Strengthened legislative framework
During the summer, the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) has published several guidelines and measures strengthening the supervision of cosmetic products in China.
The first series of texts - the “Measures on Management of Health Food Evaluation Experts” and the “Measures on Management of Cosmetics Evaluation Experts” - concern the administrative management of the evaluation of the cosmetic products by the authorities.
At the beginning of August, the SFDA also published the “Guidelines for routine on-site inspection to health food and cosmetics production and distribution enterprises.” This text lays down in details the procedures and methods applicable during controls performed by Chinese inspectors.
Traces of toxic substances
Eventually, the SFDA issued a “Guide for Risk Assessment of Possible Substances with Safety Risks in Cosmetics.” This text aims toxic substances that may be present in small quantities in cosmetic products. The text provides a definition of the concerned substances, the procedures for risk assessment and the information required in the risk assessment dossier.
In September 2006, China temporarily prohibited the import and sale of some Japan’s made SK-II products, a Procter & Gamble (P&G) brand, alleging they contained traces of neodymium and chromium. P&G had to discontinue the line, before going back in stores in December. In a joint statement the Ministry of Health and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China agreed with P&G company officials that the product line posed no danger to human health.
Comprehensive safety evaluation scheme
The next step was announced by the SFDA at the very beginning of September. A new text should finalise China’s cosmetic evaluation and registration scheme. “The SFDA had drawn up a draft plan for a product test system, was re-examining the qualifications of agencies that approve cosmetics and skin care products, and was screening candidates for a safety commission, » said a SFDA spokesperson.
Conference on Asian regulations
In order to help cosmetics companies to better understand this new legislative framework, Premium Beauty News is organising a conference on the 14th of October 2010 in Paris, with the participation of members of the SFDA who are in charge of the evaluation of cosmetic products. Click here to download the detailed program.
