Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on Cosmetic Products (Cosmetics Regulation) stipulates that cosmetic products available on the market shall label ingredients' information on their container and packaging. To ensure uniform labelling and facilitate the identification of cosmetic ingredients, the Commission released the Glossary of Common Ingredient Names (the Glossary) on May 8, 2019. There have been amendments published since the regulation came into force, and the current consolidated version has been effective since April 29, 2023.

In compiling and updating the Glossary, internationally recognized nomenclatures are considered, such as the International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI). For ingredients used in perfume and aromatic compositions that do not have an INCI name, the Glossary provides the perfuming names that have been previously used for them. Besides, for colorants other than those intended to color the hair, the Glossary includes the Color Index (CI) numbers as their common ingredient names, as the CI nomenclature is used to label cosmetic products containing them.

It should be noted that the Glossary serves a purpose different from that of the ingredient annexes to the Cosmetics Regulation. The Glossary is compiled and updated to make sure the cosmetic products on the Union market are labelled with the correct ingredient names. It is not a list of authorized or safe cosmetic ingredients, and does not provide information on the regulatory status or function of ingredients. Regarding the regulatory status of ingredients, the ingredient annexes to the Cosmetics Regulation are the only legally binding references.