Return to Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations Cosmetic
Products Contents
Code of Federal Regulations
Title 21, Volume 7, Parts 600 to 799
Revised as of April 1, 1996
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
CITE: 21CFR701
Page 180-192
TITLE 21--FOOD AND DRUGS
CHAPTER I--FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES--(Continued)
PART 701--COSMETIC LABELING
Subpart A--General Provisions
Sec.
701.1 Misbranding.
701.2 Form of stating labeling requirements.
701.3 Designation of ingredients.
701.9 Exemptions from labeling requirements.
Authority: Secs. 201, 502, 601, 602, 603, 701, 704 of the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321, 352, 361, 362, 363, 371,
374); secs. 5, 6 of the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (15 U.S.C. 1454,
1455).
Source: 39 FR 10056, Mar. 15, 1974, unless otherwise noted.
Subpart A--General Provisions
Sec. 701.1 Misbranding.
(a) Among representations in labeling of a cosmetic which render
such cosmetic misbranded is a false or misleading representation with
respect to another cosmetic or a food, drug, or device.
(b) The labeling of a cosmetic which contains two or more
ingredients may be misleading by reason (among other reasons) of the
designation of such cosmetic in such labeling by a name which includes
or suggests the name of one or more but not all such ingredients, even
though the names of all such ingredients are stated elsewhere in the
labeling.
Sec. 701.2 Form of stating labeling requirements.
(a) A word, statement, or other information required by or under
authority of the Act to appear on the label may lack that prominence and
conspicuousness required by section 602(c) of the Act by reason (among
other reasons) of:
(1) The failure of such word, statement, or information to appear on
the part or panel of the label which is
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presented or displayed under customary conditions of purchase;
(2) The failure of such word, statement, or information to appear on
two or more parts or panels of the label, each of which has sufficient
space therefor, and each of which is so designed as to render it likely
to be, under customary conditions of purchase, the part or panel
displayed;
(3) The failure of the label to extend over the area of the
container or package available for such extension, so as to provide
sufficient label space for the prominent placing of such word,
statement, or information;
(4) Insufficiency of label space (for the prominent placing of such
word, statement, or information) resulting from the use of label space
for any word, statement, design, or device which is not required by or
under authority of the Act to appear on the label;
(5) Insufficiency of label space (for the prominent placing of such
word, statement, or information) resulting from the use of label space
to give materially greater conspicuousness to any other word, statement,
or information, or to any design or device;
(6) Smallness or style of type in which such word, statement, or
information appears, insufficient background contrast, obscuring designs
or vignettes, or crowding with other written, printed, or graphic
matter.
(b)(1) All words, statements, and other information required by or
under authority of the Act to appear on the label or labeling shall
appear thereon in the English language: Provided, however, That in the
case of articles distributed solely in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
or in a Territory where the predominant language is one other than
English, the predominant language may be substituted for English.
(2) If the label contains any representation in a foreign language,
all words, statements, and other information required by or under
authority of the Act to appear on the label shall appear thereon in the
foreign language.
(3) If the labeling contains any representation in a foreign
language, all words, statements, and other information required by or
under authority of the Act to appear on the label or labeling shall
appear on the labeling in the foreign language.
Sec. 701.3 Designation of ingredients.
(a) The label on each package of a cosmetic shall bear a declaration
of the name of each ingredient in descending order of predominance,
except that fragrance or flavor may be listed as fragrance or flavor. An
ingredient which is both fragrance and flavor shall be designated by
each of the functions it performs unless such ingredient is identified
by name. No ingredient may be designated as fragrance or flavor unless
it is within the meaning of such term as commonly understood by
consumers. Where one or more ingredients is accepted by the Food and
Drug Administration as exempt from public disclosure pursuant to the
procedure established in Sec. 720.8(a) of this chapter, in lieu of label
declaration of identity the phrase ``and other ingredients'' may be used
at the end of the ingredient declaration.
