Purchasing cosmetic products
Köp av kosmetiska produkter - Engelska
Cosmetic products include, for example, perfume, makeup, deodorant, soap, toothpaste, skin cream, and shampoo. In Sweden and the EU, there are laws designed to protect you as a consumer. The products you purchase must be safe to use. If you buy a product that is defective, you have the right to file a complaint.
Translated page: This text has been translated from Swedish. The text and appearance of the page may look different from the original page.
Important to know
There must be information that makes you understand the purpose of the product and how it should be used safely.
You have the right to complain if there is something wrong with the product.
Cosmetic products are usually classified as hygiene products. This means that you do not have the right of withdrawal if you have broken the seal.
What is said in the marketing of a product must be true.
Purchasing cosmetic products
Cosmetic products must be safe. They must not be harmful in normal use. Within the EU there are rules to ensure this. In addition, there are supplementary rules in Sweden.
The products are not reviewed or approved by any authority before they are released to the market. It is the person who sells or provides the product who is responsible for ensuring that all rules are followed.
If you buy cosmetic products from a webshop, it can be good to be extra vigilant. It is not certain that the products meet the requirements within the EU regarding content, labelling and manufacturing.
Content
The content must always have been deemed safe before the product is released on the market. There is no requirement that all substances must be approved, but some substances might be prohibited or have restricted use.
All substances found in the product must be included in the list of ingredients.
Marking
According to EU regulations, cosmetic products must have certain labelling. Through the label, you must be able to understand the purpose of the product and how it should be used in a safe manner.
Almost all labelling must be on both the packaging and the product itself.
A certain part of the labelling must also be in Swedish. Those parts are:
- content measure
- reference to shelf life
- precautions for use
- the function/purpose of the product.
It is essentially the person selling the product who must ensure that the labelling is present and correct. The same rules apply to cosmetic products that are given away for free.
Manufacturing according to GMP
Cosmetic products must be manufactured according to good manufacturing practice (GMP). GMP is short for Good Manufacturing Practice.
Manufacturing according to GMP means, among other things, that:
- the manufactured product must meet the requirements that the legislation and the manufacturer place on the product, so-called acceptance criteria.
- documentation must exist throughout the manufacturing process to ensure traceability.
- working methods must be in place to avoid contamination and confusion or mixing between different raw materials and end products.
No exceptions to the rules
All manufacturers of cosmetics who intend to sell or give away their cosmetic products must comply with GMP, ensure that regulations regarding content are followed, and that the products are safety assessed and correctly labeled. There are no exceptions for small businesses or for organic/natural products.
Imported cosmetics
Anyone importing cosmetic products from countries outside the EU/EEA must ensure that the products have been manufactured in accordance with GMP and that regulations regarding content are followed. They must also ensure that the products are safety assessed and correctly labeled.
You may have the option to cancel your purchase. However, there is a difference if you buy the product in a store or on the internet.
Buying in a shop
When shopping in a physical store, you do not have a legal right of withdrawal. However, some stores may offer open purchase or exchange rights, which allow you to return an item after purchase.
Before buying a product, ask whether the store offers open purchase or exchange rights, and what conditions apply for returning the item. Each store sets its own rules for these options.
Open Purchase and Exchange Rights
Shopping online
You have the right of withdrawal when shopping remotely, such as online. This right applies throughout the EU. If you regret your purchase, you must contact the company within 14 days and inform them that you wish to cancel. Do this in writing, for example via email, and make sure to save the message.
No Right of Withdrawal if the Seal Is Broken
You do not have the right of withdrawal for sealed hygiene products that have been opened.
If a product is faulty, you have the right to file a complaint. To complain means to report a problem. You must be able to show that the product has a defect.
For the company to be obligated to help you, the defect must be considered original. An original defect is one that was already present when you bought or received the product. If the product has an original defect, the company is required to fix it. In the case of cosmetics, it is most common to receive a replacement product.
It is important to report the issue as soon as possible after discovering the defect. If you wait too long, you may lose your right to demand compensation or a solution from the company.
Cosmetic products must be safe to use. However, they can sometimes cause allergic reactions or other health issues, such as itching or headaches. These problems are often linked to the presence of certain chemical substances.
If you experience a reaction, it does not necessarily mean the product is defective. A product may be considered faulty if it contains a banned ingredient or if the list of ingredients is unclear or incorrect.
If the product is defective, you have the right to file a complaint. You may also be entitled to compensation for any additional costs caused by the defect.
How to complain against a defectiv product
If you experience health problems after using a cosmetic product, you can report it to the Swedish Medical Products Agency (Läkemedelsverket).
Make a report on the Swedish Medical Products Agency website
There are companies that offer subscriptions to cosmetic products.
