INDUSTRY TALK
Clear, concise and compliant Across industries, consumers have become increasingly information hungry and technologically savvy. This has contributed to the need to ensure that accurate information is present at the point of purchase. By Yashmay Gordhon
P
art of this consumer evolution
QUICK LINKS
means that consumers are more aware of ingredients that may
ARB – www.arb.org.za
be undesirable, either due to
CTFA – www.ctfa.co.za
personal choice or potential undesirable
DOH – www.health.gov.za
effects caused by specific medical
NRCS – www.nrcs.org.za
predispositions. The industry has also
SABS – www.sabs.co.za
experienced a trend towards products containing ingredients considered more desirable, such as those that are
products; Advertising Code of Practice;
Ingredient listing
‘natural’ and ‘organic’.
SANS 289: Labelling Requirements for
The ingredient listing is vital, as
Consumers have also become more
Pre-packaged Products (pre-packages)
it provides the consumer with
aware of the advertising of products
and General Requirements for the Sale
information on the content of the
and label claims on packaging. With
of Good subject to Legal Metrology
product. Although the DOH Draft
the explosion of the digital space, the
Control; Legal metrology Act; etc.
Regulations take precedence over
modern consumer has access to many
The Government Notice R 1469 draft
other guidelines, the South African
more information than ever before
Regulations Relating to Labelling,
Bureau of Standards also outlines
on what is acceptable or not, and an
Advertising and Composition of Cosmetics
labelling requirements in SANS 98. As a
increased appetite to question any
(DOH Draft Regulations) Regulation 8:
minimum requirement, the ingredient
claims made by brands.
Labelling outlines and lists the requirements
listing must be present on the label
for the primary and secondary package of
preceded by the word, ‘ingredients’.
To meet consumers’ expectations while complying with regulatory
a cosmetic product.
Provision is made for smaller packages, allowing the information
requirements, companies placing
The primary container or packaging
cosmetic products on the market
should contain the following information:
to be included on an attached
should have an awareness and
• name of the cosmetic
leaflet, label, inlay, tape, tag or card
understanding of standards, guidelines,
• country of origin for
(as per Regulation 8.3 of DOH Draft
regulations and best practice within the
imported cosmetics
Regulations), either enclosed with
South African context. As an industry
• date of minimum durability
the cosmetic, or on a notice in close
association, the Cosmetic, Toiletry &
• batch number or lot number of
proximity to the container in which the
Fragrance Association (CTFA) advises
the product
cosmetic product is exposed for sale
on such matters. It also promotes the
• function of the cosmetic (unless it is
(as per SANS 98).
responsibility that companies have in providing accurate and compliant label information on packaging.
clear from the presentation)
Regarding the ingredients
• particular precautions and warning
themselves, the international and
statements to be observed in use,
national standard requires that all
where applicable, and at least those
ingredients be listed according
listed in Annexes I, II, III, IV and V.
to International Nomenclature
Minimum labelling requirements
The secondary container or packaging
for Cosmetic Ingredients or INCI
A number of aspects pertaining
should contain the following:
description. This global practice
to labelling should be considered,
• the name and business address of the
ensures a uniform and globally
including the requirements outlined in the Department of Health’s (DOH) draft Regulations Relating to Labelling,
responsible person
recognised system of listing
• the nominal content at the time of
ingredients which aids the ease
packaging declared by weight
of trade between countries. INCI
Advertising and Composition of
or volume
descriptions are also recognised
Cosmetics, Government Notice R 1469;
• the list of ingredients according to
by medical professionals, who are
SANS 98: Ingredient labelling of cosmetic
INCI nomenclature.
equipped to treat adverse reactions
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2020 | P C Review 2020 | P C Review
