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Health assessment of Cosmetics
Products which come into contact with human skin must be non-hazardous to health. The BfR assesses the risks of ingredients in cosmetic products - from lipstick to tooth bleaching agents - with the support of the Cosmetics Committee.
Skin cream, toothpaste, shampoo - cosmetics not only include decorative cosmetics such as lipstick or make-up but also all substances and preparations which are exclusively or predominantly intended to be applied externally to the body or in the oral cavity. This also includes suntan lotions, soap and other personal care products. Their common feature is that they are used for cleaning, keeping the skin and body in good condition, as perfumes and scents or to change a person's appearance. For the BfR, ensuring that cosmetic products are safe for consumers to use takes top priority.
Approval and notification
Cosmetics are not subject to approval. Certain ingredients like preservatives, colorants or UV filters have to be approved.
Producers of cosmetics must guarantee that their products do not pose any risk based on safety assessments.
The European Commission operates an internet portal via which cosmetic products have to be notified before they are marketed. Among other things, manufacturers are obliged to enter the formula of their product so that the poison centres can access the details in the course of their advisory work. Information on nano-sized ingredients must also be entered.
The Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety provides more information on the notification process at www.bvl.bund.de/EN.
Where necessary, the BfR assesses the ingredients of cosmetics with regard to their health safety.
Advisory role
The BfR advises the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) on the health risk assessment of cosmetics.
Legal bases
- German Food and Feed Code (LFGB)
- German Product Safety Act (ProdSG)
- Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009
Opinion
(25)FAQ
(8)Date | Title | Size |
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11.10.2024 Update of frequently asked questions to the BfR
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Titanium dioxide: Are there health risks? |
313.2 KB |
19.12.2019 BfR FAQ
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Sun cream and similar products - are there health risks? |
53.7 KB |
12.10.2017 BfR FAQ
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Questions and answers on the study lead of BfR investigating the distribution of tattoo ink as nano-sized particles in lymph nodes |
44.4 KB |
27.01.2014 FAQ from the BfR
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Questions and Answers on the Risk Assessment of Cosmetic Products |
34.5 KB |
26.05.2015 BfR FAQ
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Questions and Answers on Mineral Oil in Cosmetic Products |
37.1 KB |
05.06.2019 FAQ to the BfR
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Microplastics: Facts, research and open questions |
73.0 KB |
14.08.2020 BfR FAQ
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Frequently asked questions regarding the BfR's reassessment of aluminium in antiperspirants from 20 July 2020 |
59.5 KB |
06.01.2022 Updated BfR FAQ
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Frequently asked questions about tattoo inks |
93.6 KB |
Other documents
(2)Date | Title | Size |
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28.05.2010 BfR Information 023/2010
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Import of cosmetic products |
28.9 KB |
20.11.2006 Consumers vote on nanotechnology
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BfR Consumer Conference on Nanotechnology in Foods, Cosmetics and Textiles |
130.3 KB |
Press releases
(23)Communication
(5)Date | Title | Size |
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09.11.2022 Communication No 031/2022 of the BfR
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Toxicological testing requirements to be developed: 3rd Expert discussion at the BfR on tattoo inks |
90.3 KB |
13.10.2022 Communication No 024/2022 from the BfR
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Self-experiment: Body can absorb fluorine-containing chemical PFOA through the skin |
97.6 KB |
08.11.2022 Communication No 030/2022 of the BfR
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Operable minimum toxicological requirements: 2nd Expert discussion at BfR on tattoo inks |
134.9 KB |
29.10.2018 BfR Communication No 033/2018
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Is there a risk to human health from microplastics? More research and scientific data needed |
112.6 KB |
13.12.2019 BfR Communication No 049/2019
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How much aluminium passes through the skin? The BfR reviews a new expert opinion |
134.1 KB |