{
 "url": "https://activatedigital.ai/knowledge/regulation/beauty-device-regulatory-classification",
 "title": "Is a Beauty Device a Cosmetic Product, Electronic Product or Medical Device?",
 "description": "“Beauty device” is a marketing category, not a single EU regulatory category. An electronic beauty product can be regulated as electrical/electronic…",
 "territory": "reg",
 "category": null,
 "direct_answer": "**“Beauty device” is a marketing category, not a single EU regulatory category.**",
 "last_verified": "2026-10-07",
 "verified_label": "Last verified",
 "datePublished": "2026-09-02",
 "dateModified": "2026-10-07",
 "legislation": [
  {
   "@id": "https://activatedigital.ai/knowledge/digital-product-passport#legislation-32024r1781",
   "celex": "32024R1781",
   "name": "Regulation (EU) 2024/1781, ESPR",
   "legislationDate": "2024-06-13"
  },
  {
   "@id": "https://activatedigital.ai/knowledge/digital-product-passport/batteries#legislation-32023r1542",
   "celex": "32023R1542",
   "name": "Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, Battery passport Articles 77-78",
   "legislationDate": "2023-07-12"
  },
  {
   "@id": "https://activatedigital.ai/knowledge/guides/dpp-after-product-recall#legislation-32023r0988",
   "celex": "32023R0988",
   "name": "Regulation (EU) 2023/988 on general product safety",
   "legislationDate": "2023-05-10"
  },
  {
   "@id": "https://activatedigital.ai/knowledge/regulation/beauty-device-regulatory-classification#legislation-32009r1223",
   "celex": "32009R1223",
   "name": "Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 on cosmetic products, EU; In force; current consolidated framework. Cosmetic product definition as substance/mixture; responsible person/PIF/safety/notification/labelling framework.",
   "legislationDate": "2009-11-30"
  },
  {
   "@id": "https://activatedigital.ai/knowledge/regulation/beauty-device-regulatory-classification#legislation-32013r0655",
   "celex": "32013R0655",
   "name": "Regulation (EU) 655/2013 common criteria for cosmetic claims, EU; In force. Cosmetic claims evidence/criteria.",
   "legislationDate": "2013-07-10"
  },
  {
   "@id": "https://activatedigital.ai/knowledge/regulation/beauty-device-regulatory-classification#legislation-32014l0030",
   "celex": "32014L0030",
   "name": "Directive 2014/30/EU (EMC), EU; In force. EMC route for relevant non-radio equipment.",
   "legislationDate": "2014-02-26"
  },
  {
   "@id": "https://activatedigital.ai/knowledge/regulation/beauty-device-regulatory-classification#legislation-32014l0035",
   "celex": "32014L0035",
   "name": "Directive 2014/35/EU (Low Voltage Directive), EU; In force. Voltage-limited electrical safety scope for applicable products.",
   "legislationDate": "2014-02-26"
  },
  {
   "@id": "https://activatedigital.ai/knowledge/regulation/beauty-device-regulatory-classification#legislation-32017r0745",
   "celex": "32017R0745",
   "name": "Regulation (EU) 2017/745 - Medical Device Regulation.",
   "legislationDate": "2017-04-05"
  },
  {
   "@id": "https://activatedigital.ai/knowledge/regulation/beauty-device-regulatory-classification#legislation-32022r2346",
   "celex": "32022R2346",
   "name": "Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/2346, EU; In force. Common specifications for Annex XVI groups, including high-intensity electromagnetic radiation products for specified skin treatments.",
   "legislationDate": "2022-12-01"
  },
  {
   "@id": "https://activatedigital.ai/knowledge/regulation/connected-toy-regulatory-classification#legislation-32024r2847",
   "celex": "32024R2847",
   "name": "Regulation (EU) 2024/2847 - Cyber Resilience Act - staged application dates and horizontal cyber framework.",
   "legislationDate": "2024-10-23"
  },
  {
   "@id": "https://activatedigital.ai/knowledge/regulation/smartwatch-regulatory-classification#legislation-32012l0019",
   "celex": "32012L0019",
   "name": "Directive 2012/19/EU on WEEE.",
   "legislationDate": "2012-07-04"
  },
  {
   "@id": "https://activatedigital.ai/knowledge/regulation/smartwatch-regulatory-classification#legislation-32014l0053",
   "celex": "32014L0053",
   "name": "Directive 2014/53/EU - Radio Equipment Directive.",
   "legislationDate": "2014-04-16"
  }
 ],
 "primary_sources": [
  {
   "url": "https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02011L0065-20250101",
   "name": "Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS) consolidated, EU; In force. EEE definition and hazardous-substance restrictions."
  },
  {
   "url": "https://health.ec.europa.eu/latest-updates/mdcg-2023-5-guidance-qualification-and-classification-annex-xvi-products-guide-manufacturers-and-2023-12-14_en",
   "name": "MDCG 2023-5 Annex XVI qualification/classification guidance, MDCG / European Commission; Current guidance page. Supports careful qualification/classification of Annex XVI products."
  },
  {
   "url": "https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52025DC0187",
   "name": "COM(2025) 187 — ESPR and Energy Labelling Working Plan 2025-2030, European Commission; Current working plan. ICT/electronics-related horizontal repairability and recycled-content/recyclability work in official development."
  }
 ],
 "glossary_terms": [
  "https://activatedigital.ai/knowledge/glossary#cra",
  "https://activatedigital.ai/knowledge/glossary#digital-product-passport",
  "https://activatedigital.ai/knowledge/glossary#economic-operator",
  "https://activatedigital.ai/knowledge/glossary#espr",
  "https://activatedigital.ai/knowledge/glossary#gpsr",
  "https://activatedigital.ai/knowledge/glossary#mdr",
  "https://activatedigital.ai/knowledge/glossary#weee"
 ],
 "watch": [
  {
   "fact": "Future ESPR measures relevant to electrical and electronic equipment are being watched for adoption and scope.",
   "event": "Commission adopts an ESPR measure covering electrical and electronic equipment",
   "source": "/knowledge/regulation/beauty-device-regulatory-classification"
  },
  {
   "fact": "MDCG and Commission guidance on borderline cases and Annex XVI is being watched for updates.",
   "event": "MDCG or the Commission updates its borderline or Annex XVI guidance",
   "source": "/knowledge/regulation/beauty-device-regulatory-classification"
  }
 ],
 "decisions": [],
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  "json": "https://activatedigital.ai/knowledge/regulation/beauty-device-regulatory-classification.json"
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}