Responsibilities of the Responsible Person 1- Things to Consider in Cosmetic Product Packaging

According to the Cosmetic legislation and related sub-legal regulations, the characteristics of cosmetic products must remain within the scope of the "cosmetic product definition". All aspects such as function, content, manner of use, warnings, information, expression, visuals, etc., to be included on the packaging and labels of cosmetic products must be prepared by the responsible person in accordance with Cosmetic regulations.

The requirements for cosmetic product packaging are based on legal regulations established to provide consumers with necessary information about the safety, use, and components of the product. Firstly, cosmetic products must be made available for sale provided that the information on the packaging are non-erasable, easily visible and readable.

The mandatory information to be included on cosmetic product labels is as follows:

Product Name and Brand: The name and brand of the product must be clearly stated. The brand is the signature of the product owner. The trade name of every cosmetic product to be marketed in the Turkish market must be clearly understandable by the consumer.
Ingredient List (INCI Name): All components contained in the product must be listed under the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI). Components must be listed from highest concentration to lowest concentration.
Directions for Use: Clear and understandable instructions on how to use the product must be provided. For example, information such as application methods, application frequency and usage according to skin type should be provided.
Life Cycle and Expiry Date: The duration for which the product can be used and the expiry date must be specified. These details ensure the safe and effective use of the product.

• Period After Opening (PAO): For cosmetic products with a minimum durability of more than thirty months (where the concept of durability does not exist), the period during which they can be safely used after opening is indicated by writing within the open lid symbol, in "months or years". For single-use products, where there is no possibility of contact between the inner packaging and the external environment, and where the cosmetic product cannot be physically opened (for example; deodorant, etc.), and there is no risk of microbiological deterioration (for example; very high alcohol concentration), the durability symbol after opening is not required.

• Expiry Date (Shelf Life): For cosmetic products with a minimum durability of 30 months or less, the hourglass symbol or the statement "use before ..." must precede any details given on the packaging. If necessary, additional information about the conditions under which the durability is guaranteed for the product should be provided. The date should be clearly and sequentially indicated as "month and year" or "day, month, and year". For cosmetic products with a minimum durability of more than thirty months, it is not mandatory to indicate the shelf life.

Responsible Person Information: The name, address, and contact information of the person or company responsible for the product must be included. This is necessary for consumers to lodge complaints or obtain further information. In the case of multiple addresses, if the Product Information File is located at a specific address, that address must also be underlined.
Batch Number or Serial Number: A number indicating which batch or series the product belongs to must be included. This ensures traceability of the products and helps identify any problems arising from bulk production.
Net Quantity: The quantity contained in the product (e.g., grams, milliliters, pieces) must be clearly stated.
Warning and/or Hazard Statements: If there are warnings or hazard statements necessary for the safe use of the product, they must be clearly stated. For example, components carrying allergy risks, products that should not come into contact with eyes, flammable products, etc.
Country of Origin Information: Where the product was manufactured or where the manufacturing company is located must be indicated. Origin information must be provided on packaging for imported products. If it is requested to specify the origin information in foreign languages for products manufactured in our country, the name of our country should be "Türkiye".
Function of the Cosmetic Product: Information about which areas the product is designed for and for what purpose it can be used must be provided. For example, skincare, moisturizing, sun protection, etc. If the function/usage purpose of the product is not clearly understood by its presentation, it must be stated in Turkish on the product packaging.
Barcode: The product packaging must include a product barcode compliant with GS1 standards. When it comes to manufactured products, barcode information must belong to your company for notifying the Turkish Ministry of Health.

Cosmetic product labels are crucial to ensuring consumers use products correctly and safely and must comply with local regulations.