(b) The declaration of ingredients shall appear with such prominence
and conspicuousness as to render it likely to be read and understood by
ordinary individuals under normal conditions of purchase. The
declaration shall appear on any appropriate information panel in letters
not less than \1/16\ of an inch in height and without obscuring design,
vignettes, or crowding. In the absence of sufficient space for such
declaration on the package, or where the manufacturer or distributor
wishes to use a decorative container, the declaration may appear on a
firmly affixed tag, tape, or card. In those cases where there is
insufficient space for such declaration on the package, and it is not
practical to firmly affix a tag, tape, or card, the Commissioner may
establish by regulation an acceptable alternate, e.g., a smaller type
size. A petition requesting such a regulation as an amendment to this
paragraph shall be submitted pursuant to part 10 of this chapter.
(c) A cosmetic ingredient shall be identified in the declaration of
ingredients by:
(1) The name specified in Sec. 701.30 as established by the
Commissioner for that ingredient for the purpose of
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cosmetic ingredient labeling pursuant to paragraph (e) of this section;
(2) In the absence of the name specified in Sec. 701.30, the name
adopted for that ingredient in the following editions and supplements of
the following compendia, listed in order as the source to be utilized:
(i) CTFA (Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association, Inc.)
Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary, Second Ed., 1977 (available from the
Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association, Inc. 1110 Vermont Ave.
NW., Suite 800, Washington, DC 20005, or available for inspection at the
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite
700, Washington, DC 20408), which is incorporated by reference, except
for the following deletions and revisions:
(a) The following names are not adopted for the purpose of cosmetic
ingredient labeling:
Acid Black 58
Acid Black 107
Acid Black 139
Acid Blue 168
Acid Blue 170
Acid Blue 188
Acid Blue 209
Acid Brown 19
Acid Brown 30
Acid Brown 44
Acid Brown 45
Acid Brown 46
Acid Brown 48
Acid Brown 224
Acid Orange 80
Acid Orange 85
Acid Orange 86
Acid Orange 88
Acid Orange 89
Acid Orange 116
Acid Red 131
Acid Red 213
Acid Red 252
Acid Red 259
Acid Violet 73
Acid Violet 76
Acid Violet 99
Acid Yellow 114
Acid Yellow 127
Direct Yellow 81
Solvent Black 5
Solvent Brown 43
Solvent Yellow 63
Solvent Yellow 90
(b) The following names are adopted for the purpose of cosmetic
ingredient labeling, provided the respective monographs are revised to
describe their otherwise disclosed chemical compositions, or describe
their chemical compositions more precisely, and such revised monographs
are published in supplements to this dictionary edition by July 18,
1980.
Acid Black 2
Benzophenone-11
Carbomer 934
Carbomer 934P
Carbomer 940
Carbomer 941
Carbomer 960
Carbomer 961
Chlorofluorocarbon 11S
Dimethicone Copolyol
Disperse Red 17
Pigment Green 7
Polyamino Sugar Condensate
SD Alcohol (all 27 alphanumeric designations)
Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate
Synthetic Beeswax
(c) The following names are adopted for the purpose of cosmetic
ingredient labeling until January 19, 1981.
Amphoteric (all 20 numeric designations)
Quaternium (all 49 numeric designations)
(ii) United States Pharmacopeia, 19th Ed., 1975, and Second
Supplement to the USP XIX and NF XIV, 1976. (Copies are available from
the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc., 12601 Twinbrook Parkway,
Rockville, MD 20852, or available for inspection at the Office of the
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington,
DC 20408.)
(iii) National Formulary, 14th Ed., 1975, and Second Supplement to
the USP XIX and NF XIV, 1976. (Copies are available from the U.S.
Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc., 12601 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD
20852, or available for inspection at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC
20408).
(iv) Food Chemicals Codex, 2d Ed., 1972; First Supplement, 1974, and
Second Supplement, 1975, which are incorporated by reference. Copies are
available from the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food
and Drug Administration, 200 C St. SW., Washington, DC 20204, or
available for inspection at the Office of the Federal Register, 800
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC 20408.
