Cosmetics marks
Period after opening (open jar)
An open jar with its lid lifted and tilted above it, drawn in outline; a number of months such as 12M is printed in or next to it. · also called “12M”, “Open jar symbol”, “PAO”, “Period after opening”
What the Period after opening (open jar) symbol means
Use within this time after opening
Shows how long the cosmetic product stays safe to use once opened, given as a number of months and/or years next to the jar (for example 12M = 12 months). It is required on products that keep for more than 30 months, which therefore do not need a best-before date, unless the idea of a shelf life after opening does not apply to the product.
Source · Official website Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products · checked
Where it appears
- All brands—This meaning
Questions about the Period after opening (open jar) symbol
- What does the Period after opening (open jar) symbol mean?
- Shows how long the cosmetic product stays safe to use once opened, given as a number of months and/or years next to the jar (for example 12M = 12 months). It is required on products that keep for more than 30 months, which therefore do not need a best-before date, unless the idea of a shelf life after opening does not apply to the product.
- What does the Period after opening (open jar) symbol look like?
- An open jar with its lid lifted and tilted above it, drawn in outline; a number of months such as 12M is printed in or next to it. It is also called “12M”, “Open jar symbol”, “PAO” and “Period after opening”.
Checked against the source · · How we verify
