Proactive quality systems reduce risk

Published: 14-May-2019

In today’s challenging regulatory environment, the pressure to release products faster while eliminating the risk of contamination continues to increase. Scrutiny from regulatory agencies surrounding cosmetic product safety is becoming magnified, and the need to ensure quality testing systems are adequate without impeding production is essential. With these increasingly complex consumer, regulatory, and production demands, many small to midsize manufacturers of ingredients and products are failing to adapt and adopt better methods for assessing product quality and safety, especially in the eyes of regulatory agencies.

Moreover, the last five years have introduced significant restrictions on the usage of preservatives in cosmetics and personal care products. While often used to keep the product contamination-free, some companies have used preservatives to cover up less than ideal manufacturing practices, relying on them to clean up the product along the way. Since good manufacturing practices (GMPs) require the evaluation, analysis, and implementation of holistic testing practices, it appears to be a more difficult and iterative solution. It is no surprise that firms will then take the apparently simpler solution of reformulation.

As many companies scramble to reformulate, they often struggle to develop products that meet regulatory and consumer demands while also remaining contamination-free for the consumer. When focusing on product quality solely through the lens of reformulation, they are failing to achieve a long term solution that will build quality into their product.

Many manufacturers of ingredients and products are failing to adapt and adopt better methods for assessing product quality and safety

There are many solutions that can effect immediate benefits, both to product quality and manufacturing efficiency. In order to move away from a manufacturing philosophy that inherently carries a contamination risk, quality must be preserved from start to finish. Raw materials, in-process samples, and final product testing should be implemented as part of a good manufacturing process, addressing contamination earlier and faster.

For years, leading consumer care and cosmetic manufacturers have been using a “clean-by-design” process, meeting the demands of consumer trends, ultra-short production cycles, and brand protection. Charles River has partnered with many organizations to implement long term, yet simple solutions to adopt GMPs and build a proactive quality system through rapid microbial detection and accurate microbial identification services.

To gain more insights and learn about solutions to adopt better good manufacturing practices, visit the Charles River cosmetics industry solutions page.

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