Frequently Asked Questions

Cosmetic products made available to consumers within European Union countries are subject to the European Union Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009/EC). Similarly, cosmetic products made available to consumers by manufacturers and importers operating within Türkiye are subject to Cosmetics Law No. 5324 and the Cosmetics Regulation. The manufacture and marketing of all such cosmetic products are carried out in accordance with the aforementioned legislation.

According to EU legislation, any cosmetic product must not cause any harm to human health under normal conditions of use. Before being made available to consumers, all cosmetic products are subject to safety assessments in accordance with this principle and as defined in the relevant legislation. All these provisions and rules also apply to cosmetic products made available to consumers in Türkiye, as the cosmetics legislation in our country has been prepared in alignment with EU legislation.

Triclosan is used in cosmetic and cleaning products due to its ability to inhibit bacterial growth. When used as a preservative, triclosan helps prevent product deterioration while also reducing potential bacterial growth on the skin. Triclosan, which is also used in oral hygiene products such as toothpastes and mouthwashes, as well as in products such as soaps, hand-washing gels, and deodorants, is known to have effects such as inhibiting the growth of microorganisms and reducing the risk of infection.

For more information, you can visit the Cosmetic Product Ingredients page.

Phthalates are used in cosmetic products as solvents, plasticizers, or bittering agents. The most commonly used phthalate in cosmetic and personal care products is Diethyl Phthalate (DEP). Diisobutyl Phthalate (DiBP) and Dibutyl Phthalate (DnBP) are not used in cosmetic products. The phthalates used in cosmetic products are not considered to have any adverse effects on pregnant women or babies.

DEP has a long history of safe use, and consumers are routinely exposed to DEP through air, water, plastics, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals. Studies conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) have determined that DEP used in cosmetic and personal care products does not pose a risk to human health.

Even if you have used a product before, you should carefully read and follow the instructions for use provided on the product packaging. It is generally recommended to perform an allergy test 48 hours before using hair dyes and not to use the product if redness, burning, or itching occurs.

Having an allergic reaction does not mean that the product is unsafe. Consumer safety is a primary priority for manufacturers. Although a product is safe, it may cause an allergic reaction in some individuals because each consumer has a different sensitivity. Therefore, for products such as hair dyes that may carry a risk of allergic reaction, performing an allergy test before use is recommended to protect consumers. At the same time, the safety of ingredients used in cosmetics is also subject to strict control and supervision under legislation.

Claims such as “alcohol-free” appearing on product packaging are generally used to inform consumers that ethanol has not been used in the product. This is because, in everyday language, the term alcohol is generally understood to mean ethanol or ethyl alcohol. Ethanol is a type of alcohol used in “alcoholic” beverages. However, from a scientific perspective, an alcohol is understood as a substance containing a hydroxyl group in its chemical structure. A hydroxyl group consists of oxygen and hydrogen. Therefore, the term “alcohol-free” should not be interpreted as meaning that the product does not contain any type of alcohol.

Ethanol is an excellent solvent. It can easily dissolve oils on the skin; therefore, it may also have a drying effect on the skin. Some consumers may not prefer this effect.

For these reasons or due to cultural preferences, some consumers may prefer to use products bearing an “alcohol-free” claim.

In Europe, cosmetic ingredients and finished products are not tested on animals. Our industry in Türkiye shares a similar approach and supports the development of alternative scientific testing methods for product safety.

Although there is no legal definition of this term, it indicates that the product has been tested on the skin. There are many different methods for testing a product’s compatibility with the skin. The involvement of a doctor or dermatologist in the application of these methods is not necessarily required. In these processes, assessments are carried out by a team of individuals with medical knowledge.

For toothpaste tubes and all other categories of cosmetic products presented in tubes, the dark-colored mark located at the end of the tube is called a “photoelectric mark.” The photoelectric mark is used during production to ensure that the tubes are properly sealed after filling. With the help of this mark and a sensor, the necessary adjustment is made to ensure that the tube is correctly centered, after which the sealing process at the rear end is carried out. Since the sensor/detector requires a mark in a color that contrasts with the background color, the colors of the photoelectric marks are selected by considering both the colors used in the graphic design and the background color of the tube. As a result, the colors used as photoelectric marks on the product have absolutely no meaning or identifying characteristics related to the product’s contents.

Yes. Products from established brands manufactured and placed on the market in Türkiye and around the world must be safe for human health, as unsafe products cannot be placed on the market. Product safety is determined within the framework of legal requirements. All cleaning products and detergents offered for sale in Türkiye are placed on the market in accordance with the Ministry of Trade’s “Regulation on Detergents.” Product safety is also monitored through market surveillance and inspection activities carried out by the competent authorities.

It should be remembered that consumers also have an important responsibility in ensuring the correct and safe use of products. Consumers should always read the label of the product they purchase and follow the instructions for use.

The purpose of this Regulation is to establish the procedures and principles for ensuring a high level of protection against the potential adverse effects of detergents placed on the market and surfactants used in detergents on human health and the environment, while also ensuring their free movement. These procedures and principles cover the following areas:

This Regulation covers the following matters relating to the placing on the market of detergents and surfactants used in detergents:

• Rules concerning the biodegradability of surfactants contained in detergents,
• Restrictions or prohibitions on surfactants with regard to biodegradability,
• Rules concerning additional information on detergent labels, including the fragrance allergens they contain,
• Information that manufacturers are required to keep available for submission to the Ministry and healthcare personnel,
• Restrictions on the content of phosphates and other phosphorus compounds in consumer laundry detergents and consumer automatic dishwasher detergents.

