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EU Regulatory Insights

Regulatory updates, compliance guides, and EU market entry insights for supplement brands, cosmetic companies, and North American exporters.

USA FDA Compliance for European Exporters

MoCRA Serious Adverse Event Reporting: The FDA Obligation European Cosmetics Exporters Are Still Missing

MoCRA requires responsible persons to report serious adverse events to FDA within 15 business days. What European cosmetics exporters need in place now.

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Herbal & Supplement Testing (rare in Europe)

Mycotoxin Contamination in Herbal Ingredients: What EU Regulations Actually Require

EU Regulation 1881/2006 sets strict aflatoxin and ochratoxin limits for herbal raw materials — and supplier CoAs are not a compliance defence. Here's what European brands must do.

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EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009

EU Cosmetics Digital Labelling: What the QR Code Amendment to Regulation 1223/2009 Actually Allows

QR codes can't replace mandatory EU cosmetics label text—yet. Here's what Regulation 1223/2009 Article 19 requires and where digital labelling rules stand in 2026.

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GMP / ISO 22716 Compliance

What Indie Beauty Brands Get Wrong About ISO 22716 GMP: Five Shortcuts That Always Backfire

ISO 22716 GMP applies to every EU cosmetics brand regardless of size. Here are the five shortcuts indie manufacturers take that always backfire.

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Herbal & Supplement Testing (rare in Europe)

Pesticide Residues in EU Herbal Supplements: Why EC 396/2005 Compliance Doesn't Protect You at the US or Canadian Border

EU herbal brands exporting to the US or Canada need more than EC 396/2005 compliance. Here's how FDA and Health Canada pesticide frameworks differ from EU MRL standards.

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EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009

Supplier Qualification for EU Cosmetics Brands: The REACH Declarations, COAs, and Audit Records Your PIF Actually Needs

EU cosmetics brands often discover supplier documentation gaps during audits. Here's the REACH declarations, COAs, and audit records your PIF requires.

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EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in EU Cosmetics: What Regulation 1223/2009 Requires in 2026

The EU is tightening EDC restrictions in cosmetics under Regulation 1223/2009. Learn which UV filters and preservatives face SCCS scrutiny in 2026.

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USA FDA Compliance for European Exporters

EU Sunscreen Actives and the FDA's OTC Drug Gate: What European Brands Must Know Before Exporting to the US

European sunscreens built on Tinosorb or Mexoryl can't enter the US without reformulation. Here's what FDA's OTC drug classification means for your brand.

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Herbal & Supplement Testing (rare in Europe)

COA Red Flags: How to Spot Unreliable Testing Data from Herbal Ingredient Suppliers

Over 65% of herbal ingredient COAs submitted to our network failed independent verification. EU brands face direct regulatory exposure under Regulation 1223/2009.

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EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009

REACH Certificate of Conformity: What Cosmetics Brands Must Demand from Ingredient Suppliers

Most cosmetics brands hold REACH CoC documents that won't survive a regulatory audit. Learn exactly what a valid REACH certificate must contain — and five red flags to reject.

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Botanical Identity & Adulteration

Why 'Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil' on Your CoA Doesn't Mean What You Think

Argan oil adulteration affects up to 25% of EU cosmetic supplies. Learn how to verify authenticity and protect your PIF under EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009.

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EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009

REACH Regulation Compliance and Microplastics: What Every EU Cosmetics Brand Needs in Their PIF Right Now

REACH Entry 78 restricts intentionally added microplastics across cosmetics categories. Here's what your PIF must document and when the deadlines hit.

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EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009

PFAS in EU Cosmetics: What the Universal REACH Restriction Means for Your Formulations

The EU's universal PFAS restriction under REACH is advancing. European cosmetics brands that haven't audited their formulations are already running out of time.

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Herbal & Supplement Testing (rare in Europe)

EU Food Supplement Maximum Levels: The Harmonisation Gap That's Tripping Up Multi-Market Brands

The EU Food Supplements Directive 2002/46/EC never delivered harmonised maximum vitamin and mineral levels. Here's what that costs European brands operating across borders.

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EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009

EU General Product Safety Regulation: What Cosmetics Brands Compliant With 1223/2009 Still Need to Fix

GPSR (EU 2023/988) applies to cosmetics even with a 1223/2009-compliant PIF. Here are the five obligations your safety file almost certainly doesn't cover.

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EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009

EU Microplastics Ban in Cosmetics: The Transition Deadlines Most Formulators Are Getting Wrong

EU Regulation 2023/2055 restricts microplastics in cosmetics with staggered deadlines from 2027 to 2035. Understand which categories are in scope and what REACH compliance requires now.

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USA FDA Compliance for European Exporters

Sunscreen in Europe Is a Cosmetic — In the US, It's a Drug: What European Exporters Must Know

European brands often discover too late that their EU-compliant sunscreen is an unapproved drug in the US. Here's the FDA framework every exporter must understand.

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EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009

When Your Cosmetic Becomes a Medicinal Product: The Borderline Classification Risk Under EU Regulation 1223/2009

High-concentration actives can trigger ANSM reclassification of your cosmetic as a medicinal product. What's at stake — and how to assess the risk before EU market entry.

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