India Solicits Public Opinions on Updated Standards for Petroleum Jelly in Cosmetics

On January 12, 2024, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) released the IS 4887 Specification for Petroleum Jelly for Cosmetic Industry (Second Revision) for public consultation until March 12, 2024. Petroleum jelly, a soft, semi-solid substance derived from petroleum oils, plays a pivotal role in various cosmetic applications, such as creams, rouges, lipsticks, and hair dressings, functioning as an emollient for chapped skin.

The IS 4887 standard, initially introduced in 1968 and subsequently revised in 1980, specifies the requirements for and methods of sampling and test for petroleum jelly used in the cosmetic industry. The recent consultation draft of IS 4887 marks the second revision, encompassing a range of key updates aimed at elevating the quality and safety benchmarks for petroleum jelly used for cosmetic purposes. In the draft, modifications to specification requirements and marking criteria are of great importance.

1. Specification Adjustments

The draft suggests several significant changes to enhance the quality parameters of petroleum jelly. These include raising the upper limit of the melting range from 56°C to 80°C, imposing the maximum limit of 1 part per million (ppm) for mercury content, and introducing alternative test methods for arsenic determination.

2. Expanded Marking Criteria

Additionally, the draft introduces substantial revisions to the marking requirements for containers of petroleum jelly. In addition to existing labeling mandates, the draft proposes the inclusion of additional marking items as shown in the below table.