Andean Community delays harmonization bill for safer cosmetics
Decision 833 aims to establish a comprehensive harmonization of standards for products originating from both Andean member countries and products imported from other countries with the intention to sell them in the region.
The Andean countries in the trading bloc that initially applied for the extension included Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, who have successfully lobbied to make May 27 2020 the new implementation date for the standard.
The aims of the new legislation
The new ruling intends to introduce control and surveillance of all cosmetic and personal care products sold in member countries throughout the region in an effort to ensure that they are both sanitary for humans and safe.
The new legislation also stipulates that the products to be regulated are specifically for topical use, which means that it does not cover any products designed for the treatment or diagnosis of diseases, or with the intention of being ingested, inhaled, injected or implanted on the body.
It also stipulates that the formulation of products should comply with the best recognized international regulations on ingredients to outline what may or may not be incorporated according to stipulated functions and restrictions on use.
Recognizing European and U.S. standards
The new regulation acknowledges FDA standards for cosmetics and personal care products in the U.S. as well as corresponding standards for the European Union, as well as approved ingredients lists from the PCPC in the U.S. and Cosmetics Europe.
Those standards include:
- The lists and provisions issued by the Food & Drug Administration of the United States of America (FDA) where applicable;
- The Personal Care Products Council cosmetics ingredients list
- The Directives or Regulations of the European Union pertaining to cosmetic ingredients
- The Cosmetics Europe - The Personal Care Association – cosmetics ingredients list
To consult further on Decision 833 in Spanish, please click here.
