Mandatory Labelling Requirements for Cosmetics in Ireland & the EU (Natural Perfumes Edition)

Mandatory Labelling Requirements for Cosmetics in Ireland & the EU (Natural Perfumes Edition)

Thinking of selling your own natural perfumes? Before you design your labels, there are specific legal requirements you must meet under EU Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (and its UK equivalent). Missing even one can make your product non-compliant.

This page gives you the essentials at a glance — and if you want the full step-by-step breakdown, you can download our free Compliance Cheat Sheet when you join the Natural Botanical Perfumers Club.

What Must Go on Every Label

Here are the core requirements for leave-on products like perfume:

Product Name & Function – e.g. “Lavender & Vetiver Natural Perfume”
Ingredients List (INCI names) – must use INCI, not common names, listed in descending order of weight.
Allergens – certain fragrance allergens must be listed if above thresholds (0.001% for leave-on).
Net Contents – in ml or g, e.g. “30 ml”.
Durability – “Best Before” date if <30 months shelf life, otherwise use the PAO (Period After Opening) symbol (e.g. “12M”).
Batch or Lot Number – even small makers must code batches for traceability.
Responsible Person Name & Address – must be within the EU or UK.
Warnings / Usage Instructions – e.g. “For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes.”
Country of Origin – if made outside the EU.

Understanding Allergens

Fragrance allergens occur naturally in many essential oils. You are legally required to declare them if present above 0.001% in perfumes.

Most common allergens you’ll see on labels:
Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Geraniol, Eugenol, Farnesol, Isoeugenol, Benzyl alcohol, Benzyl benzoate, Benzyl salicylate, Cinnamal, Cinnamyl alcohol, Coumarin, Anise alcohol, Oakmoss extract, Treemoss extract.

How to calculate them:

Request a GC/MS report or IFRA certificate from your supplier.
Check the % of each allergen in the raw material.
Use a simple calculator (or Excel) to work out the final % in your perfume.
If above 0.001% → list it by INCI name.

This is exactly the kind of detail your CPSR assessor will expect when approving your formula.

Supporting Documents (GC/MS & IFRA Certificates)

GC/MS Report (Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry)

Shows the chemical breakdown of an oil or absolute.
Lists allergen percentages → essential for CPSR prep.
Good for checking authenticity and quality.

IFRA Certificate

Confirms the raw material complies with IFRA Standards.
Lists usage limits by product type.
Often includes allergen data.
Required for your PIF and safety assessments.

👉 These documents are not just for regulators — they help you protect your customers, your brand, and yourself.

Beyond the Label: Other Regulations You Can’t Ignore

Getting your label right is just one piece of the compliance puzzle. To legally sell natural perfumes in Ireland, the EU, or the UK, you also need to consider:

Cosmetic Product Safety Reports (CPSR) – a professional toxicologist must sign off your formula.
Product Information File (PIF) – a dossier with your formula, safety data, labels, and batch records.
Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) – documented hygiene and batch control.
Product Notification Portals – CPNP (EU) or SCPN (UK) registration before products hit the market.
Insurance – public and product liability cover, often required by markets and fairs.
Market Stall Licences & Online Selling Rules – permits, returns policies, and shipping restrictions.

These are mandatory steps — even for very small makers — and skipping them could lead to fines, refused insurance claims, or being banned from selling.

Call to Action

Want the full, plain-language breakdown of everything you need — business registration, safety reports, labelling checklists, insurance, market stalls, and online selling rules?

Download the Natural Perfume Business Compliance Cheat Sheet (Ireland/EU & UK)
Join the Natural Botanical Perfumers Club (free) and get instant access.