Global Cosmetic Compliance
Intelligence & Solutions

Navigating Cosmetic Borderlines in the EU

premium members free
Gerald Renner
Thursday , 21st May 2026
Cosmetics Europe
Background

The EU's cosmetic market is governed by one of the most comprehensive regulatory frameworks in the world. However, as product innovation blurs the lines between categories, determining whether a product is a cosmetic, a biocide, a medicinal product, or a medical device has become increasingly complex. Misclassification can lead to significant market entry delays, unexpected compliance costs, and potential enforcement actions. Navigating these "borderlines" requires not only a deep understanding of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (EU Cosmetics Regulation), but also a clear grasp of how it intersects with overlapping legal regimes.

Central to this process is the EU Borderline Products Manual and the specific classification logic used by regulatory authorities to assess product function, composition, and presentation. For businesses looking to launch innovative products in the EU, mastering these criteria is essential to ensuring long-term compliance and market success.

To help you navigate this intricate landscape, ChemLinked is honored to welcome Gerald Renner, Director of Technical Regulatory & International Affairs at Cosmetics Europe. Drawing on his extensive experience in EU cosmetic policy, Gerald will explore the regulatory landscape and core assessment pillars. Through practical case studies and expert classification tips, this session will provide the first-hand insights needed to ensure your products are correctly positioned in the EU market.

Notes:
1. The webinar livestreaming is freely available to all users. You are welcome to register for and participate in the webinar.
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Contents

1. Regulatory Landscape & Framework

1) Current borderline challenges
2) Interplay between CPR and overlapping regimes
3) Role and updates of the EU Borderline Products Manual

2. Classification Logic & Criteria

1) Core pillars of assessment
2) Contextual analysis

3. Case Studies

1) Cosmetic vs. biocides
2) Cosmetics vs. medicinal products
3) Cosmetics vs. other categories

4. Tips and Tricks

5. Q&A

Contact Information

If you have any questions about this webinar, please contact us at:

EMAIL: [email protected]

TEL: +86 (0) 571 8609 4444

Speaker
  • Director of Technical Regulatory & International Affairs at Cosmetics Europe
    Dr Gerald Renner was born in Graz (Austria) in 1967. His basic scientific training is in engineering chemistry at the Technische Universität Graz, where he graduated in 1993. After that he specialised in biochemical engineering and worked for his PhD at the Technische Universität Graz, and the Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal. He finished his doctoral studies on the bacterial production of biodegradable plastics in 1996. After additional courses in animal cell culture techniques and immunology at the Université Libre de Bruxelles, he joined the Colipa (now Cosmetics Europe) Scientific department at the end of 1996 working mainly on ingredient safety. Since 2001 he is Cosmetic Europe’s Director of Technical Regulatory Affairs which includes since 2010 also the association s activities on international regulatory convergence. In this role he and his team manage • Regulatory issues and questions arising from the application of the EU Cosmetics Regulation and its technical adaptations • Interpretation of the borderline of cosmetics to other EU legislations (e.g. medicinal products, chemicals, biocides, ...). • Technical regulatory input to the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and the revisions of CLP, REACH and Cosmetics Regulation. • Compatibility of international cosmetic legislations in key regions, removal of barriers to international trade, developments of international standards (ISO) and collaboration with international sister associations. • Guidance to CE members on the implementation of the new Chinese Cosmetics legislation (CSAR) Since 2023, Dr Renner is visiting professor at the Free University Brussels, teaching on topics related to Cosmetics Regulation and the Cosmetic Product Safety Report.
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