Directive 1976/768 - Approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to cosmetic products - Main contents

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Council Directive 76/768/EEC of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to cosmetic products

Official Journal L 262 , 27/09/1976 P. 0169 - 0200

Greek special edition: Chapter 13 Volume 4 P. 0145

Spanish special edition: Chapter 15 Volume 1 P. 0206

Portuguese special edition Chapter 15 Volume 1 P. 0206

Finnish special edition: Chapter 13 Volume 5 P. 0198

Swedish special edition: Chapter 13 Volume 5 P. 0198

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to cosmetic products (76/768/EEC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 100 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (1),

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (2),

Whereas the provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in force in the Member States define the composition characteristics to which cosmetic products must conform and prescribe rules for their labelling and for their packaging ; whereas these provisions differ from one Member State to another;

Whereas the differences between these laws oblige Community cosmetic producers to vary their production according to the Member State for which the products are intended ; whereas, consequently, they hinder trade in these products and, as a result, have a direct effect on the establishment and functioning of the common market;

Whereas the main objective of these laws is the safeguarding of public health and whereas, as a result, the pursuit of the same objective must inspire Community legislation in this sector ; whereas, however, this objective must be attained by means which also take account of economic and technological requirements;

Whereas it is necessary to determine at Community level the regulations which must be observed as regards the composition, labelling and packaging of cosmetic products;

Whereas this Directive relates only to cosmetic products and not to pharmaceutical specialities and medicinal products ; whereas for this purpose it is necessary to define the scope of the Directive by delimiting the field of cosmetics from that of pharmaceuticals ; whereas this delimitation follows in particular from the detailed definition of cosmetic products, which refers both to their areas of application and to the purposes of their use ; whereas this Directive is not applicable to the products that fall under the definition of cosmetic product but are exclusively intended to protect from disease ; whereas, moreover, it is advisable to specify that certain products come under this definition, whilst products containing substances or preparations intended to be ingested, inhaled, injected or implanted in the human body do not come under the field of cosmetics;

Whereas in the present state of research, it is advisable to exclude cosmetic products containing one of the substances listed in Annex V from the scope of this Directive;

Whereas cosmetic products must not be harmful under normal or foreseeable conditions of use ; whereas in particular it is necessary to take into account the possibility of danger to zones of the body that are contiguous to the area of application;

Whereas, in particular, the determination of the methods of analysis together with possible modifications or additions which may have to be made to them on the basis of the results of scientific and technical research, are implementing measures of a technical nature ; whereas it is advisable to entrust their adoption to the Commission, subject to certain conditions specified in this Directive, for the purpose of simplifying and accelerating the procedure;

Whereas technical progress necessitates rapid adaptation of the technical provisions defined in this Directive and...

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