Original source
Guidance / Q&A
CosIng — Cosmetic ingredient database (European Commission)
- Official date
- 2025-08-20
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Official source. CosIng
Key points
- Search interface for cosmetic ingredients and some annex mappings.
- Legal restrictions are in 1223/2009 annexes as amended (EUR-Lex).
- Update lag is possible — do not argue with an inspector from a CosIng printout.
Dates. Standing database.
Verify in the official text. Whether the INCI is actually listed in the current consolidated annex.
Open questions. Confirm any transitional stock rules and whether your exact INCI / product type is named. This desk brief is a prioritisation aid, not a legal determination.
What changed: Process reminder after a year of annex amendments.
Who is affected: Anyone accepting supplier “CosIng clearance”.
Suggested next steps: Require OJ citations in supplier compliance letters.
CosIng is the Commission’s ingredient database. Useful, unofficial as against the annexes in 1223/2009 as amended.
This note exists because 2025–26 vendor emails keep saying “CosIng says it is fine”.
Action: when a supplier sends a CosIng screenshot, ask for the annex entry and OJ citation.
Official text
Extract from the official English instrument
Official English from the Commission CosIng database pages.
CosIng is the European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. It provides information on cosmetic ingredients, including INCI names and, where recorded, references to the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009.
The legally binding restrictions, conditions of use and labelling requirements are those set out in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 as amended, as published in the Official Journal (EUR-Lex).