Cosmetics
Good reasons to think about the certification of your products
The number of people with skin problems has increased in recent years. Around 20% of children in Switzerland suffer from atopic dermatitis. The rate in adults is thought to be 4–5%. Symptoms appear in the first five years of life in 85% of cases.
People with highly sensitive and allergy-prone skin depend on cosmetics without allergy triggers such as perfumes, dyes and preservatives. They need clear and concise information. This is where the Allergy Seal of Quality can help.
The requirements for obtaining the Allergy Seal of Quality
In order for cosmetics to be certified, they may contain the 81 potentially allergenic compounds only in very limited quantities. For products that remain on the skin (‘leave-on’ products), an additional requirement applies: they must not contain any of the 81 potentially allergenic compounds in a concentration exceeding 0.001% (in accordance with Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009). While legal regulations merely require certain allergenic substances to be declared once they exceed a defined concentration, the Allergy Seal of Quality stipulates that these substances must not be present in quantities exceeding the specified limits.
In addition to the basic requirements listed above, the claims "without perfume/without fragrances" and "without colourants" are also tested if they are advertised or used on the packaging.
Are you interested? Order the requirements or request a non-binding quote.
Frequently asked questions
A company that manufactures cosmetics with the Allergy Seal of Quality must, for certification, demonstrate and have implemented an allergen management system in accordance with the specifications of an HACCP concept.
In order for cosmetics to be certified, they must contain 81 allergenic compounds in very limited quantities only. The Allergy Seal of Quality prohibits these compounds in a concentration ten times lower than permitted by Swiss law. They can be advertised as "suitable for sensitive skin".
If a cosmetic product with the Allergy Seal of Quality is advertised as "without perfume", "without fragrances" or "without colourants", then it contains neither natural nor synthetic fragrances or colourants. Also, no plant extracts can be used for perfuming or colouring.
Products certified with the Allergy Seal of Quality do not necessarily have to be fragrance-free. Unlike the 81 allergenic compounds, the claim "without perfume/without fragrances" is not tested as standard.
No. Substances such as plant extracts or essential oils in natural cosmetics can also trigger allergies.
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