Notes on Cosmetics Labeling Standards in the US
Written on June 19th, 2009 by praneshContinuing on the theme of Cosmetics Labeling Standards , the follow are my notes on US Standards.
A label may consist of more than one panel. It may consist of a front panel, side panels and a back panel. Back and side panels are generally called information panels.
The “principal display panel” is that part of a panel that is most likely to be shown or examined under customary conditions of display for retail sale. Usually, it is the front panel of the label of the outer package.
Labeling
The following information must appear on the label of the outer container, which usually is a box, folding carton, wrapper etc. holding the inner (immediate) container.
Principal display panel
Name of product
Identity
Warning
Net quantity of contents
Information panels
Directions for safe use
Warnings
Name and place of business
Ingredient declaration
Another required information
The following information must appear on the label of the inner (immediate) container holding the cosmetic product.
Front panel
Name of Product
Information panels
Directions for Safe use
Warnings
Name and Place of Business
Net Quantity of Contents
Any Other Required Information
Panel display: The required information must be on a panel, which is presented or displayed under customary conditions of purchase. This eliminates placement of required information on a bottom panel of a cosmetic unless it is very small and customarily picked up by hand where inspected for possible purchase.
Panel Size: The label must be large enough to provide sufficient space for prominent display of the required information.
Style and Size of Letters: The type must be of such size, and at least of the required minimum size, and have such style that the required label statements are easily readable.
Ingredients: 1/16″ / 1/32″(labeling surface, less than 12 sq. in.)
Net contents: 1/16″ (PDP Less Than 5 Sq. In.) / 1/8″ (PDP 5-25 Sq.In.) / 3/16″ (PDP 25-100 Sq.In.)
Warning: 1/16″
Letter Height: The lower case letter “o” or equivalent when upper and lower case letters are used.
Background Contrast: The contrast must be sufficient to make the required label statements conspicuous and easily readable.
Obscuring Designs, Vignettes: The required statements must not be obscured by vignettes or other designs or by crowding with other printed or graphic matter.
Name and place of business
The name and business address appearing on the label may be those of the manufacturer, packer or distributor.
Corporate name
Manufactured for …
Distributed by …
Address
Principal place of business
Location: If the cosmetic is sold at retail in an outer container, the net contents statement must appear (1) within the bottom 30% of the PDP of the outer container, generally parallel in line to the base on which the package rests, and (2) on an information panel of the inner container. The bottom location requirement is waived for PDPs of 5 square inches or less.
The PDP may be a tear-away tag or tape affixed to a decorative container or to a container of less than 1/4 oz., or it may be the panel of a display card to which the container is affixed.
Prominence: The declaration must be a distinct item, separated from other printed matter by a space equal to at least the height of the lettering used in the declaration and twice the width of the letter “N”.
Conspicuousness: The print must be easily legible bold face type in distinct contract to background and other matter on the package. The letter height must be at least that of the lower case letter “o”, and the aspect ratio of height to width must not exceed 3:1.
The type size, should be same as mentioned in labeling.
Warning Statement
Regulations also require that the label of a cosmetic product shall bear a warning statement whenever necessary or appropriate to prevent a health hazard that may be associated with the product.
Prominence: A warning statement must appear on the label prominently and conspicuously as compared to other words, statements or designs so that it is likely to be read by ordinary consumers at the time of purchase and use.
Conspicuousness: The lettering must be in bold type on contrasting background and may in no case be less than 1/16 inch in height.
Language Statement
All label or labeling statements required by law or regulation must be in the English language. If labeling bears foreign language representations, the required statements must appear on the label or other labeling as required in English.
Ingredient labeling
The ingredient declaration may appear on any information panel of the package, which is the outer container in form of a folding carton, box, wrapper etc. if the immediate container is so packaged, or which is the jar, bottle, box etc.
Prominence: The declaration must appear with prominence and conspicuousness so that it is likely to be read and understood (read with ease) by ordinary individuals under normal conditions of purchase. The letters must not be obscured by design, vignettes, background or crowding.
Type Size: Not less than 1/16 inch in height. It may be not less than 1/32 inch in height if the total surface area available to bear labeling (which excludes bottom, shoulder, neck, flange, decorative or sculptured surfaces) is less than 12 square inches.
The type size consisting of upper and lower case letters is determined by the height of the lower case letter “o”.
