ASEAN Updates Cosmetic Ingredient Technical Requirements

Takehome: During ASEAN’s semi-annual meeting the ASEAN Cosmetic Committee proposed several changes to technical requirements for specific ingredients.

During the ASEAN’s semi-annual meeting in Vietnam the restrictions for thioglycolic acid and its salts were finalized. Its usage scope is now confined to:

• Hair waving or straightening products
• Depilatories
• Other rinse-off hair care products
• From September its use in eyelash-waving products is strictly prohibited.

In addition, considering the safety concerns associated with talc-containing cosmetics, the ASEAN Cosmetic Committee proposed to develop an ASEAN Joint Opinion Statement for ingredients of public health concern. Before a formal policy is drafted, Singapore, Philippines and Thailand will conduct more research.

The Guidelines on Limits of Contaminants for Cosmetics was also finalized during the meeting. The guidelines set the maximum limit for total microbial contamination (bacterial, yeast and molds), individual microbial contamination (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans) and heavy metals (mercury, lead, arsenic and cadmium).