🧴 New EU Rules on Cosmetic Ingredient Names — What Brands Need to Know (Decision (EU) 2025/1175)

Zsuzsanna Hirschl-Grava
Oct 23, 2025
2 min read

The European Commission has just published Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1175, introducing a brand-new glossary of common ingredient names for cosmetic products. This glossary is an essential tool under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, ensuring that ingredient lists on product labels are clear, standardised, and consistent across all EU and EEA markets.

✨ What’s New in the 2025 Decision?

Here’s a quick overview of the key updates brands should know:

Updated glossary: The Decision replaces the previous one (Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/677) with a fully revised list of ingredient names.
Over 30,000 entries reviewed: The glossary now includes thousands of updated ingredient names, removes outdated terms, and corrects inconsistencies — particularly among aromatic compounds and colourants.
Alignment with INCI: The glossary follows the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) to harmonise terminology worldwide.
Colour Index requirement: For non-hair colourants, brands must use the CI (Colour Index) nomenclature to avoid confusion.
Transition period:
- The Decision enters into force 20 days after publication (30 July 2025).
- The new ingredient names become mandatory from 30 July 2026.
- Between these dates, companies may voluntarily adopt the new glossary.

💬 Why It Matters for Brands

Accurate and consistent ingredient names are crucial — not just for compliance, but for consumer trust and international marketing clarity. Using the correct glossary terms helps ensure that your product labels, packaging, and regulatory documents meet EU standards and avoid costly relabelling later on.

🌍 How Beauty Translations Can Help

At Beauty Translations, we specialise in beauty-sector translation and terminology management — from product descriptions and packaging to regulatory and compliance texts.

We can help you:

Update your ingredient lists according to the new EU glossary.
Translate and harmonise labels and technical documentation across multiple languages.
Maintain brand tone and consistency while staying fully compliant.