Before entering into an agreement, it is important to read the terms and conditions:
- What are you getting?
- How often do you receive delivery?
- How much does it cost?
- Is there a binding period and a notice period?
There can be a notice period for both subscriptions that are valid until further notice and fixed-term agreements.
If you want to terminate the agreement, it is good to do so in writing, for example via email. You are the one who must be able to show that you cancelled it and when.
Do you want to use your right of withdrawa? Then you must do so within 14 days of receiving the first delivery.
Automatic Renewal of Subscriptions
Some fixed-term agreements may include conditions stating that the contract will be automatically renewed unless you cancel it. The Swedish law on consumer protection in automatic contract renewals outlines how such renewals must be handled:
- The contract must clearly state that it will be renewed unless cancelled.
- The company is required to send you a written reminder at least one month before the cancellation deadline.
If the contract lacks such a clause or if the company fails to remind you in time, you have the right to cancel the agreement immediately.
Exceptions to the Reminder Requirement
If your agreement can be cancelled within three months, the company is not required to send a reminder. This often applies to subscriptions that are renewed monthly.
If your order is delayed or doesn't arrive at all, contact the store and demand that they fulfill the agreement and deliver what you ordered.
If the company fails to deliver the goods within a reasonable additional time, you have the right to cancel the purchase. You may also cancel the purchase if the delay is of significant importance to you — for example, if it was clear to the company that the delivery date was crucial for your purchase. Cancelling the purchase means that the agreement is terminated, and you are no longer obligated to pay for the goods. The store is also no longer required to deliver them.
If you and the company cannot reach an agreement, you can file a complaint to the public authority the National Board for Consumer Disputes (ARN).
ARN will assess your case and make a recommendation on how to resolve the dispute. Most companies follow ARN’s recommendations.A normal processing time is approximately six months.
What does it cost to file a complaint with ARN?
It costs SEK 150 to file a complaint with ARN. When you submit your complaint, you can request that the company compensates you for the cost if ARN makes a recommendation in your favour.
Requirements for ARN to consider your case
- The company has either rejected your claims or has not responded within a reasonable time.
- The amount you and the company are in dispute about is more then ARN's value limitations (different value thresholds apply for different fields). You cannot include the application fee to ARN.
- You file the complaint within one year from the first time you complained to the company.
You need to include supporting evidence, such as emails or photos.
File a complaint at ARN:s website
Would you like assistance in preparing your complaint?
The municipality’s consumer adviser may be able to assist you in submitting an application to ARN.
Search for a consumer adviser in your municipality (in Swedish)
Taking the Dispute to Court
You also have the option to take your dispute with the company to court. You will need to pay an application fee and may also be responsible for covering legal costs.
Secure products and content
Cosmetic products are covered by different legislation that applies in parallel. Supervision is shared by several authorities.
Läkemedelsverket, the Swedish Medical Products Agency
The Swedish Medical Products Agency is responsible for specific rules for cosmetic products.
Kemikalieinspektionen, the Swedish Chemicals Agency
The Swedish Chemicals Agency (KEMI) is responsible for general rules regarding chemical products. The rules for chemical products mean, among other things, that the products must not contain substances that are prohibited or must not be present above certain levels.
More about cosmetic products and regulations on the KEMI website (In Swedish)
Notify KEMI if you suspect that a product does not comply with the regulations
Advertising
There are regulations governing how advertising may be designed. It is strictly regulated what claims may be made.
The Swedish Medical Products Agency and the Swedish Consumer Agency share responsibility for the regulatory activities relating to cosmetics marketing.
Läkemedelsverket, the Swedish Medical Products Agency
The Swedish Medical Products Agency (Läkemedelsverket) is responsible for overseeing marketing and claims directly related to cosmetic products. For example, it is not permitted to claim that a product can cure skin conditions, while it is allowed to market it as moisturizing.
About marketing rules on the the Swedish Medical Products Agency's website
You can report unlawful marketing to the Swedish Medical Products Agency.
Report problems on the Swedish Medical Products Agency's website
Cosmetics intended for children
Cosmetic products marketed to children must be specifically formulated for them. Examples include moisturizing creams, wet wipes, soap, and toothpaste. If a product is not suitable for children, you can report it to the Swedish Medical Products Agency (Läkemedelsverket).
The Swedish Consumer Agency
If the marketing violates the Marketing Act — for example, if the price information is incorrect or misleading — you can report it to the Swedish Consumer Agency. Filing a report with the Consumer Agency does not mean you will receive personal assistance with your specific case, but it may help protect other consumers in the future.
Source: KonsumentverketLäkemedelsverket
Proofread: 7 October 2025
The content on this page has been created in collaboration with one or more authorities and consumer agencies. The Swedish Consumer Agency collaborates with others in our mission to guide consumers.