COSING
Cosing stands for Cosmetic ingredient database.
CosIng is the European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients contained in the
- Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009EN of the European Parliament and of the Council
- Cosmetics Directive 76/768/EECEN (cosmetics directive), as amended
- Glossary of common ingredient names for the purpose of labelling cosmetic products placed on the market (as established by Decision (EU) 2019/701EN of 5 April 2019)
- Opinions on cosmetic ingredients of the Scientific Committee for Consumer Safety (list of SCCS opinions)
CAS, ELINCS or EINECS numbers can be searched for in CosIng.
The database includes all data since the adoption of the Cosmetics Directive in 1976. Current data is listed as 'active', while historical data is listed as 'not active'.
Please note that ingredient assigned with an INCI name that appears in the inventory section of CosIng does not mean it is to be used in cosmetic products nor approved for such use.
Concerning ingredients used in cosmetic products as colorants, preservatives and UV filters, only those authorised in Annexes IV, V, respectively VI to Cosmetic Regulation No 1223/2009 are listed in CosIng
CosIng may also list ingredients known to be used in medicinal products.
If, due to such ingredients, a product restores, corrects, or modifies physiological functions by exerting a pharmacological, immunological or metabolic action, the product shall be qualified as a medicinal product. However, products that, while having an effect on the human body, do not significantly affect the metabolism and thus do not strictly modify the way in which it functions, may be qualified as cosmetic products.
The qualification of a product is to be decided by the national competent authorities, under the supervision of the courts, on a case-by-case basis, taking into account all the characteristics of the product.
In addition, the use of any ingredient in cosmetic products must be supported by a safety assessment of the product.
Reference data:
- Regulations: List of European regulations amending the Cosmetics Regulation.
- Annexes: List of annexes to the Cosmetics Regulation.
- Functions: List and definitions of possible functions of ingredients used in cosmetic products as
provided in the inventory. - Abbreviations: List of standard abbreviations used in the INCI names.