(v) USAN and the USP dictionary of drug names, USAN 1975, 1961-1975
Page 183
cumulative list. (Copies are available from the U.S. Pharmacopeial
Convention, Inc., 12601 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852, or
available for inspection at the Office of the Federal Register, 800
North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC 20408.)
(3) In the absence of such a listing, the name generally recognized
by consumers.
(4) In the absence of any of the above, the chemical or other
technical name or description.
(d) Where a cosmetic product is also a drug, the declaration shall
first declare the active drug ingredients as required under section
502(e) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and shall then
declare the cosmetic ingredients.
(e) Interested persons may submit a petition requesting the
establishment of a specific name for a cosmetic ingredient pursuant to
part 10 of this chapter. The Commissioner may also propose such a name
on his own initiative.
(f) As an alternative to listing all ingredients in descending order
of predominance, ingredients may be grouped and the groups listed in the
following manner and order:
(1) Ingredients, other than color additives, present at a
concentration greater than 1 percent, in descending order of
predominance; followed by
(2) Ingredients, other than color additives, present at a
concentration of not more than 1 percent, without respect to order of
predominance; followed by
(3) Color additives, without respect to order of predominance.
Ingredients specified in paragraph (f)(2) of this section may be
included with those specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this section and
listed in descending order of predominance.
(g) A declaration of ingredients may include an ingredient not in
the product if the ingredient is identified by the phrase ``may
contain'' and:
(1) It is a color additive added to some batches of the product for
purposes of color matching; or
(2)(i) The same declaration of ingredients is also used for other
products similar in composition and intended for the same use, including
products which may be assortments of products similar in composition and
intended for the same use; and
(ii) Such products are ``shaded'' products, i.e., those falling
within the product categories identified in Sec. 720.4 (c)(3), (7) and
(8)(v) of this chapter; and
(iii) All products sharing the common declaration of ingredients are
sold by the labeler under a common trade name or brand designation, and
no trade name or brand designation not common to all such products
appears in the labeling of any of them; and
(iv) The ingredient is a color additive.
(h) As an alternative to a declaration of color additive ingredients
for each product, the color additives of an assortment of cosmetic
products that are sold together in the same package may be declared in a
single composite list in a manner that is not misleading and that
indicates that the list pertains to all the products.
(i) As an alternative to the declaration of ingredients specified in
paragraph (b) of this section, the declaration of ingredients may appear
in letters not less than \1/16\ of an inch in height in labeling
accompanying the product, as for example, on padded sheets or in
leaflets, if the total surface area of the package is less than 12
square inches. This paragraph is inapplicable to any packaged cosmetic
product enclosed in an outer container, e.g., a folding carton. In
addition, this paragraph is applicable only to cosmetic products meeting
one of the following requirements:
(1) The cosmetic products are held and displayed for sale in tightly
compartmented trays or racks of a display unit. The holder of the
labeling bearing the declaration of ingredients shall be attached to the
display unit; or
(2) The cosmetic products are ``shaded'' products, i.e., those
falling within the product categories identified in Sec. 720.4 (c)(3),
(7) and (8)(v) of this chapter, and are held for sale in tightly
compartmented trays or racks. The holder of the labeling bearing the
declaration of ingredients shall be attached to a display chart bearing
samples of the product shades, which is displayed to purchasers. Such a
display chart shall be of such construction and design as to permit its
continuous use
Page 184
as a display, such as on a counter, and shall be designed for the
primary purpose of displaying samples of the shades of the products.
