Direct answer: A CosIng search result is a reference entry, not an EU approval certificate for a hair product or its formula. The European Commission says the database is informative and has no legal value; an INCI name in the inventory does not by itself mean a substance is approved for cosmetic use. To assess a specific EU-market product, check the relevant annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, its exact use and concentration, the product’s safety assessment, and its responsible-person and notification context.
What CosIng is designed to show
CosIng brings together information about cosmetic substances and ingredients, common ingredient names used for labelling, references to the cosmetics regulation and the earlier directive, and published opinions of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety. The Commission notes that the database includes historical material dating back to 1976. Entries can be marked active or not active, but those database labels should not be mistaken for a stand-alone decision on whether a finished hair product can be sold.
That distinction matters when a search engine returns a familiar ingredient name. A result can help identify spelling, synonyms, CAS or EC identifiers, an older record, or a link to a scientific opinion. It does not establish that the formula, concentration, exposure pattern or final product complies with EU requirements.
Ingredient entry, legal condition and product assessment are different questions
| Question | Where to check | What the answer still does not prove |
|---|---|---|
| Is this the substance I mean? | Compare the INCI name, synonyms, CAS/EC identifiers and record notes | That a supplier material or finished formula has been correctly identified |
| Is a use prohibited or restricted? | Read the current text of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, especially Annex II and Annex III | That a use outside the listed conditions is acceptable |
| Is a colorant, preservative or UV filter authorised? | Check the relevant positive list: Annex IV, V or VI, including limits, product type and warnings | That every formula containing the ingredient is compliant |
| Can the finished product be placed on the EU market? | Check the product-level requirements, including safety assessment, product information file, responsible person, labelling and CPNP notification duties | That a database entry alone grants a market authorisation |
The Commission’s own notice says only Regulation 1223/2009 and its annexes determine whether, and under which conditions, substances may be used. It also says use of any cosmetic ingredient must be supported by a safety assessment of the product. The database may contain contextual information that has no direct regulatory effect.
A practical CosIng lookup workflow for a hair ingredient
- Write down the exact label name. Capture the full ingredient list from the product sold in the relevant market, including the product variant and label version. Do not substitute a retailer title, translated marketing name or ingredient shorthand.
- Search identifiers as well as words. Look up the INCI name and, where available, CAS or EC number. If several entries appear, record the identifier and any synonym rather than selecting the first matching phrase.
- Read the record status and history. Note whether an entry is labelled active or not active and whether the information is historical. “Active” is a database descriptor; it does not certify a finished product, formula or claim.
- Open the regulation itself. Search the current consolidated legal text and the relevant annex. Check whether the substance is prohibited, restricted, or listed for a regulated function such as a colorant, preservative or UV filter. Read concentration limits, product categories, application area, warnings and conditions together.
- Check the formula’s actual use. A chemical identity can be the same while the function, concentration, exposure route and product type differ. A hair dye, rinse-off shampoo, leave-on scalp serum and smoothing product do not necessarily have the same exposure context.
- Keep product-level documents separate. A supplier specification, safety data sheet, CosIng result or ingredient page is not the finished cosmetic product safety report. Ask for the product-specific safety assessment and responsible-person information where appropriate.
- Save a dated record. Keep the query, identifier, database result date, legal text version and annex provision you checked. Recheck before making a current compliance statement because legislation and database records can change.
Common search mistakes
“It appears in CosIng, so it is approved”
The Commission explicitly warns against this inference. An INCI entry can be present without approval for use. Regulatory status depends on the legislation and the conditions attached to a particular substance and use.
“It is not in one annex, so it is unrestricted”
Absence from a positive list is not proof of unrestricted use. Check the full regulation, including prohibited and restricted substances, the ingredient’s function, and any applicable safety or classification rules. A quick database search cannot replace that legal review.
“The ingredient has a safety opinion, so my product is safe”
A scientific opinion may address a substance under stated assumptions and conditions. It is not a product-specific assessment of every hair formula or consumer exposure. Product composition and intended use matter.
“The label name and CosIng name look similar”
Similar words can refer to a synonym, a salt, a different form, or a historical record. Match identifiers and the exact substance before comparing an entry with a label. If identity remains uncertain, record it as unresolved instead of claiming a match.
Questions people ask about EU hair product ingredients
Does a CosIng entry mean a hair dye is approved by the EU?
No. CosIng is an informative database, not an approval database for individual products. Check the ingredient’s actual legal status and conditions, then assess the finished product against applicable EU cosmetic requirements.
What does “active” mean in CosIng?
The Commission describes current data as “active” and historical data as “not active.” Those labels help interpret the record; they do not by themselves determine whether a particular formula is legally usable.
Should a salon rely on a supplier’s ingredient search?
A search can help identify a term or locate a legal reference. It cannot establish that a product supplied to a salon complies with EU law or is suitable for a client. Use product-specific instructions and documentation, and refer compliance questions to the responsible person or competent authority.
Does this article apply to the United Kingdom, United States or Philippines?
This method discusses the European Union database and EU Cosmetics Regulation. Other markets have their own rules and databases. A CosIng result does not establish compliance in another jurisdiction.
Scope and sources
Checked 2 October 2026. This is a source-reading guide, not a review of any named ingredient, brand, formula or hair product. It does not determine legal compliance, medical safety or suitability for an individual. Always use the current legal text and product-specific documents.
European Commission: CosIng database and its legal-status notice · EUR-Lex: Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products · European Commission: Search CosIng
Leave a Reply