NSF Launches Contents and Claims Certified Guideline for Beauty, Cosmetics, Personal Care

NSF has released Guideline 527, Contents and Claims Certified for beauty, cosmetic and personal care products.

The guideline, according to its developer, is designed to “bolster the integrity of the beauty and personal care industry by providing a complete program that includes standardized definitions and criteria, label review, formulation requirements, ingredient identity, testing criteria, product purity and physical characterization and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-compliance with NSF/ANSI 455-3 and/or NSF/ANSI 455-4.”

“We’re excited to help companies define a clear path forward in this changing regulatory landscape to protect customer health and safeguard brand reputation by ensuring their products meet the highest standards of quality and safety,” said Katherine Fillinger, senior manager, global certification, at NSF.

As the FDA prepares to enforce the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) at the end of 2023, it has become more important than ever for manufacturers and suppliers operating in or exporting to the United States to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of their products, according to NSF.

According to NSF, Guideline 527 provides standardized definitions and criteria for key terms related to beauty and personal care products, ending the ambiguity around common terms such as “pure” and “natural.” This ensures all stakeholders use the same language and terminology when developing, testing and marketing products.

The guideline includes a label review process that ensures that all claims made on product labels are accurate and truthful. This helps to prevent misleading or false advertising, which can damage the reputation and profits of manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and suppliers.

Guideline 527 includes formulation requirements and ingredient identity criteria that help ensure product safety and effectiveness. This includes identifying the active ingredients in products and any potentially harmful or allergenic ingredients.

Testing criteria are defined to help ensure that products are safe and effective. This includes testing for microbiology, heavy metals, adulterants, product stability, efficacy, preservation, and safety, as well as any potential interactions with other products or substances.

Guideline 527 includes criteria for product purity and physical characterization, which ensures that products are free from contaminants and meet the required physical characteristics, such as color, consistency and fragrance.

Guideline 527 requires compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to NSF/ANSI 455-3 and/or NSF/ANSI 455-4, which helps to ensure products are manufactured and packaged in a safe and hygienic manner.