NSF International launch Cosmetics and Personal Care Programme

Global public health organisation NSF International has launched the NSF Cosmetics and Personal Care Programme in response to growing concerns from consumers and retailers regarding adulteration, mislabeling and counterfeiting issues.

The new programme provides auditing, training, product testing and certification services developed by NSF to enable manufacturers to improve the quality and safety of their products and retailers to strengthen the oversight of their cosmetic and personal care suppliers. The NSF Cosmetics and Personal Care Programme addresses the needs raised by new legislation, retailer-prohibited chemical lists and manufacturing-related quality issues which have driven rapid changes to the global cosmetics and toiletries market.

According to NSF, consumer safety concerns have also contributed to the need for the programme. A recent independent study conducted on behalf of the organisation found that found that 48% of consumers are concerned about the quality and safety of personal care products. To help address these concerns, the NSF Cosmetics and Personal Care Program includes: Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Auditing, Bundled Audits for Personal Care and Dietary Supplements, Testing, Product Certification, and Training and Consulting.

"The cosmetics industry is becoming increasingly scrutinised as consumers seek safer products and retailers step up to meet this demand," said Casey Coy, Manager of NSF International's Cosmetics and Personal Care Programme. "With this new programme, NSF International has applied 70 years of technical and scientific expertise to develop specialised auditing, testing and certification programs that support retailers in improving their supply chain oversight and cosmetic safety. This programme also helps manufacturers demonstrate compliance to retailer requirements and U.S. and European regulations."