Brussels, 12/01/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Friday, the European Commission launched a consultation round for stakeholders in the field of cosmetics with a view to a “simplified and modern regulatory framework for the industry, which avoids unnecessary costs”. This new framework will replace the existing EU Cosmetics Directive, which, dating from 1976 and having been amended 48 times, “has become a patchwork … without coherent terminology”. This regulatory patchwork leads to significant costs for the European industry, the world leader in this field. If European companies are to maintain their position, “the focus must be on reducing legislation and administration costs considerably, but making it at the same time more efficient,” said Commission Vice-President Günter Verheugen, who is responsible for enterprise and industry policies. The consultation round, which will run until March 2007 and will lead to a new regulatory framework by 2010 at the latest, seeks the views principally of the industry, consumer organisations and the academic world. The following questions are asked: - How can administrative costs be reduced? - How can aspects of self-assessment and responsibility of the manufacturer be strengthened? - How can the high level of safety in cosmetics be maintained without unnecessary red tape? For fuller information, please see the consultation document on: http: //ec.europa.eu/enterprise/cosmetics/cosm_simpl_dir_en.htm (ol)