The International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) is a standardized system for naming ingredients used in cosmetic products, designed to ensure consistency and transparency across global markets. It helps consumers, regulators, and manufacturers easily identify ingredients regardless of language or regional regulations. INCI names are typically used on product labels.
These names can be based on scientific, chemical, or common terminology, and include botanical names for plant-derived ingredients. The INCI system is maintained by the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), and its official INCI Dictionary serves as a key reference for industry professionals, promoting ingredient transparency and compliance with safety standards globally.
What are the benefits of International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) names?
There are numerous benefits of the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) names, providing advantages for consumers, manufacturers, and regulators:
- Global Consistency: INCI names standardize the naming of cosmetic ingredients across different regions and languages, ensuring consistency and clarity on product labels worldwide. This helps consumers easily identify ingredients regardless of where the product is sold.
- Transparency: By using INCI names, cosmetic brands provide clear, uniform ingredient information. This transparency helps consumers make informed decisions, especially those with allergies, sensitivities, or ethical preferences (e.g., vegan or cruelty-free).
- Regulatory Compliance: Many countries, including the EU and the US, require cosmetic products to list ingredients by their INCI names on packaging. This ensures that manufacturers adhere to regulatory standards, reducing the risk of non-compliance.
- Consumer Trust: Standardized ingredient labeling fosters trust between manufacturers and consumers. Consumers can confidently read labels, knowing that INCI names are universally recognized and standardized, which can help build brand credibility.
- International Trade Facilitation: For manufacturers, using INCI names simplifies the exportation and sale of cosmetic products in various countries, as it meets international labeling requirements and streamlines the approval process.
What are the regulatory requirements for International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) names?
- Mandatory Ingredient Listing: Many regulatory frameworks, such as the European Union (EU) Cosmetics Regulation and FDA regulations in the United States, require that cosmetic products list their ingredients by their official INCI names. This ensures that manufacturers follow a standardized approach for ingredient labeling, enhancing consumer transparency.
- Descending Order of Ingredients: Regulatory guidelines typically stipulate that ingredients must be listed on cosmetic labels in descending order of concentration. This requirement helps consumers understand which ingredients are present in higher amounts and which are in trace amounts. Ingredients that make up less than 1% of the product can be listed in any order after the 1% mark, as long as the INCI names are used.
- Regulatory Compliance by Region:
- European Union: Under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC No 1223/2009), cosmetic products placed on the market must have their ingredients labeled using INCI names.
- United States: The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) requires cosmetic labels to list ingredients using INCI names under the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA) and Cosmetic Labeling Guide.
- Canada: The Cosmetic Regulations under the Food and Drugs Act mandate that ingredients be listed by their INCI names, ensuring safety and consistency in the labeling of cosmetic products.
- Japan: Japan’s Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Agency (PMDA) requires the use of INCI names for ingredients in cosmetics, aligning with international standards.
- Brazil: The Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) enforces the use of INCI names for the registration of cosmetic products, ensuring that ingredients are listed in accordance with international best practices.
DDReg’s Capabilities
DDReg offers comprehensive regulatory services for the cosmetics industry, ensuring compliance with global standards and regulations. Our expertise spans product registration, ingredient labeling, and safety assessments, with a particular focus on adhering to the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) standards. We assist clients in navigating the complex regulatory landscape across regions such as the EU, US, and beyond, ensuring that cosmetic products meet all legal requirements and are market ready.