Product Information File (PIF) – All You Need to Know

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  • April 5, 2022
Product information file : PIF

Since the application of the new European Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 article 11 on cosmetic products sold in the European Union, industry professionals have to provide a Product Information File (PIF) for each of the product placed on the market and destined for consumption.

The person responsible placing the cosmetic product on the market have to submit to competent authorities (ANSM, the Directorate General of Health or the DGCCRF) the PIF, as well as the Risk assessment of the product and keep those documents updated for at least 10 years.

Product Information File: What should it includes?

The PIF should include all the elements considered to be of primary importance to the consumer and its health: namely the identity of the product, the precaution of use, the list of ingredients and the possible negative effects.

In order to compile the PIF, product information has to be gathered from several stakeholder: suppliers, laboratories, safety assessor, and internal product information system.

Below the list of documents that composed the PIF:

  • Product information: the exact name and all names in national language where the product will be placed, identification code and a description of product function.
  • Cosmetic product safety report (CPSR): is the scientific review of cosmetic product safety and is divided in two parts:
    • Part A – Cosmetic Product Safety Information
      • Quantitive and qualitive composition of the product – exact percentage
      • Physical/chemical characteristics and stability of the product
      • Microbiological quality
      • Impurities, traces, information about the packaging
      • Normal and reasonably foreseeable use
      • Exposure to the product
      • Exposure to the substances
      • Toxicological profile of the substances
      • Undesirable and serious effects
      • Information on the product
    • Part B – Cosmetic Product Safety Assessment, this report has to be done by a qualified person and is the proof that the product is safe to be use. It should include:
      • Statement on the safety of the cosmetic product
      • Statement on the need to label any particular warnings and instructions of use
      • Explanation of the scientific reasoning of the substances contained in the cosmetic product and on the Safety Information documentation
      • Justification of the consideration and non-consideration of the raw materials’ toxicological profiles
      • Assessor’s credentials and approval – name, address, proof of qualification, date and signature.
  • Manufacturing method in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP): each PIF should include a declaration of compliance with GMP – a set of requirements based on workers safety and health during production process. The cosmetic product’s manufacturing method has to be in alignment with those specific requirements to be compliant and sold in the EU. It can be obtained through an external/internal audit or using self-declaration by manufacturers.
  • Evidence of the claimed effect of the cosmetic product: in order to be compliant with regulations, the company has to furnish proofs of effects claimed. Several methods can be used: experimental studies, investigator evaluation, consumer perception tests and past scientific publications. All of them have to reliable and reproducible.
  • Data on animal testing: Animal testing is completely banned in EU since 2009. Manufacturers should proof here that none of their testing have been made on animal.
  • Cosmetic product labeling (container and packaging): each cosmetic product labeling has to be stated in the PIF and should include at least the following information:
    • Name and address of the responsible person
    • The country of origin if the product is imported from countries outside of the EU
    • Nominal content of the product, given by weight or volume
    • Date of minimum durability or period after opening
    • Precautions for use
    • Function of the cosmetic product
    • List of ingredients
    • Identification number
      All information contained in product labeling must be indelible, easily legible and written with visible lettering. Language chosen should the country official language(s) where the product is placed.

If it appears that a cosmetic product placed on the market presents a risk to human health, the person responsible for placing it on the market must immediately inform the authorities and specify the preventive and corrective measures to be adopted.

 

Product Information File Management : solution

Lascom CPG solution helps you to manage all your product data and information. You will be able to automatically create the product information file and manage all the information related to your cosmetic products: physico-chemical specifications, microbiological, control plans, product formulation, constrained formulation (regulations and customers), nonconformity management, etc.

To learn more about how can Lascom CPG software help you to manage your product development and be compliant with EU regulations : https://www.lascom.com/solutions/plm-software-cosmetics/

6 Comments

  • Erazem Camlek says:

    I’m interested in a PIF softwear.

    regards,
    Erazem

    • Sacha says:

      Hello Mr. Camlek,
      To talk to one of our PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) experts, please fill in a contact request and our teams will come back to you shortly! To do so, visit the following page: https://www.lascom.com/contact/
      We apologize for the late response.
      Sincerely,
      Sacha Baïzet – Moderator

  • shayma Noorashour says:

    Hi,
    I am interested in a PIF document for lip gloss online business which I intend to start up in the UK and ship to Europe.
    I am slightly confused on how to create the PIF and what it should look like? ( I am using bases for my lip glosses which are available on the market already as well as oils and glitters so would all of this be simply states in the PIF?
    so I am looking for help to complete this if you can help.

    Thanks,

    Shayma

    • Sacha says:

      Hello Mrs Noorashour,
      We develop PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) software covering, among others, regulatory challenges. Unfortunately, we are unable to answer this specific question as we are not regulatory experts per se. However we work with regulatory partners when a customer project requires it. Our blog authors combine information freely available on the web with our teams’ experience to provide related best manufacturing practices. Our content is informative and does not constitute legal advice.
      Sincerely,
      Sacha Baïzet – Moderator

  • Shabina says:

    Hi I need to set up a pig fif file how do I do this can I pay a company to do this

    • Sacha says:

      Hello Shabina,
      We develop PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) software covering, among others, regulatory challenges. Unfortunately, we are unable to answer this specific question as we are not regulatory experts per se. However we work with regulatory partners when a customer project requires it. Our blog authors combine information freely available on the web with our teams’ experience to provide related best manufacturing practices. Our content is informative and does not constitute legal advice.
      Sincerely,
      Sacha Baïzet – Moderator

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