Getting Cosmetic Labelling Right in Australia (The Easy Way)

Not Sure If Your Cosmetic Label’s Compliant? Read This First

You’ve nailed the formula, the packaging looks sharp, and you’re ready to launch. But just as you’re about to hit ‘print’, that familiar question creeps in - “Is our label actually compliant?”

If you're making skincare, haircare, or body products in Australia, you may already know that cosmetic labelling is spread across rules - from AICIS and ACCC to ACL and mandatory standards. One small oversight could mean fines, reprints, or a dent in your credibility.

At LabEX, we’ve helped brands avoid exactly that. From missing INCI names to misleading claims, we’ve seen how easy it is to slip up - and how straightforward it is to stay compliant when you know what to look for.

This guide gives you a clear, no-nonsense breakdown of what your label must include, common pitfalls to avoid, and how to keep compliance running smoothly in your process.

SOURCE: ACCC Product Safety

Cosmetic Labelling: What You’re Legally Required to Include

Australia’s Consumer Goods (Cosmetics) Information Standard 2020, enforced by the ACCC (under the Australian Consumer Law), is the primary regulation for cosmetic labels. It mandates that:

• Your label must show all ingredients, using standard INCI names in descending order by weight.
  
  
• Ingredient lists must be clearly visible and legible, and provide accurate disclosure so consumers can identify allergens or harmful components Cosmetic Science.

Alongside that, your label also needs to display:

• Product Identity - clearly state what the product is, such as “moisturiser” or “face serum”
  
  
• Ingredient List
  
  
• Business Details, including a name and physical address
  
  
• Country of Origin claims must follow ACCC guidelines to remain truthful and not misleading
  
  
• Batch or Lot Number for traceability
  
  
• Expiry or Best Before Date, if the product has a limited shelf life
  
  
• Warnings or Precautions, especially for active or sensitive ingredients

It applies whether your product is handmade, manufactured, imported, or sold online.

SOURCE: Cosmetics Lab

Easy to Get Wrong: Common Cosmetic Labelling Mistakes

Even when you’ve done your homework, there are still easy traps:

• Misleading Claims - making therapeutic claims like “heals acne” can reclassify your product as a medicine.
  
  
• Incomplete Ingredient Lists- forgetting to list preservatives or using unverified names violates the INCI requirement.
  
  
• Illegible Label Text - decorative fonts, poor contrast, or tiny text makes critical info unreadable.
  
  
• Wrong Classification - if your product makes treatment claims, you might need TGA compliance, not just cosmetic rules.

Following the official label guidelines protects you from these mistakes - and keeps your product ready for market.

Make Compliance Part of the Process

Compliance can be streamlined - you just need the right steps:

• Use a checklist for each label with all required elements: product identity, INCI list, warnings, expiry, batch code, and supplier details.
  
  
• Re-review labels after any formula or packaging change - even a tweak can cause compliance issues.
  
  
• Bookmark ACCC and AICIS guidance so you're always up-to-date with requirements.
  
  
• Make sure your team understands these rules so everyone stays aligned - even during rush jobs.

Compliance should be part of your workflow - not something you panic about before custom label printing.

SOURCE: Business Insider

Your Label Is More Than Design - It’s Brand Protection

Great packaging turns heads, but compliant labelling builds long-term trust. Miss one required detail and you could face delays, reprints, or even pulled products - all of which can be avoided with a careful final review.

At LabEX, we make it easy for you to bring your packaging to life. Our online platform is fully self-service - simply upload your artwork to our editor, choose your specs, and we’ll take care of the printing. Whether you're launching a new product or restocking a bestseller, our process is fast, flexible, and built to scale with your brand.

So before you send it off for printing, give your label one final compliance check - and when you’re ready to go, we’re here to help you bring it to life.

SOURCE: ACCC Product Safety

IMPORTANT: Visit ACCC Product Safety for a comprehensive guide to all cosmetics labelling and related information.