Updates on November 27, 2023.
According to the Environmental Protection Authority(Epa), the decision-making committee (DMC) closed the hearing on November 22, 2023. The decision will be publicly notified no later than January 30 2024.
The amendments EPA is proposing include:
banning all PFAS ingredients in cosmetic products
extending the group standard to cover more products
aligning New Zealand rules for ingredients with the European Union.
The revision of New Zealand’s Cosmetic Products Group Standard has drawn the attention of cosmetic industry. After an online webinar on April 12 to introduce the proposed amendments1, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) held a public hearing on September 20, 20232.
At that hearing, Manatū Hauora (Ministry of Health) spoke to the submitted suggestions about adding labelling requirements for fluoride concentrations in fluoride-containing toothpaste to the Cosmetic Product Group Standard. Details are as follows:
For any toothpaste with compounds containing fluorine at a concentration of 0.1 to 0.15% calculated as F, unless it is already labelled as contra-indicated for children (e.g., for adult use only), the following labelling is obligatory: Children five years and under should use a smear of toothpaste, while children six years and over should use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. |
The decision-making committee (DMC) believed it needed additional information before they could conclude the hearing and move forward with making a decision. Therefore, DMC adjourned the hearing and requested Ministry of Health to provide further information around labelling of fluoride toothpaste, including:
The mandatory label phrasings, including the units for fluoride concentration.
Information on the impact of fluoride in toothpastes on human health, including oral health.
Evidence or existing resources (such as webpages and pamphlets) that demonstrate that the consumer or general public will benefit from a greater understanding of fluoride concentration in toothpaste.
To offer an opinion on whether fluoride should replace fluorine in the Group Standard. The current version reads: "For any toothpaste with compounds containing fluorine at a concentration of 0.1 to 0.15% calculated as F…"
EPA will publish additional information received from Manatū Hauora to all parties and post that information on the EPA website3. Stakeholders, particularly in the toothpaste industry, are welcomed to comment on the proposal including the fluoride labelling requirements.
Once the DMC is satisfied that they have sufficient information to reach a decision, they will close the hearing. The decision and updated group standard will be published by EPA on the website.
For reference, the initially proposed amendments include:
Banning all PFAS ingredients in cosmetic products
Extending the group standard to cover more products
Aligning New Zealand rules for ingredients with the European Union.
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