(j) The holder of labeling bearing a declaration of ingredients and
used in accordance with paragraph (i) of this section shall be attached
to the display unit or chart and shall meet one of the following
conditions:
(1) The labeling is on the front of the display unit or chart and
can be read in full by a purchaser facing the display unit or chart
under customary conditions of retail sale; or
(2) The labeling is on the front of the display unit or chart, is
partially visible, and is accompanied by a conspicuous notice on the
front of the display unit or chart describing the location of such
labeling in letters not less than \3/16\ of an inch in height, e.g.,
``Ingredient lists above'', that can be read by a purchaser facing the
display unit or chart under customary conditions of retail sale, or by
the notice required by provisions in paragraph (k)(3) of this section,
if conspicuous at all times; or
(3) The labeling is on a side of the display unit or chart, but not
on the top, back, or bottom, and is accompanied by a conspicuous notice
on the front of the display unit or chart describing the location of
such labeling in letters not less than \3/16\ of an inch in height,
e.g., ``Ingredient lists located on right side of display'', that can be
read by a purchaser facing the display unit or chart under customary
conditions of retail sale.
(k) Any use of a display unit or chart bearing labeling under the
provisions of paragraph (i) of this section shall meet the following
requirements:
(1) All articles of labeling bearing ingredient declarations and
used in conjunction with any one display unit or chart shall be
identical and shall declare the ingredients of all products sold in
conjunction with the display unit or chart for which the ingredient
declaration is made pursuant to paragraph (i) of this section.
(2) Any display unit or chart intended for such use shall be shipped
together with the labeling intended to be attached to it.
(3) Every display unit or chart and/or labeling system shall be
designed so that the words ``Federal law requires ingredient lists to be
displayed here'' in letters not less than \3/16\ of an inch in height
(i) become conspicuous when no ingredient declarations are displayed and
when the last list has been taken, or (ii) are conspicuous at all times
adjacent to the place where ingredient declarations are to be attached.
(4) Any labeling containing a declaration of ingredients which
reflects a formulation change and not shipped accompanying a display
unit or chart shall be dated. Whenever any formulation change is made,
and the labeling containing the declaration of ingredients is thereby
required to be used in conjunction with products of both the old and new
formulations, the labeling shall declare the ingredients of both the old
and new formulations separately in a way that is not misleading and in a
way that permits the purchaser to identify the ingredient declaration
applicable to each package, or which clearly advises the purchaser that
the formulation has been changed and that either declaration may be
applicable.
(5) Sufficient copies of the declaration of ingredients shall be
provided with each shipment of a cosmetic so that a purchaser may obtain
a copy of the declaration with each purchase. Display units and
replacement labeling for display units shall be accompanied by
instructions to the retailer, which when followed will result in
compliance with the requirements of this section. Copies of the
declaration accompanying refills shall be attached to the specific
refill items to which they pertain, or shall be packed with the specific
refill items to which they pertain, in a container that does not contain
other cosmetic products.
(6) The firm whose name appears on a product pursuant to Sec. 701.12
shall promptly mail a copy of the declaration of ingredients to any
person requesting it.
(7) The display unit or chart shall be designed and located such
that the labeling is easily accessible to a purchaser facing the display
unit or chart under customary conditions of retail sale.
(l) The provisions of this section do not require the declaration of
Page 185
incidental ingredients that are present in a cosmetic at insignificant
levels and that have no technical or functional effect in the cosmetic.
For the purpose of this paragraph, incidental ingredients are:
(1) Substances that have no technical or functional effect in the
cosmetic but are present by reason of having been incorporated into the
cosmetic as an ingredient of another cosmetic ingredient.
(2) Processing aids, which are as follows:
(i) Substances that are added to a cosmetic during the processing of
such cosmetic but are removed from the cosmetic in accordance with good
manufacturing practices before it is packaged in its finished form.
(ii) Substances that are added to a cosmetic during processing for
their technical or functional effect in the processing, are converted to
substances the same as constituents of declared ingredients, and do not
significantly increase the concentration of those constituents.
(iii) Substances that are added to a cosmetic during the processing
of such cosmetic for their technical and functional effect in the
processing but are present in the finished cosmetic at insignificant
levels and do not have any technical or functional effect in that
cosmetic.
