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LIFE SCIENCES LAW – Ralph Schäfer – Lawyer – Your partner for legal issues in the life sciences industry
Cosmetics law – legal advice for manufacturers, brands, retailers and beauty innovations
Lawyer specializing in cosmetic law in Munich
Navigating cosmetics law – clear, safe, market-oriented
Cosmetics law forms the binding framework for the safety, quality, labeling, and marketing of cosmetic products in the European Union. It is based on the EU Cosmetics Regulation, supplemented by national requirements, standards, and market surveillance structures. For manufacturers, importers, brand owners, and distributors, legally compliant implementation is crucial to ensure products are safely placed on the market and to prevent legal risks at an early stage.
Life Sciences Law supports companies, start-ups, laboratories, online shops, and brands throughout the entire lifecycle of cosmetic products. Its consulting services combine regulatory expertise with practical industry understanding, thereby creating security in the development, testing, and marketing of cosmetic products – from classic beauty products to innovative active ingredient cosmetics and new digital sales concepts.
Services in cosmetics law
The EU Cosmetics Regulation sets out binding requirements for every cosmetic product regarding safety, composition, labeling, packaging, and market surveillance. At the same time, new trends such as natural cosmetics, vegan formulations, CBD products, personalized cosmetics, and digital marketing models are gaining in importance.
Manufacturers and retailers must ensure that
- a full security report is available,
- a responsible person has been appointed,
- Products are correctly labelled and notified in CPNP,
- Advertising claims must comply with legal requirements.,
- Market surveillance and documentation are in place at all times.
Life Sciences Law accompanies companies through all legal steps – from establishing regulatory foundations to securing their daily business operations.
Safety assessment, ingredients and regulatory review
The safety of cosmetic products is the central test of cosmetic law. Every product requires a robust safety assessment, a complete product dossier, and consistent cosmetic compliance. This applies particularly to new formulations, nanomaterials, CMR substances, or innovative preservative systems.
Companies must prove that ingredients are permitted and pose no health risks. Trends such as microplastic alternatives or vegan and personalized cosmetics also increase regulatory requirements.
- Safety assessment and toxicological testing
- Assessment of prohibited or regulated substances
- Requirements for nanomaterials, allergens and new active ingredients
A clear regulatory framework creates security for product development and market positioning.
Product labeling, packaging and INCI
Correct labeling is crucial for marketability and consumer confidence. This includes INCI declaration, mandatory information, expiration dates, batch codes, and language requirements. Labeling errors quickly lead to complaints or legal warnings.
Cosmetic labels, QR codes for mandatory digital information, and sustainability certifications are also gaining importance. Companies need clear legal guidelines here to promote transparency while simultaneously avoiding the risks of greenwashing.
- INCI and mandatory labeling
- Labelling according to EU cosmetics regulation
- Examination of modern labeling and sealing concepts
This makes the packaging a legally compliant and effective communication tool.
Advertising, claims and marketing strategy
Advertising claims must be verifiable and not misleading. Especially in the cosmetics industry, borderline cases quickly arise, for example with promises of effectiveness, anti-aging claims, or botanical active ingredients.
Social media campaigns and influencer marketing also require legal review, as inadmissible statements often lead to cease-and-desist letters under competition law. Clear claim control protects against risks and facilitates creative communication.
- Examination of claims and scientific evidence
- Distinction from health-related advertising
- Risk assessment in influencer and online marketing
Legally compliant marketing strengthens brand position and product safety.
Product development, manufacturing and market entry
Cosmetic development and production require early regulatory oversight. The permissibility of ingredients, claims, and potential demarcation issues must be considered as early as the formulation stage.
A complete product dossier, the responsible person, and CPNP notification are prerequisites for market entry. Additional requirements regarding documentation, GMP, marketability, and quality assurance apply to the import of cosmetic products.
- Product dossier and responsible person
- CPNP notification and GMP compliance
- Requirements for the import and export of cosmetic products
Structured regulatory planning prevents delays and minimizes liability risks.
