Save the date: EDQM conference celebrating 60 years of excellence in public health protection

EDQM 18/01/2024 Strasbourg, France

In 2024, the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) is celebrating 60 years of excellence in the protection and promotion of public health. We are delighted to announce the organisation of a conference to mark this occasion, on 11 and 12 June 2024, in Strasbourg...

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EDQM publishes market surveillance study on formaldehyde in cosmetic products

EDQM 08/12/2023 Strasbourg, France

A market surveillance study conducted by the European Network of Official Cosmetics Control Laboratories (OCCLs) has found formaldehyde in approximately 30% of the products tested. Formaldehyde is a skin sensitiser and presumed carcinogen. Its use in cosmetic products is prohibited by European...

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Safe cosmetics for young children – Second edition provides state-of-the-art guidance on cosmetic products for infants and young children

EDQM 18/09/2023 Strasbourg, France

Soda or shampoo? Candy or soap? Young children can easily mistake certain cosmetics or even their packaging for foodstuff based on their perfume, appearance, form, colour or size. Ingesting the chemicals contained in such products is dangerous and small parts can easily be swallowed and may cause...

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2022 Highlights – EDQM annual report now available

EDQM 05/06/2023 Strasbourg, France

The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) has published its 2022 annual report, providing a comprehensive overview of its activities and achievements, and putting select data on the present state of EDQM/Council of Europe public health initiatives at your...

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EDQM OCCL study reports low compliance of “kids’ cosmetics”

EDQM 02/02/2022 Strasbourg, France

A study by the European Network of Official Cosmetics Control Laboratories (OCCLs) indicates that “kids’ cosmetics” continue to fail to comply with European quality and safety regulations, finding that 25% of samples were non-compliant with legislative requirements. Decorative cosmetics,...

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The Council of Europe appoints future EDQM Director

EDQM 28/06/2021 Strasbourg, France

The Council of Europe has appointed Petra Dörr, PhD, as future Director of the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM). She will take over the function from the current Director, Susanne Keitel, in October 2021. Petra Dörr comes to the EDQM with more than 25 years of...

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New method for determination of polar N-nitrosamines in cosmetic products

EDQM 16/12/2020 Strasbourg, France

The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) has published an analytical method for the determination of polar N-nitrosamines in cosmetic products, which was validated within the European Network of Official Cosmetics Control Laboratories (OCCLs). The method is...

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EDQM reports presence of allergenic fragrances in cosmetics sold as “perfume-free”

EDQM 15/12/2020 Strasbourg, France

A study by the European Network of Official Cosmetics Control Laboratories (OCCLs) indicates that some cosmetic products sold throughout Europe still contain excessive levels of allergy-inducing fragrances. Results showed that 7.7% of samples were non-compliant with legislative requirements due...

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Ten years at the service of consumer safety in Europe: over 600 analytical methods for cosmetics testing, 20 studies, 50 laboratories and more expected to join

EDQM 20/07/2020 Strasbourg, France

The experts of the European Committee for Cosmetics and Consumer Health (CD-P-COS) and the members of the Network of Official Cosmetics Control Laboratories (OCCLs) held a virtual meeting on 22 and 23 June to define steps for advancing consumer protection in Europe and for reinforcing...

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EDQM launches a new HelpDesk

EDQM 21/11/2019 Strasbourg, France

As part of its efforts to improve customer service, the EDQM has developed a streamlined version of its HelpDesk and FAQs platform. The new HelpDesk was redesigned on the basis of feedback received from users and now benefits from a more intuitive interface, which is expected to enhance customer...

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EDQM reports issues of non-compliance with tooth whitening products

EDQM 02/05/2019 Strasbourg, France

The quality of tooth whiteners and whitening strips was assessed in a Market Surveillance Study carried out in 12 European countries and completed in 2018 by the network of Official Cosmetics Control Laboratories (OCCLs), coordinated by the EDQM. The findings, based on the testing of 261 samples...

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