(m) In the event that there is a current or anticipated shortage of
a cosmetic ingredient, the declaration required by this section may
specify alternatives to any ingredients that may be affected. An
alternative ingredient shall be declared either (1) immediately
following the normally used ingredient for which it substitutes, in
which case it shall be identified as an alternative ingredient by the
word ``or'' following the name of the normally used ingredient and any
other alternative ingredient, or (2) following the declaration of all
normally used ingredients, in which case the alternative ingredients in
the group so listed shall be listed in expected descending order of
predominance or in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (f) of
this section and shall be identified as alternative ingredients by the
phrase ``may also contain''. This paragraph is inapplicable to any
ingredient mentioned in advertising, or in labeling other than in the
declaration of ingredients required by this section.
(n) In the event that the shortage of a cosmetic ingredient
necessitates a formulation change, packages bearing labels declaring the
ingredients of the old formulation may be used if the revised ingredient
declaration appears (1) on a firmly affixed tag, tape, card, or sticker
or similar overlabeling attached to the package and bearing the
conspicuous words ``new ingredient list'' in letters not less than \1/
16\ of an inch in height, or (2) on labeling inside an unsealed package
and the package bears the conspicuous words, on a sticker or similar
overlabeling, ``new ingredient list inside'' in letters not less than
\1/16\ of an inch in height.
(o) The ingredients of products that are similar in composition and
intended for the same use may be declared as follows:
(1) The declaration of ingredients for an assortment of such
products that are sold together in the same package, e.g., eyeshadows of
different colors, may declare the ingredients that are common to all the
products, in a single list in their cumulative order of predominance or
in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (f) of this section,
together with a statement, in terms that are as informative as
practicable and that are not misleading, declaring the other ingredients
and identifying the products in which they are present. The color
additive ingredients of all the products in such an assortment, whether
or not common to all the products, may be declared in a single composite
list following the declaration of the other ingredients without
identifying the products in which they are present.
(2) The ingredients of an assortment of such products that are sold
together in the same package, e.g., eyeshadows of different colors, may
be declared in a single list in their cumulative order of predominance
or in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (f) of this section,
if the package is designed such that it has a total surface area
available to bear labeling of less than 12 square inches. For the
purpose of this paragraph, surface area is not available
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for labeling if physical characteristics of the package surface, e.g.,
decorative relief, make application of a label impractical.
(3) The declaration of ingredients for such a product that is
individually packaged and bears a label that is shared with other
products pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (g)(2) of this section,
e.g., one lipstick in a line of lipsticks, may declare the ingredients
that are common to all such products, in a single list in their
cumulative order of predominance or in accordance with the provisions of
paragraph (f) of this section, together with a statement, in terms that
are as informative as practicable and that are not misleading, declaring
the other ingredients in such products, and identifying the products in
which they are present. The color additive ingredients shall be declared
in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (g) of this section.
(4) The declaration of ingredients for an assortment of such
cosmetic products that bears a label that is shared with other products
pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (g)(2) of this section, e.g.,
one of several compacts in a line of compacts, may declare the
ingredients that are common to all such products, in a single list in
their cumulative order of predominance or in accordance with the
provisions of paragraph (f) of this section, together with a statement,
in terms that are as informative as practicable and that are not
misleading, declaring the other ingredients in such products and
identifying the products in which they are present. The color additive
ingredients shall be declared in accordance with the provisions of
paragraph (g) of this section.
(p) As an alternative to the declaration of ingredients in letters
not less than \1/16\ of an inch in height, letters may be not less than
\1/32\ of an inch in height if the package is designed such that it has
a total surface area available to bear labeling of less than 12 square
inches. For the purpose of this paragraph, surface area is not available
for labeling if physical characteristics of the package surface, e.g.,
decorative relief, make application of a label impractical.
(q) The inside containers in a multiunit or multicomponent retail
cosmetic package are not required to bear a declaration of ingredients
when the labeling of the multiunit or multicomponent retail cosmetic
package meets all the requirements of this section and the inside
containers are not intended to be, and are not customarily, separated
from the retail package for retail sale.