Safety assessments of cleaning products begin with the ingredients to be used in the product. To assess the safety of the ingredients, their toxicity is first examined. Since all chemicals, including water, can be toxic under certain conditions, a number of factors affecting exposure are taken into consideration during these assessments. These factors include the duration and frequency of exposure to the ingredient, the concentration of the ingredient at the time of exposure, and the route and manner of exposure, such as through the eyes, skin, or ingestion. In addition, the assessments take into account both exposure resulting from the use of the product under normal conditions and the effects of unintentional exposure.

In environmental risk assessments, the exposure concentration of ingredients from all potential sources is estimated. This concentration is compared with the highest concentration of the relevant ingredient determined under applicable legislation to cause no harm to the environment.

No. Like other cleaning products, air freshening products are subject to safety tests defined within the legal framework before being made available to consumers. These products are manufactured and offered for sale in accordance with the legislation prepared by the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization. Consumers also have an important responsibility in ensuring the safe use of these products. Consumers should always read the label of the product they purchase and follow the instructions for use.

Yes. The weight or volume information indicated on product packaging is provided in accordance with the measurement and labeling principles specified in the annexes of the Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology’s “Regulation on the Determination of the Net Quantity of Prepackaged Products Based on Weight and Volume,” which is harmonized with EU requirements. Consumers are also generally informed by means of the “℮” mark displayed next to the weight or volume information on the product label.

The primary responsibility of companies in the detergent and cleaning products industry is to manufacture products at their production facilities in accordance with the measurement rules established by the Ministry and to indicate on the label the nominal quantity, meaning the quantity that the product should ideally contain, as calculated during filling. Products that are underfilled beyond the limits permitted by legislation compared with the nominal quantity stated on the label are identified during Ministry inspections and are subject to penalties.

Liquid detergent capsules are a relatively new product format in Europe and Türkiye. Today, liquid detergent capsules are used by millions of people every day in many countries around the world. Liquid detergent capsules enable consumers to use the correct amount of detergent. By helping to prevent waste, these products also contribute significantly to sustainability, as their compact packaging offers savings in transportation and CO₂ emissions.

Yes. Like other cleaning and detergent products, liquid detergent capsules are safe products. Consumer safety is a primary priority of the industry. The products do not contain any ingredients that could be harmful to consumer health. Products placed on the market in Türkiye are manufactured and offered for sale in accordance with the requirements established by legislation.

In addition to the industry’s responsibilities, consumers should also always read the instructions for use provided on product labels to ensure their own safety and, in the event of an unexpected situation, contact the manufacturer using the contact information provided on the label. Products should be kept out of reach of children.

Like other cleaning products, bleach products are safe for human health as long as they are used in accordance with the instructions provided on the product packaging. Contrary to the misconception in the public that laundry detergents are toxic, the toxicity of these products is quite low. Bleach does not pose a risk of causing cancer. Scientific studies on the subject, such as the Risk Assessment Report on Sodium Hypochlorite prepared by the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER), as well as competent scientific authorities such as the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), also confirm this.

However, it should be reiterated that products must be used and stored in accordance with the instructions, and this is the responsibility of consumers. Consumers should never use products of unknown origin or products sold in bulk simply because of their attractive price.

Yes. When bleach is used in accordance with its intended purpose, it does not have an adverse impact on the environment. After use, bleach has the ability to break down as soon as it reaches the drain. As a result, bleach does not persist during wastewater treatment and therefore does not enter groundwater. In addition, the fact that bleach is effective even at low concentrations allows for reduced consumption, which also contributes to environmental sustainability.

No. Bleach products manufactured in compliance with applicable legislation and international environmental and health standards are not subject to bans or recalls anywhere in the world.

Yes. The fact that these products are manufactured and sold in accordance with the relevant legislation demonstrates that their safety has been approved by the competent authorities. In addition, the colorants used in the plastic components of tampons, sanitary pads, breast pads, diapers, and similar products must comply with the criteria set out in the “Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Substances and Materials in Contact with Food,” published in the Official Gazette No. 28157 dated 29 December 2011.

No, as long as they are used in accordance with the instructions. Tampons are hygiene products that absorb menstrual blood before it leaves the vagina. Although these products make daily and social life easier, there are, of course, certain precautions to be considered when using them, as with any product. “Toxic Shock Syndrome” (TSS) is one of these considerations. The main cause of this syndrome is toxins released into the bloodstream by certain strains of Staphylococcus aureus, a common bacterium that lives harmlessly in one out of every three people. When the amount of these toxins increases, shock can occur.

Although rare, it can be fatal. There are two types: menstrual-related and non-menstrual-related. Menstrual-related TSS may occur in young and healthy women, while non-menstrual-related TSS can occur in people of any age and sex. The symptoms of menstrual-related TSS are as follows:

• High fever (39°C or higher)

• Widespread, red, spotted rashes resembling sunburn marks, particularly noticeable on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet,

• Hypotension (a drop in systolic blood pressure below 90 mmHg), fainting or feeling as though you may faint when standing up,

• Dizziness,

• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea,

• Sore throat,

• Extreme sensitivity.

If any of these symptoms occur, the tampon should be removed immediately and medical attention should be sought without delay. Women with a history of menstrual-related TSS are at a higher risk of experiencing TSS again. These individuals should consult a doctor before using tampons. Tampons should be changed 4–6 times a day (every 4–6 hours) and should be used alternately with sanitary pads to reduce the risk of TSS. Personal hygiene is also very important. Hands must be cleaned/washed before and after using a tampon.