Cosmetics: EU Commission mulls regulations tailored to local producers

Brussels – The European Commission is open to accommodating local cosmetics companies that use natural products. No promises, but executive vice-president Stephane Séjourné said the Commission has started discussions on the issue and the supply chain. The Commission is “evaluating the Cosmetics Regulation to determine if current rules are effective, efficient, relevant, and coherent, and whether EU requirements add value.” The ongoing evaluation will also “examine the regulation’s impact on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their competitiveness.”

Hence, the pledge to show a willingness to accommodate the sector’s needs, especially local businesses that promote the use of natural products. “If the evaluation demonstrates that the current rules are overly burdensome for small, local enterprises, the Commission will consider if they could be simplified without jeopardising consumers’ health,” Séjourné said in response to a parliamentary question from the European People’s Party. 

Developments that give industry professionals a reason for optimism. The European natural cosmetics market was valued at 21.6 billion dollars in 2025 and is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 6.4 percent from 2025 to 2035. Legislative measures could further boost a sector with a changing demand. In the case of cosmetics, consumers appear to be paying increasing attention to the use of plant‑based ingredients, minimal chemical processing, and “cruelty‑free” status, that is, products obtained without practices harmful to animal welfare.

Séjourné once again avoids taking a clear position, but continues to stress that the European Commission “recognises the importance of SMEs and artisans for the EU economy,” and precisely for this reason, the EU executive “aims to ensure that EU legislation is workable for SMEs.” This applies to the cosmetics sector as well.