The labelling in Portuguese language of the full list of ingredients in cosmetics and perfumes sold will be mandatory in Brazil from November 1, 2023. However, the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) recently adopted new rules confirming brands will have the possibility to use a QR Code to make this information accessible to consumers.

This clarification was made after a request from ABIHPEC - the Brazilian Association of the Personal Hygiene Products, Perfumes and Cosmetics Industry - which wanted to minimize the impact of this mandatory labelling in Portuguese, in particular for small-size products.

Anvisa thus adopted a new resolution (RDC n° 773/2023 of February 15, 2023) modifying an earlier resolution of March 24, 2022 (RDC n° 646/2022), which authorized online information. The latest text clearly states that the presentation in Portuguese of the detailed chemical composition of a hygiene, cosmetic or perfume product can be provided in digital format by reading - through a mobile device - a code permanently printed on the label (for example a QR Code).

According to ABIHPEC, ANVISA will also soon publish its own database of ingredients translated into Portuguese. Companies will have a period of 36 months to update the old labelling (in the event of a difference with the translation made available by Anvisa or in the event of an update of the list of ingredients published by the agency).