Cosmetics label example: hand cream 75 ml

What this example shows

The tool at the top of this page is filled with the example. The manufacturer (Example Trading Co., Ltd., Shenzhen) and the EU representative (Example EU Representative GmbH, Berlin) are made up — replace them with your own companies before printing.

• Product: hand cream 75 ml, model HC-75, batch LOT 2609B.
• Manufacturer outside the EU and the responsible person in the EU.
• Warnings: external use only, keep out of the reach of children, and “Avoid contact with eyes” added as own text in five languages.
• Size 70 × 50 mm, warnings in English, German, French, Italian and Spanish.

Cosmetics follow Regulation (EC) 1223/2009

For cosmetics, the label rules are in the Cosmetics Regulation, not in the GPSR labelling articles. Its Art. 19(1) requires, in indelible, easily legible and visible lettering on the container and packaging:

1. the name or registered name and address of the responsible person (and the country of origin for imported products);
2. the nominal content by weight or volume (with exceptions for very small packs, free samples and single-use packs);
3. the date of minimum durability — or, for products that keep longer than 30 months, the period after opening (the open-jar symbol followed by months/years) where relevant;
4. particular precautions for use;
5. the batch number or product reference (on the packaging only, if the container is too small);
6. the function of the product, unless clear from its presentation;
7. the list of ingredients headed “Ingredients” (may be on the packaging only).

The responsible person is designated under the Cosmetics Regulation and must be established in the EU; it also notifies the product in the Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP) before it is placed on the market.

What the sticker covers — and what it doesn't

The sticker made here covers the responsible person, the manufacturer, the product identification and batch, and the precautions in several languages. It is useful as an over-sticker on imported stock or as a box label. It does not replace the packaging artwork: the ingredients list (INCI names), the nominal content, the durability date or the period-after-opening symbol belong on the printed container and packaging. The generator does not draw the period-after-opening symbol.

An importer's or distributor's additional sticker must not cover information the manufacturer's label already shows.

Languages

For cosmetics, the language of the nominal content, durability date, precautions and function is set by the law of each member state where the product is sold (Art. 19(5)) — in practice its official language(s). The names and addresses, the batch number and the ingredient list (which uses common ingredient names) are not translated. See languages by country.

Online listings

GPSR Art. 19 still applies to online offers of cosmetics: the listing shows the manufacturer, the responsible person, product identification with a picture, and the warnings. Copy the text block under the preview — see listing text for Amazon, eBay and Etsy.