Andean Community Extends Deadline for Compliance with Cosmetic Labeling Regulation

The General Secretariat of the Andean Community has issued Resolution No. 2458, postponing the enforcement date of Resolution No. 2310, which establishes the Andean Technical Regulation on the Labeling of Cosmetic Products. The new compliance deadline is now set for December 17, 2025.

Background on Resolution 2310

Resolution 2310, originally published on December 16, 2022, set out harmonized labeling requirements for cosmetic products in the Andean Community (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru). The regulation aims to prevent misleading claims and protect consumer health and safety, ensuring that product labels contain clear and accurate information.

Key labeling requirements include:

• Product name and function
• Manufacturer or importer details
• Country of origin
• List of ingredients using the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI)
• Expiry date or shelf life
• Warnings and usage instructions (where applicable)

Additionally, the regulation prohibits misleading statements regarding therapeutic properties and ensures that compliance does not create unnecessary technical barriers to trade.

Decision to Extend the Deadline

The regulation was initially set to take effect 24 months after publication, making it enforceable from December 16, 2024. However, industry stakeholders expressed concerns over the time required for compliance, particularly regarding labeling modifications and process adjustments.

In response, the Andean Committee on Quality and the Group of Government Experts on Health Legislation Harmonization reviewed the issue in meetings held on November 29 and December 3, 2024. Both bodies endorsed the one-year extension, acknowledging the industry's need for additional time to adapt to the new standards.

Implications for the Cosmetic Industry

This extension provides cosmetic manufacturers and distributors additional time to ensure compliance with the regulation. It aims to prevent potential supply chain disruptions and facilitate a smoother transition to the updated labeling requirements. Gonzalo Gutiérrez Reinel, Secretary General of the Andean Community, signed the resolution, confirming its immediate entry into force upon publication in the Official Gazette of the Cartagena Agreement, for further details you can find the Resolution here (in Spanish).