From toothpaste to suntan lotion, hair gel to soap, everyone uses cosmetic products in their everyday life. It is important that these products are safe. The active ingredients should be present in safe amounts and the products should not contain undesirable substances.

The Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations 2004, as amended, will control the safety of these types of product. These Regulations provide a framework to ensure that a producer or distributor supplies a safe product.

Seven Commission Directives establish all the methods of analysis necessary for the official testing of cosmetic products at Community level.

Available tests include: