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Review of the Year
International
China
Review of Chinese Legislations
In 2015, the Chinese Food and Drug Administration (CFDA)
began a review of its cosmetics legislation. Draft projects on
the revision of the Cosmetic Hygiene Standard, Administrative
Measures for Cosmetics Labelling, update of the past-used
ingredients inventory and the recast of the cosmetics
regulation, named Cosmetic Supervision & Administration
Regulation (CSAR), were published.
The Cosmetics Europe Task Force China and the CTPA
International Committee have been involved in the different
consultations. Developments are expected in 2016 and 2017.
Alternatives to Animal Testing
In November 2015, a partnership between the China National
Institute for Drug Control (NIFDC), the British Home Office,
the European Union China Chamber of Commerce (EUCCC)
and Cosmetics Europe organised a cosmetic safety assessment
event in Beijing to promote safety assessment and alternative
non-animal testing methods in China. CTPA provided help
and advice to the Home Office during the preparation of
this event.
The European regulators and the cosmetics industry continue
to promote alternatives to animal testing and share
knowledge of the European bans on animal testing with
other international bodies. On 21 October, the CTPA’s
Director-General was invited to participate in a reception
at Mansion House, London, to witness the signing of a
number of important trade and research deals between
Britain and China in the field of life sciences. Speaking at
the event, the Minister for Life Sciences, George Freeman,
referred to animal testing as a key issue where Britain and
China were engaged in talks.
India
CTPA has chaired the Cosmetics Europe Task Force India for a
number of years and, in 2015, was very pleased to be able to
organise the visit of the Indian Beauty & Hygiene Association
(IBHA) to Cosmetics Europe and the CTPA.
Heavy metals
In 2015, IBHA and Cosmetics Europe worked collaboratively
to resolve issues regarding traces of heavy metals in
cosmetics, in particular traces of mercury. In India the current
limit for mercury in finished cosmetic products is 0ppm
(parts per million). A request has been made by the cosmetics
industry to amend the Indian legislation to adopt a limit of
1 ppm for traces of mercury in finished cosmetic products.
If this proposal is accepted, it will mean that the limit for
traces of mercury in India will be in line with that of the
International Co-operation on Cosmetics Regulation (ICCR).
Registration dossier
Self-declaration of compliance with the animal testing ban
The Indian Ministry of Health (MoH) released a circular
(Clarification for import and registration of cosmetics)
clarifying that companies can submit a one-time
self-declaration of compliance with the Indian animal
testing ban to the Drugs Controller General of India
(DCGI). This is a significant improvement, as previously
companies were required to submit this declaration to
customs per shipment.
Renewal of Registration Certificate
In 2015, the cosmetics industry also welcomed the new
simplified process for Registration Certificate renewal
published by the MoH. The new process allows companies
to submit a reduced number of documents and therefore
accelerates the renewal process.
Trade facilitation
CTPA has been working with the Importing Licence Team at
the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on the new
electronic Certificates of Free Sale (CFS) system. In addition,
collaborative work on monitoring trade barriers in different
countries has been taking place, in particular in China and the
Middle East regions.
Dr Chris Flower
at the Home Office Health & Life Sciences Summit
between Britain and China
5th from left,
Malathi Narayanan,
Indian Beauty & Hygiene Association (IBHA)
meeting with CTPA staff
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