The presence of banned substances in cosmetic products continues to put consumers’ health at risk. The 17th meeting of the Network of Official Cosmetics Control Laboratories (OCCLs) – held in Strasbourg on 24 and 25 March – brought together members and experts from the Network and the European Committee for Cosmetics and Consumer Health (CD-P-COS) to share data and set priorities for activities.
Chaired by Ms Anna Willems of the Netherlands’ Ministry of Health, the hybrid meeting attracted participants from 30 countries. Over the course of the two days, increased cross-border collaboration for cosmetic market surveillance was highlighted as essential to protecting consumer health. In this context, the EDQM presented OCCL Connect – a new electronic platform for OCCL Network members launched in April 2026 – that is intended to support closer collaboration and facilitate information exchange between OCCLs.
The participants also discussed recent studies and findings and prepared for new projects, including:
- the outcome of a co-ordinated market surveillance study (MSS) on cosmetics specifically designed to appeal to children and marketed to child audiences, highlighting concerns about product quality;
- technical exchanges on testing of phthalates in perfumes and on the prohibited colourant Solvent Red in cosmetics;
- the organisation of a future pan-European MSS on nail gels, in response to increased use and a rise in reported allergic reactions.
Each year, the OCCLs conduct MSSs on a wide variety of cosmetic products, ranging from make-up and face masks to hair products and baby lotions. Further co-operation and co-ordination at the Network level significantly increases the impact of these studies, providing a broader picture of the products available to consumers while optimising resources. The identification and removal of products not complying with the regulations in place helps keep consumers safe.
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