(r) In the case of cosmetics distributed to the consumers by direct
mail, as an alternative to the declaration of ingredients on an
information panel, the declaration of ingredients may appear in letters
not less than \1/16\ of an inch in height in labeling that accompanies
and specifically relates to the cosmetic(s) mailed, or in labeling
furnished to each consumer for his personal use and from which he orders
cosmetics through the mail, e.g., a direct mail sales catalog or
brochure, provided all of the following additional requirements are met:
(1) The declarations of ingredients are conspicuous and presented in
a way that permits the consumer to identify the declaration of
ingredients applicable to each cosmetic.
(2) The package mailed to the consumer is accompanied by a notice
located on, or affixed to, the top of the package or on top of the
contents inside the package, or on the face of the package platform
surrounding and holding the product(s), readily visible to the consumer
on opening of the package, and provides the following information in
letters not less than \3/16\ of an inch in height:
(i) The location of the declarations of ingredients, e.g., in an
accompanying brochure, or in a sales catalog used for ordering;
(ii) A statement that a copy of the declaration of ingredients will
be mailed promptly to any person requesting it; and
(iii) The name and place of business of the mail order distributor,
(3) The mail order distributor promptly mails a copy of the
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declaration of ingredients to any person requesting it.
39 FR 10056, Mar. 15, 1974, as amended at 40 FR 8922, Mar. 3, 1975; 40
FR 18426, Apr. 28, 1975; 42 FR 4718, Jan. 25, 1977; 42 FR 15676, Mar.
22, 1977; 42 FR 24255, May 31, 1977; 42 FR 46516, Sept. 16, 1977; 42 FR
61257, Dec. 2, 1977; 45 FR 3577, Jan. 18, 1980; 47 FR 9397, Mar. 5,
1982; 54 FR 24900, June 12, 1989
Sec. 701.9 Exemptions from labeling requirements.
(a) Except as provided by paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, a
shipment or other delivery of a cosmetic which is, in accordance with
the practice of the trade, to be processed, labeled, or repacked in
substantial quantity at an establishment other than that where
originally processed or packed, shall be exempt, during the time of
introduction into and movement in interstate commerce and the time of
holding in such establishment, from compliance with the labeling
requirements of sections 601(a) and 602(b) of the act if:
(1) The person who introduced such shipment or delivery into
interstate commerce is the operator of the establishment where such
cosmetic is to be processed, labeled, or repacked; or
(2) In case such person is not such operator, such shipment or
delivery is made to such establishment under a written agreement, signed
by and containing the post office addresses of such person and such
operator, and containing such specifications for the processing,
labeling, or repacking, as the case may be, of such cosmetic in such
establishment as will insure, if such specifications are followed, that
such cosmetic will not be adulterated or misbranded within the meaning
of the act upon completion of such processing, labeling, or repacking.
Such person and such operator shall each keep a copy of such agreement
until 2 years after the final shipment or delivery of such cosmetic from
such establishment, and shall make such copies available for inspection
at any reasonable hour to any officer or employee of the Department who
requests them.
(b) An exemption of a shipment or other delivery of a cosmetic under
paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall, at the beginning of the act of
removing such shipment or delivery, or any part thereof, from such
establishment, become void ab initio if the cosmetic comprising such
shipment, delivery, or part is adulterated or misbranded within the
meaning of the act when so removed.
(c) An exemption of a shipment or other delivery of a cosmetic under
paragraph (a)(2) of this section shall become void ab initio with
respect to the person who introduced such shipment or delivery into
interstate commerce upon refusal by such person to make available for
inspection a copy of the agreement, as required by such clause.
(d) An exemption of a shipment or other delivery of a cosmetic under
paragraph (a)(2) of this section shall expire:
(1) At the beginning of the act of removing such shipment or
delivery, or any part thereof, from such establishment if the cosmetic
comprising such shipment, delivery, or part is adulterated or misbranded
within the meaning of the act when so removed; or
(2) Upon refusal by the operator of the establishment where such
cosmetic is to be processed, labeled, or repacked, to make available for
inspection a copy of the agreement, as required by such clause.
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