Our Research Methodology

Global Cosmetic Regs provides regulatory compliance guidance for cosmetic brands entering the US, EU, and UK markets. This page explains how we research, verify, and maintain our content.

Our Approach

We follow a Hidden Authority model — rather than relying on named experts, we prove our information is expert-validated through comprehensive citations from official regulatory sources.

Why This Approach?

Cosmetic regulations are complex and frequently updated. By linking directly to official sources, we ensure:

  • Verifiability: Every claim can be checked against primary sources
  • Currency: When regulations change, we update our guides with new citations
  • Transparency: Readers know exactly where information comes from

Source Hierarchy

We prioritize sources in this order:

Tier 1: Government & Regulatory Bodies

Highest Priority

  • US: FDA, FTC, state regulatory agencies
  • EU: European Commission, ECHA, national competent authorities
  • UK: OPSS, MHRA, gov.uk official guidance

Tier 2: Official Legislation

  • US Code (USC), Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
  • EU Regulations and Directives (EUR-Lex)
  • UK Statutory Instruments, retained EU law

Tier 3: Standards Organizations

  • ISO standards
  • Industry technical standards

Tier 4: Industry Bodies

  • PCPC (Personal Care Products Council)
  • Cosmetics Europe
  • CTPA (Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association)

Citation Standards

Every guide on Global Cosmetic Regs includes:

  • 20-35 citations for pillar/comprehensive guides
  • 10-20 citations for focused topic guides
  • Inline citations linking directly to source documents
  • Full reference list at the bottom of each page

Verification Process

Initial Research

  1. Identify relevant official sources for the topic
  2. Cross-reference multiple sources to verify accuracy
  3. Note any conflicting guidance between jurisdictions

Content Creation

  1. Write content based on verified sources
  2. Add inline citations for all factual claims
  3. Include direct quotes sparingly, always attributed

Review Cycle

  1. Each guide displays "Last Verified" date
  2. Guides are reviewed quarterly at minimum
  3. Updates logged in changelog section

What We Don't Do

  • We do not provide legal advice — consult qualified professionals
  • We do not guarantee regulatory outcomes
  • We do not claim to replace official regulatory guidance

Content Updates

When regulations change:

  1. We update affected guides within 30 days of official publication
  2. Changelog records all modifications
  3. "Last Verified" date reflects most recent review

Questions?

If you find outdated information or have questions about our methodology, please contact us.

Last updated: January 2026