Hand and open book symbol (refer to the leaflet)

How to read it

The hand pointing at an open book is point 1 of Annex VII to the EU Cosmetics Regulation (Regulation 1223/2009): “reference to enclosed or attached information”. Article 19 lets two things move to an enclosed or attached leaflet, label, tape, tag or card when it is impossible for practical reasons to print them on the pack: the precautions to be observed in use, and the list of ingredients. The symbol, or abbreviated wording, on the container or packaging refers the reader to them. Business Companion, the trading standards guidance for UK businesses, calls it the hand and book symbol.

Also searched as: hand in book symbol, hand pointing at book symbol, open book symbol, read the leaflet symbol, refer to insert symbol.

A catalogue doesn’t count

In December 2020 the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled on a case brought by the owner of a beauty salon in Poland. She had bought creams, facial masks and powders from a US manufacturer whose packs carried the hand and book symbol and referred to a catalogue for the information in Polish. The Court held that only an enclosed or attached leaflet, label, tape, tag or card can be used; a company catalogue supplied separately cannot. It added that the cost of labelling in another language does not justify incomplete labelling.

Soap and other small products

For soap, bath balls and other small products where even a leaflet or tag is impractical, Article 19 lets the ingredients appear on a notice right beside the container the product is displayed in for sale.