Natural cosmetics, claims and new beauty trends
Natural cosmetics, vegan formulations, organic standards, sustainable raw materials, and personalized cosmetics are gaining significant importance. At the same time, regulatory requirements are increasing – especially regarding claims such as "natural," "clean," "vegan," or "free from.".
Companies must ensure that their wording, seals, and advertising claims meet strict requirements. Particular attention is paid to greenwashing risks, CBD cosmetics, and innovative, technology-based product concepts.
- Evaluation of natural and organic claims
- legal assessment of sustainable and "free-from" claims
- Requirements for CBD and personalized cosmetics
Clear guidelines create security in a highly dynamic market.
Retailers, beauty salons and cosmetic services
Retailers and beauty salons are responsible for complying with all cosmetic regulations. Online shops must check that labeling, product information, and mandatory disclosures are complete.
Cosmetic services such as microneedling, peels, laser or permanent make-up procedures often create borderline areas with medical device law, requiring legal classification.
- Obligations of retailers and online shops
- legal distinction between cosmetic treatments
- Risks associated with devices and apparatus procedures
Clear processes can effectively reduce liability and competitive risks.
Submit your inquiry now
We will gladly advise you comprehensively and personally on your request.
Submit your inquiry now
We will gladly advise you comprehensively and personally on your request.
Why Life Sciences Law in cosmetics law?
Life Sciences Law Ralph Schäfer combines specialized legal advice with genuine leadership experience from the life sciences industry. Admitted to the bar for 27 years, he has held various roles as in-house and external legal counsel and business manager in international companies, including General Counsel and board member of a publicly listed biotech company, as well as in associations.
These include, among others:
- 10+ years as General Counsel and Corporate Counsel international, publicly listed medical technology, biotech and pharmaceutical company
- Long-standing responsibility in senior positions, long-time member of the management team, and as a board member of a listed biotech company, with a focus on law, compliance, strategy and regulation
- Extensive experience as a compliance officer of a publicly listed biotech company
- Extensive experience at the interface of pharmaceuticals, biotech, medtech and health care
- Solution finder, strategy partner and legal guide for executive and supervisory boards
This combination of legal expertise and operational management practice enables the firm to provide advice that is legally precise, economically viable, and practically implementable. The firm stands for personal, pragmatic, and ethically oriented support in the highly regulated life sciences environment.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions about Cosmetics Law
It defines safety requirements, ingredient regulations, labeling obligations, advertising guidelines, and the role of the responsible person. Every product must be safe, correctly labeled, and registered in the CPNP.
The responsible person is legally accountable for compliance with all cosmetic regulations. No product may be placed on the market in the EU without their authorization.
Only approved and safe substances may be used. Allergens, preservatives, nanomaterials, and CMR substances are subject to strict regulations and must undergo toxicological evaluation.
Mandatory information includes the INCI list, quantity, expiration date, batch code, manufacturer's information, and specific warnings. Errors quickly lead to complaints..
Claims are problematic if they are unsubstantiated, scientifically unsound, or raise expectations that the product cannot fulfill. Particularly sensitive are promises of efficacy, anti-aging claims, or comparisons to pharmaceutical effects.
The product dossier contains safety assessment, manufacturing process, composition data, studies, packaging information, and evidence for claims. It must be available to authorities at all times.
Natural or organic cosmetics are often subject to additional standards set by private certifiers. At the same time, all requirements of the EU Cosmetics Regulation must be met. "Free-from" claims carry the risk of greenwashing.
Before placing any cosmetic product on the market, a sales ban applies without full notification.
Retailers must check that products are correctly labeled and safe. Defects must be reported and, if necessary, corrections or returns initiated.
Legal advice is particularly useful when it comes to product development, safety assessments, the review of advertising claims, dealing with cease and desist letters, questions about import and distribution, or legal aspects of new beauty trends such as CBD cosmetics or personalized products.
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Your law firm LIFE SCIENCES LAW - Ralph Schäfer – Lawyer.
- +49 8151 4466683
- ralph.schaefer@lifescienceslaw.de
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Munich Street 33
82319 Starnberg