NSF expands industry reach through partnerships
NSF says it has formed a partnership with David Steinberg, an industry expert with more than 40 years of experience retailing regulatory compliance and consultancy services to the cosmetics and personal care industry.
On top of this, industry association ICMAD has also confirmed a partnership with NSF that is likely to benefit companies wanting to tap into expertise in the key areas of regulation and products claims.
Partnership taps into great industry expertise
Having announced its cosmetics and personal care program last month, NSF is now looking to expand its expertise by tapping into as many areas of industry expertise as possible, at the same time as trying to increase its membership base.
Steinberg is principle and founder of Steinberg & Associates, a practice that specializes in cosmetics regulations, preservation and sunscreens.
Beyond this area of expertise, he has developed valuable industry education and training programs tailored to the requirements of industry professionals, including the cosmetic sciences master’s program at Fairleigh Dickinson University and the Cosmetic Preservative Council, where he currently serves as executive director.
Providing support to cosmetic manufacturers
The NSF cosmetics and personal care program provides expertise in GMP auditing, as well as providing a path for companies seeking to manufacture more sustainable, safer, greener, natural and organic cosmetic and personal care products.
“The services will assist our members in achieving access to new export markets, in addition to keeping pace with consumer demands for safer cosmetics and personal care products,” said Pamela Busiek, president and CEO of ICMAD.
As an introductory to the partnership, the NSF is offering ICMAD members assistance with GMP compliance and discounts on GMP courses and training, together with further discounts on other services and support.
The NSF cosmetic and personal care program
The program has a global focus, and assists companies in meeting international market requirements via a range of services: GMP auditing, bundled audits for personal care, and product testing and certification.
It responds to consumer interest in organic claims, certifying cosmetics to either the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) or the American National Standard for personal care products containing organic ingredients (NSF/ANSI 305).
An out-sourcing of regulatory compliance verification to independent accreditors like the NSF may be the future for brands looking to court consumer trust.
For example, product label claims including “free from” substances like Bisphenol A (BPA), PABA (p-Aminobenzoic acid), sulfates, and parabens can be independently verified as part of the program.
