It is a basic truth about the EU that its failures and challenges make ‘good copy’ as journalists say – engaging and sometimes dramatic stories which invite passionate opinion.

The EU’s successes on the other hand, rarely hit the headlines. Nowhere is this truer than in the low key, painstaking, difficult, complex, detailed, sometimes frankly dull business of creating the EU single market. If we do read about the single market at all it is often in the form of lazy caricatures of ‘intrusive regulation’. So let us say it boldly and without shame - the EU single market is one of the great achievements of European history.

The Cosmetics industry has been at its heart for forty years. In our industry we are single market pioneers.

If you were around back in 1976 you may remember that we enjoyed the hottest summer in living memory. In July of that year, in an airless room in the Berlaymont, the finishing touches were put a harmonizing Directive on Cosmetic products. Its aim was to facilitate the free movement of cosmetic products in the European ‘common market’, by removing incompatible national laws. The basic stuff in other words, of the EU single market.

We have been through seven new versions since then, and we now have a Regulation rather than a Directive. But the aim has always been the same – to facilitate community trade while providing the highest level of protection for consumers.

It is by far the most sophisticated cosmetics regulation in the world - we can honestly and truthfully claim to have global leadership in this area. It is a good example of how harmonized European regulation can make trade easier while protecting safety (don’t believe those who say facilitating trade must always lead to lower standards.)

At Cosmetics Europe Week 2016 we will celebrate the 40 years landmark. But more than that, we will try to anticipate how regulation might need to evolve in the future, as well as of course examining how the regulatory environment we have now is coping with a range of challenging issues.

It is another basic truth that in a dynamic sector like ours, regulation can struggle to remain relevant and appropriate. We have opportunities to shape the next 40 years – join us in considering how we might take them.

Cosmetics Europe Week "Personal Care in a Changing World" will take place from 13-17 June at The Hotel, in Brussels.

To register and for more information: www.cosmeticseurope-conference.org/coseuweek16

John Chave, Director General, Cosmetics Europe