A compliant label is a legal requirement, not a design afterthought. This tutorial covers the core information your cosmetic label must carry so artwork passes review the first time.

Key takeaways

  • Include product name, function, net content and ingredients.
  • Show manufacturer/responsible person and batch code.
  • Follow your market's language and warning rules.

Mandatory information

Most markets require the product name and function, net quantity, full INCI ingredient list, batch number, expiry or period-after-opening, and the name and address of the manufacturer or responsible person. Which of the durability markings applies, and what a batch code has to let you do, is explained in our breakdown of shelf life, PAO and batch coding. If the product is fragranced, the ingredient list also has to name each fragrance allergen above the declaration threshold — our tutorial on declaring fragrance allergens on cosmetic labels walks through the calculation.

Claims and warnings

Keep claims truthful and supportable, and include any required warnings or usage directions. Avoid drug-like claims unless your product is registered as such.

Get it checked early

Have your manufacturer or a regulatory contact review the artwork against the destination market's rules before printing. Fixing a label after a print run is expensive and slow. The cheapest place to catch an error is a physical proof on the real substrate, which is one of the reasons artwork approval runs in a fixed seven-stage order.

Guidance compiled by the OEMHallmark research desk. Always verify current certifications, MOQs and terms directly with each manufacturer.