The Public Health Ministry has updated a twenty two year version of a law that features legal and technical definitions that protect cosmetics users.
According to the Ministry, the bill includes clearer definitions and ingredients under an international standard; a wider range of prohibited ingredients; and a stricter requirement that importers or producers recall products that are banned or proven hazardous.
The bill is expected to further secure Thailand's cosmetics industry, which had a total export volume to ASEAN countries worth Bt100 billion.
Additions to Annex II of the ASEAN cosmetics Directive
Meanwhile, the twenty first meeting of the ASEAN Cosmetics Scientific Body agreed to ban five parabens in an effort to aligns ASEAN regulations with that of the EU.
The Body has been looking at the challenges and opportunities that affect cosmetics companies in the region and further afield.
The meeting attended by representatives from Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam agreed that Phenylparaben, benzylparaben, pentylparaben, isopropylparaben and isobutylparaben will all be added to Annex II of the ASEAN cosmetics Directive.
According to the minutes of that meeting; while existing products containing the parabens will be allowed to remain on the market until 30 July, Thailand and the Philippines, who both requested a longer grace period, have until December 31st.
As challenge comes with any regulatory change, it is vital that the Association understands how the changes will affect ingredient regulation and formulation, brand value, and customs and trade.
On the agenda for next time..
The notes of the gathering also revealed that the Committee's Secretary is to advise on Annex VI reference #25 accordingly, and that Triclosan in shampoos and other applications is to be discussed at the next meeting.
The ASEAN Cosmetics Association (ACA) was also tasked with checking in with Europe as to why shampoo is not stated on Annex V #25 under column f of EU and that a 'grace period' will be reviewed at the next meeting.