be labeled when present in cosmetic products above certain concentrations. These include common allergens like certain fragrances, preservatives, and Make sure to check the EU’s list of allergens and label your products accordingly.
6. Notification to CPNP: Before placing a cosmetic product on the market, it must be notified to the Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP), which is a centralized notification system within the EU. This applies to all cosmetic products, including handmade ones.
7. Product Testing: While not always mandatory, conducting appropriate product testing can provide evidence of safety and efficacy, which can be crucial for demonstrating compliance with regulations and building consumer trust.
8. Stay Informed: Regulations and standards may change over time, so it’s essential to stay updated on any developments or revisions to ensure ongoing compliance with industry standards.

Lastly, it’s also advisable to seek guidance from regulatory experts or consultants specializing in cosmetics regulations to ensure full compliance with Belgian and EU requirements. Additionally, joining industry associations or networks can provide valuable resources and support for navigating compliance challenges in the handmade cosmetics sector.