Commercial Information Circulars

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e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref : EIC 230/4/1

20 January 2015

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 67/2015

European Union (EU)* : Community Eco-Label Award Scheme (Rinse-off Cosmetic Products)

Further to Commercial Information Circular No. 66/2015 dated 20 January 2015, the European Commission (the Commission) has adopted a Decision to establish the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel for rinse-off cosmetic products. Details are set out in Commission Decision 2014/893/EU, which can be accessed through the following link:
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32014D0893&from=EN

DETAILS

2.Regulation (EC) No. 66/2010 provides that specific EU Ecolabel criteria are to be established according to product groups. Since environmental impacts mainly in terms of eco-toxicity and resource consumption are associated to the chemicals used in rinse-off cosmetic products and to their packaging, it is appropriate to establish the EU Ecolabel criteria for this product group in particular to promote products that have reduced impact on aquatic ecosystems, contain limited amount of hazardous substances and minimize waste production by reducing the amount of packaging.

3.Separately, Commission 2007/506/EC has established the ecological criteria and related assessment and verification requirement for soaps, shampoos and hair-conditioners. In light of technological developments, it is necessary to modify the name and the definition so as to include a new sub-product group and to establish new criteria.

4.In order to be awarded the EU Ecolabel, an item of rinse-off cosmetic products fall within the definition as stated in Article 1 for both private and professional use, except those are specifically marketed for disinfecting or anti-bacterial use, should comply with the criteria as well as the related assessment and verification requirements as set out in the Annex of the Decision. The criteria for the product group "rinse-off cosmetic products" and the related assessment and verification requirements shall be valid for four years from the date of adoption of the Decision.

ENQUIRIES

5.For enquiries concerning the content of this circular, please contact the undersigned at telephone number 2398 5556.

Yours faithfully,

(Miss Anita WONG)
for Director-General of Trade and Industry

* The EU includes Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.