Quick Answer: To check whether a cosmetic ingredient is allowed in the EU, identify the exact substance and its intended function, search the European Commission’s CosIng database for orientation, then verify the current consolidated Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 and its Annexes. Check concentration, product type, warnings and other conditions; an ingredient appearing in CosIng is not an EU approval. The finished formula still needs a product-specific safety assessment.
Last reviewed: 27 September 2026. Editorial review: MOOYAM cosmetic compliance content team. This is a practical screening workflow for international brands, importers and manufacturers, not product-specific legal or toxicological advice.
Start with the precise ingredient identity
An ingredient name alone may be ambiguous. Obtain the supplier’s INCI name, chemical or botanical identity where relevant, CAS/EC identifiers if available, grade, specification, purity, impurities and intended function. Ask whether it is a fragrance component, colorant, preservative, UV filter or a general ingredient. The same material may be subject to different conditions depending on its role and form.
Screen the actual finished product, not a detached raw-material list. Record the planned concentration, leave-on or rinse-off use, body site, intended users, exposure pattern and label wording. A restricted substance may be permissible for one product use but not another. A supplier’s statement that a material is “EU compliant” is a useful input, not the Responsible Person’s final conclusion.
Use CosIng as a finding aid—not a permission certificate
The European Commission describes CosIng as its cosmetic-ingredient database. It helps locate INCI names, ingredient functions, regulatory entries and relevant scientific opinions. The Commission also warns that the database is informative and does not have legal value. Presence in CosIng does not mean that a substance is authorized for every cosmetic use, or even that the finished product is lawful.
Search exact identifiers and synonyms, read the linked regulatory references, then open the underlying legal text. Capture the date and regulation version used for the review. If a supplier name does not resolve cleanly, do not infer that an approximate match is the same substance; request identity clarification before formula release.
| Official source | What to check | What it cannot establish alone |
|---|---|---|
| CosIng, European Commission | Names, functions and pointers to regulatory entries | A legally binding approval for the ingredient or finished formula |
| Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, EUR-Lex | Articles, current Annex entries and conditions of use | Product-specific safety without exposure assessment |
| SCCS opinions, European Commission | Scientific assessment background for selected substances | That an opinion has already become binding law |
Read the current EU Annexes and the conditions beside each entry
Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 is the legal anchor. Article 14 connects composition to the Annexes. Annex II lists substances prohibited in cosmetic products; Annex III contains restricted substances; Annex IV addresses permitted colorants; Annex V permitted preservatives; and Annex VI permitted UV filters. Check the entry’s scope, maximum concentration, permitted product categories, warnings and any other limitations. The most recent consolidated text and amendments matter more than an old screenshot or supplier spreadsheet.
Also review Article 15 for certain substances classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction; Article 16 for nanomaterials where relevant; and Article 17 for technically unavoidable traces of prohibited substances under its specific conditions. These are not simple keyword searches. A “not found” result is not proof of safety, and a listed entry still requires attention to its exact legal conditions.
| Decision point | Evidence to collect | Stop or escalate when |
|---|---|---|
| Exact identity | INCI, supplier specification and identifiers | Name, composition or impurity profile is unclear |
| Annex screening | Current legal entry and all use conditions | Prohibited entry or a restriction is exceeded |
| Finished-use assessment | Concentration, exposure, product type and users | Assumptions differ from the intended SKU |
| Safety documentation | Assessor inputs and current CPSR | Evidence is insufficient for a safety conclusion |
| Change control | Formula, supplier and legal-version log | An amendment or formula change affects the decision |
A six-step ingredient review workflow
1. Freeze the proposed formula and obtain reliable raw-material specifications. 2. Resolve each material to its exact identity and function. 3. Use CosIng to find relevant records, but follow through to the regulation. 4. Check the current Annexes and Articles for all applicable conditions. 5. Give the qualified safety assessor the concentration, exposure, impurity and intended-use information. 6. Record the conclusion, source version, reviewer and triggers for reassessment.
The EU cosmetic ingredient restrictions guide explains the Annex framework in more detail; this article focuses on how a brand checks a particular material. The broader EU Cosmetics Regulation guide shows where ingredient review sits among Responsible Person, labelling, PIF and notification duties.
Who decides whether the finished formula may be placed on the EU market?
The EU-established Responsible Person must ensure the product complies with the Regulation. Under Article 10 and Annex I, a qualified assessor evaluates finished-product safety and prepares the Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR). A manufacturer can provide INCI lists, supplier and batch documentation, COAs, SDS where applicable, microbiological and stability information, and packaging-compatibility data. The manufacturer’s document pack is not a substitute for the RP’s compliance decision or the assessor’s signed safety conclusion.
A useful approval record states the exact formula version, raw-material grade, maximum concentration, product category, markets, label warnings and claims assessed. If the supplier changes a preservative blend, fragrance, impurity profile or particle size, the original decision may no longer fit. Retain a change-control trail so brands and importers can see when re-screening is necessary.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not assume “listed in CosIng” means approved, rely on an outdated Annex printout, ignore restrictions in the table columns, substitute supplier marketing claims for an assessor’s review, or assess an ingredient in isolation from exposure. Likewise, do not confuse an SCCS scientific opinion with a legal amendment. The Commission’s scientific-assessment page explains the SCCS role; the legal obligations must still be read in the applicable regulation.
FAQ
Is every ingredient in CosIng allowed in EU cosmetics?
No. CosIng is an informative database, not an authorization list or product approval. Verify the binding regulation and the specific use conditions.
What if an ingredient is absent from the Annexes?
Absence from a particular Annex does not prove that the finished product is safe or compliant. Confirm identity, other applicable provisions and the product-specific safety assessment.
Do rinse-off and leave-on products use the same limit?
Not necessarily. Read the exact Annex entry: conditions can differ by product category, body site, concentration or required warning.
Does a supplier COA replace the CPSR?
No. A COA documents specified raw-material or batch characteristics. The CPSR is the qualified assessment of the finished cosmetic product.
When should an ingredient be checked again?
Recheck after relevant legal amendments or changes to formula, supplier, grade, concentration, use, users, claims or other inputs to the original assessment.
Official sources
Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (Articles 10, 14–17 and Annexes II–VI); European Commission CosIng information; European Commission scientific and technical assessment.
Manufacturer support: MOOYAM provides cosmetic OEM/ODM manufacturing and technical documentation support for international beauty brands. Ask our team for formula and quality records relevant to your proposed EU product; your EU Responsible Person and qualified assessor must determine the final compliance position.
Regulatory requirements may change. Brands should verify current requirements with the relevant regulatory authority or a qualified compliance professional before placing cosmetic products on the market.