Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of encouraging cosmetic retailers to highlight allergens in the ingredient list.

The UK Cosmetics Regulation requires manufacturers to provide a full list of ingredients for cosmetics products.

In addition, cosmetics that contain fragrance allergens, must identify the presence of these ingredients by referring to them as ‘parfum’ or ‘aroma’ to help people identify and avoid those products which they may be allergic to.

Fragrance allergens are included as entries in Annex III to the Cosmetics Regulation and can only be used at the permitted thresholds and where required when accompanied by the relevant warnings.