In order to ensure that cosmetic products are of the right quality, it is necessary to follow GMP principles. These procedures are included in the EN ISO 22716 standard.
Table of contents:
- GMP – what does it mean?
- Good manufacturing practices for cosmetics
- How to get GMP certification – cosmetics
- GMP principles in cosmetics manufacturing. Summary
GMP – what does it mean?
GMP is an acronym for Good Manufacturing Practice. Cosmetics good manufacturing practices are designed to ensure the proper quality of products by encompassing the three basic areas of any manufacturing company. Here we are talking about production, quality control, storage and dispatch of finished products. Good manufacturing practices are mainly aimed at maintaining production hygiene and preventing the production of products that will not meet quality requirements.
It should be stressed that good manufacturing practices do not cover the overall operation of the company, R&D activities and the distribution methods of finished products. Implementing GMP standards will ensure that a given product is consistently manufactured, inspected and stored in accordance with accepted policies and procedures, thereby ensuring that it is safe for use by end users.
The requirements of a good manufacturing practices system are presented in detail in the harmonised standard EN ISO 22716:2009. The standard provides practical advice on how a company should manage its human, technical and administrative resources in order to achieve the highest possible quality of its products. How a manufacturer meets the requirements described in the standard is entirely up to him.
Good manufacturing practices for cosmetics
Cosmetics manufacturers are obliged by law to comply with good manufacturing practices. Quality assurance from their perspective Cosmetic companies must prepare and make available to the relevant quality control authorities in the form of documentation, their production principles that are in line with good manufacturing practices. Detailed cosmetic good manufacturing practices are provided in the EN ISO 22716:2007 Cosmetics – Guidelines on Good Manufacturing Practices standard. It includes cosmetic GMP guidelines on the manufacture, control and storage and transport of cosmetic products. These cosmetic GMP guidelines are summarised below.
Cosmetics good manufacturing practices primarily apply to employees. All persons involved in the broadly defined cosmetic manufacturing process should have adequate knowledge of the production, control, storage and transport of cosmetic products.
Good manufacturing practices obviously cover also the premises of production facilities. These premises should be located, arranged, constructed, maintained and operated in such a manner that they provide adequate protection for the manufactured product. Good manufacturing practices also state that the premises must be easy to clean and allow for disinfection. The premises should also be arranged in such a way as to minimise the chance of an error and mixing of products or raw materials.
Equipment requirements are also described by good manufacturing practices. Cosmetic products must be manufactured on suitable equipment that can be easily cleaned and disinfected. In turn, all raw materials used in production and packaging according to good manufacturing practices must meet certain quality criteria, which in turn will ensure the quality of the finished product.
Each production stage and all operations related to the manufacture and packaging of the product must be in accordance with good manufacturing practices. Only then will cosmetic products meet the quality criteria set. The quality of the final product is also affected by storage, shipping and the way it will be handled in the event of a possible return.
Of course, good manufacturing practices also apply to the quality control department. Appropriate tests and trials are carried out in this department to ensure that the raw materials or the finished cosmetic products are only approved for use or distribution if they meet the quality requirements. Good manufacturing practices also cover the issue of waste management. What does it mean? Waste from the cosmetic facility must be disposed of according to an established plan and in a hygienic manner.
How complaints and returns are described by good manufacturing practices is also extremely important. Cosmetic products that have been complained about for any reason should be properly tested and their manufacturing process analysed. If necessary, the manufacturer must take action, which may ultimately even include a product recall. It is also necessary to define the rules for complaints with possible subcontractors and suppliers.
How to get GMP certification – cosmetics
How can a manufacturer obtain approval for its quality system? Cosmetic products are not particularly different in this case from other industries covered by ISO 22716. The first step is to prepare appropriate documentation, including system procedures, operating instructions and the necessary forms. All these documents must, of course, comply with the requirements set out in the standard.
Next, familiarise employees with the new regulations arising from good manufacturing practices. What does it mean? The employer should organise appropriate training, which should be tailored to employees at each level, as different requirements will apply to rank-and-file employees and others to managers.
After implementing GMP standards and familiarising all employees involved in the cosmetics manufacturing process with them, a so-called internal audit takes place to confirm that the new standards comply with the requirements of ISO 22716. If a company passes the audit, it receives a certificate of compliance with the standard. If the audit reveals non-compliance, corrections are made and the audit is repeated at a later date.
GMP principles in cosmetics manufacturing. Summary
Good manufacturing practices guarantee that both the cosmetic product and its entire manufacturing process comply with all the requirements set out in the documentation that forms the basis for a product’s approval for distribution. Good manufacturing practices apply to all personnel involved in the production of a cosmetic product as well as to the premises and equipment of the production facility.
Good manufacturing practices also set out requirements on the raw materials used in production, the packaging in which the products are placed as well as how cosmetic products are stored and transported. Manufacturers are also required to prepare appropriate procedures in case of complaints and possible recalls.
What do manufacturers gain by implementing GMP standards in line with ISO 22716? Above all, these principles make it possible to ensure the correct quality of the products manufactured and their reproducibility, which in turn allows for the safe distribution of cosmetics to the customer.
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