Promoting Safety and Compliance, ANSI, ARSO, AND PCPC Host Second Webinar in Cosmetics Standardization Web-Series
4/22/2021
As part of an effort to examine international cosmetics frameworks and the most efficient methods to ensure safety, quality, and efficacy in cosmetics products, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) – through its public-private partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Standards Alliance – partnered with the African Organization for Standardization (ARSO), and the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) to host the second event in a 10-part series covering cosmetics standardization and international best practices.
More than 67 participants attended the webinar, including ARSO technical committee members, as well as global private sector stakeholders. The event detailed existing cosmetics frameworks and enforcement strategies implemented by governments, regulatory entities, and standardization bodies.
Experts discussed a case study describing South Africa's approach to cosmetics standards frameworks.
Representing Cosmetics Europe, Dr. Gerald Renner, director of technical regulatory and international affairs, and Maxime Jacques, international relations manager, presented an overview of international cosmetics frameworks and the most efficient methods to ensure safety, quality, and efficacy in cosmetics products. During a two-part case study on South Africa's experience, Richard Sadiki, international relations and strategic partnership specialist for the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), outlined the mandate and priorities of SABS and how these apply to cosmetics. Dershana Jackison, head of policy and regulatory affairs for the Cosmetic, Toiletry & Fragrance Association (CFTA), delved deeper into the trade and regulatory challenges faced by the South African cosmetics industry. Collectively, the presentations described the standardization landscape in South Africa, how it affects the cosmetics industry, and the benefits of implementing South African National Standards to promote compliance and safety.
ARSO is an intergovernmental organization established by the African Union with a mission to facilitate intra-African and global trade by providing harmonized standards and facilitating their implementation. ARSO has been identified as the lead entity for the coordination and harmonization of continent-wide standards under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). PCPC is the leading national trade association representing cosmetics and personal care products companies. The organizations’ 600 member companies represent more than 90% of the U.S. beauty industry.
With the African beauty market currently expanding between 8% and 10% every year, and the expectation that this market will reach $12 billion in 2022, rising demand has underscored the need for African countries to harmonize regulatory frameworks for cosmetics and personal care products. ARSO, through ARSO Technical Committee 40, Cosmetics and Related Products, has been at the forefront of the effort to facilitate a horizontal framework for harmonization, which will promote safety and efficacy as well as increase cross-border trade flows. Beyond consumer-level protection, the standard established by TC 40 would further contribute to ARSO’s mission within the AfCFTA to develop and promote African standards that eliminate non-tariff barriers to trade.
Continuing with the series, ANSI, ARSO, and PCPC will continue their partnership during a third training activity in mid-May. Members interested in attending may contact [email protected] for further details.
About the ANSI and ARSO Collaboration
ANSI and ARSO signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the ARSO General Assembly in Arusha, Tanzania, in 2014. Since that time, the two organizations have cooperated on numerous activities.
ANSI first participated in the ARSO General Assembly in June 2016. Through a training entitled "Implementation of Standards for Trade Facilitation: Focus on Conformity Assessment Systems," several ANSI members sent experts to share best practices on conformance procedures that bolster confidence, protect consumers, and confirm product compliance without hindering trade. The meeting included 25 of the 36 ARSO member states, making it an ideal platform for the flourishing ANSI-ARSO partnership.
In 2017, ANSI sponsored an expert who provided a presentation on U.S. sustainable agriculture standards at the ARSO Conformity Assessment Committee (ARSO CACO) meeting in Swakopmund, Namibia. In 2018, ANSI, through the Standards Alliance, participated in the 2018 ARSO General Assembly, which was hosted by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) in Durban, South Africa. ANSI coordinated three presentations on the importance of standards to support international trade and regional development as part of the African Day of Standardization at the 2018 ARSO General Assembly.
Under the Standards Alliance, ANSI and ARSO also developed a National Quality Infrastructure panel as part of the U.S.–Africa Business Summit in Maputo, Mozambique. This panel included speakers from ARSO, the U.S. Trade Representative, ASTM, Proctor and Gamble, and the national standards bodies of Mozambique (INNOQ), South Africa (SABS), Senegal (ASN), and Rwanda (RSB).
ANSI continues to work closely with ARSO and the African Union through diverse work across the African continent.
