PCPC launches PCMAP to assess cosmetics manufacturing processes
The Personal Care Manufacturing Assessment Program (PCMAP) was developed by the Council in partnership with SAI Global, an independent organization which provides conformity assessments for driving business improvement.
According to the industry body, PCMAP offers the industry a unique tool to verify GMP conformance and a means for qualifying supplier capability.
Unified system
“The unified PCMAP approach can help suppliers and their customers focus on creating the innovative, safe and effective products consumers demand,” says a Council statement.
“Conformance to GMPs through the voluntary PCMAP assessment illustrates responsibility and commitment to continuous performance improvement industry wide.”
The new, voluntary program demonstrates industry’s continued adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), and it covers quality aspects relating to production, control, storage and shipment of cosmetic products, ingredients or packaging components with the objective of meeting defined specifications at all stages of product development.
Six categories have been created to provide assessment guidelines to the characteristics of the following business groups:
- Category 1 - Manufacturer of Over the Counter (OTC) Drug Products
- Category 2 - Manufacturer of Cosmetic Products
- Category 3 - Manufacturer of Active Ingredients
- Category 4 - Manufacturer of Excipients
- Category 5 - Manufacturer of Cosmetic Ingredients
- Category 6 - Manufacturer of Packaging Components
Based on ISO 22716, the assessment criteria also were enhanced by incorporating supplementary quality system elements voluntarily contributed by member companies of the PCPC.
Growing market, growing regulation
The concept was developed to deal with today’s personal care industry as it continues to grow on a global scale, as economic expansion and developing countries add buying power and broader production options to an already robust market.
In developed countries, market growth is coupled with a proactive industry focused on quality and accountability.
“Consumers are more well-informed and demanding, and marketers face increasingly stringent regional regulations,” says the PCPC.
“At the same time, the reach of social media encourages consumer communication, but not always an accurate flow of product information.”
