ISO standard makes safety the new face of cosmetics

20-Aug-2007

From shampoo to toothpaste to make-up and cream, hundreds of thousands of cosmetic products shall now benefit from improved quality and safety, thanks to a new International Standard published by ISO (International Organization for Standardization).

Most cosmetics do not pose a health risk when the directions on the label are followed and when the product is used properly. However, contamination of cosmetics - during the production process - can cause adverse effects in certain individuals with sensitivities. These effects range from infections to severe allergic reactions.

MicrogiologyISO 18416:2007, Cosmetics - Microbiology - Detection of Candida albicans, will help reduce cases of infection from cosmetic products by providing laboratories with a microbiological examination to ensure their quality and safety.

"The presence of microorganisms in cosmetics may cause chemical changes and spoilage of the product or may cause an infection hazardous to the consumer," said Mojdeh Rowshan Tabari, Project leader and Convenor of the working group that developed the standard. "It is vital, therefore, to ensure that cosmetics have been produced with the highest standards for quality and safety before they are put on the market for consumer use."

ISO 18416:2007 gives guidelines for the detection and identification of Candida albicans - a microorganism that can cause skin and mucous membrane infections.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/67505/iso-standard-makes-safety-the-new-face-of-cosmetics.html