The Cosmetics Directive (76/768/EEC) is the overall piece of EC legislation that regulates the manufacture and placing on the market of cosmetic products. Its main aim is to ensure that cosmetics are not harmful under normal or foreseeable conditions of use. Adopted by the European Union in 1976, it has since been substantially revised many times.
Source: GreenFacts
The consolidated version of the directive is available at:
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/cosmetics/
Source: GreenFacts
Deutsch: Europäische Kosmetikrichtlinie (European Cosmetics Directive)
Español: Directiva sobre cosméticos de la UE
Français: Directive européenne sur les cosmétiques