[Cosmetovigilance: a French pharmacovigilance system for cosmetics developed by the French health products safety agency. A proposal for the future].

Since 1999, the French health products safety agency (Afssaps) has been responsible for the safety of cosmetic products. Attempts are underway to set up a French post-marketing surveillance system for cosmetics and a working group specially in charge of setting this up has been created. The "cosmetovigilance" system has the three following objectives: public health concerns about "at risk" ingredients in cosmetic products: animal derivatives, glycol ethers, aluminium, camphor, etc; notification of adverse reactions: creation of standard reporting forms of adverse reactions; follow-up of laboratory quality controls: emergency and routine controls. The "cosmetovigilance" system is not only restricted to the study of adverse reactions occurring with cosmetic products. It will also address public health issues about ingredients and will rely on laboratory controls. The aim of the "cosmetovigilance" system is to investigate but also to prevent the risk of adverse reactions.