ISO 22716:2007
ISO 22716
ISO 22716 is an international standard of good manufacturing practices (GMP) for the cosmetics manufacturing industry and describes the basic principles of applying GMP in a facility that produces finished cosmetic products. This guideline offers organised and practical advice on the management of human, technical and administrative factors affecting product quality.
ISO 22716 provides a widespread approach for an organisation’s management of quality system through practical methods.
It covers manufacturing, storing, packaging, testing and transportation processes. It does not apply to research and development activities and the distribution of finished cosmetic products. Even though the standard focuses on product quality, it does not include the safety of the employees engaged in production or protection of the environment. The guideline has been approved and accepted by many global regulatory bodies, such as the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the International Cooperation on Cosmetics Regulation (ICCR) and the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN).
IMPORATNCE OF ISO 22716 IN THE COSMETIC INDUSTRY
ISO 22716 covers all aspects of a cosmetic product being created and sold to a customer. It includes how to correctly handle the supply chain for materials and ingredients used to create a cosmetic product, but it also helps to determine the criteria for quality at various stages of production. From the purchase of raw materials and components to the processing and final packaging of the product, you’ll find that ISO 22716 is extremely comprehensive.
As a result, following the ISO 22716 standard can benefit both customers and businesses:
- Helps to ensure quality and safety compliance throughout every stage of the supply chain. This leads to a better final product while ensuring a safe environment for employees.
- Reduces the potential hazards of cosmetics manufacturing and promotes better manufacturing practices to protect employees and also the environment.
- Supports legal compliance from international regulators, allowing businesses to create products and serve them to a variety of markets while adhering to local regulations.
- Promotes continuous improvement in operations through an internal auditing system that quickly identifies and resolves problems to ensure a smooth manufacturing process.
- Helps establish a comprehensive system to deal with product deviations, complaints, and recalls.
A company that operates in an ISO 22716 accredited environment can be trusted with the sourcing of raw materials, the production of cosmetics, and its distribution. Working with a partner that has been ISO accredited can drastically improve a business’s effectiveness while also providing the tools and systems necessary to optimise the production process.
THE RELATION BETWEEN ISO 22716 AND GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICES (GMP)
The ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) is a non-governmental body that helps to establish internationally-accepted standards in a number of different industries. In 2007, the International Cooperation on Cosmetic Regulation (ICCR) decided that they would use an ISO standard for publishing GMP guidelines for different nations. This led to the formation of ISO 22716 which specifically targeted the cosmetics and personal care sector.
In short, any company that operates in an ISO 22716 accredited environment prides itself on following established guidelines that can ultimately lead to a better product and more secure practices that protect consumers.
WHAT IS AN ISO 22716 ACCREDITED ENVIRONMENT?
ISO accreditation means that an ISO-certified accreditation body has checked the compliance of a product, system, or process and has determined that it meets ISO requirements. In the case of ISO 22716 accreditation, it means that a company is certified by these strict international guidelines to produce cosmetic products. In other words, it’s a seal of approval from a third-party body that shows how competent a company is at following ISO standards.
An ISO accredited environment typically means that the business complies with all relevant safety practices to ensure that their products are safe to use, but it also means that their products are suitable for a range of different markets. This is because nationally GMP guidelines for cosmetics are based on the ISO 22716 standard. So if you work with a company that promotes an ISO 22716 accredited environment, those products can safely be shipped, marketed, and sold in other nations.
In order for any cosmetic business to be successful, its products must be produced to be both effective and safe. By understanding the basics of Good Manufacturing Practices, you can drastically improve your business’s reputation and also safeguard your products from potential issues such as contamination or a lack of quality control. Brands may find that applying these practices to their existing workflow can be daunting, but the GMP supports continuous improvement that will help your business grow over time.
When working with a partner that operates in an ISO 22716 accredited environment, provides you with added peace of mind knowing that your cosmetic products are created to the highest standard and with customer safety in mind.
