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Test Methods for Prohibited or Restricted Substances in Cosmetics

On 20 Nov 2012, the SFDA is seeking public comments on test methods for certain prohibited or restricted cosmetic ingredients,including 10 colorants and 7 hair dyes, listed in the Hygienic Standard for Cosmetics (2007), which has been revised and under public consultation.

On 20 Nov 2012, the SFDA is seeking public comments on test methods for certain prohibited or restricted cosmetic ingredients,including 10 colorants and 7 hair dyes, listed in  the Hygienic Standard for Cosmetics (2007), which has been revised and under public consultation.

The Hygienic Standard for Cosmetics, formulated by the Ministry of Health in 2007, plays a significant role in managing the safety of cosmetic ingredients and finished products. The Standard contains lists of substances that are banned or restricted in cosmetics in China as well as the toxicological, hygienic chemical, microbiological test methods, etc.. Its revision will bring about update of supporting documents relating to cosmetic ingredients and their testing methods in order to reinforce the cosmetic evaluation.

Recently, Shanghai food and drug administration revealed that the antibiotics and metronidazole which are banned cosmetic ingredients are found to be illegally added in some cosmetic products. The release of those test methods will contribute to improve the testing of banned or restricted cosmetic ingredients and curb the illegal addition. 

10 annexes with illustration of testing methods and their drafting background are displayed on the SFDA’s website. The following table shows different test methods for their corresponding banned or restricted cosmetic ingredients and the cosmetic products which may contain those tested substances.

Annex

Test method

Substance

Applied cosmetics

Property

1

LC-MS-MS method

10 quinolones

may be in cosmetics for acne treatment

banned

2

LC-MS-MS method

9 antifungal substances

may be easily added in anti-dandruff cosmetics

banned

3

Gas chromatographic method

 

α-Chlorotoluene

(CAS 100-44-7)

hair care products, creams, emulsions

banned

4

Headspace gas chromatographic method-flame ionization detector

 

Ethylene oxide

(CAS 75-21-8)

Methyloxirane

(CAS 75-56-9)

cleansing cosmetics and other liquid products

banned

5

High performance liquid chromatographic method (HPLC)

Diethyl maleate

(CAS 141-05-9)

sun-screen lotions (creams), nail polish, perfumes

banned

6

HPLC

10 colorants

blush, lipstick, foundation, nail polish, eye shadow, eyelash mascara

restricted

7

HPLC

7 hair dyes

hair perm and hair dye products

restricted

8

HPLC

aminocaproic acid

liquid, cream and powdered products

banned

9

HPLC

Chlorphenesin (preservative)

liquid, cream and powdered products

restricted

10

Ion chromatographic method

5 organic amines

liquid, cream and powdered products

ban or restricted

The deadline for this consultation is 15 Dec 2012.

For any comment, you need to fill out the feedback form of test methods or contact Mr. Lin Qingbin from the SFDA:

Note: You can also post your comments on our website and we would help you to deliver them to the SFDA.

Reference Link

 Hygienic Standard for Cosmetics (2007)

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