Safety evaluation of baby cosmetics should be improved, says French agency
French Health Agency, Afsapps, launched an investigation into products aimed at babies and young children back in October 2008, following a media storm surrounding the safety of these products.
In partnership with the General Directorate for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF), the agency investigated a total of 79 products including wipes, creams, milks, gels and lotions all aimed at young children.
According to Afssaps, the products conformed to European regulations for cosmetics concerning their composition, microbiological content and labelling.
Most products conform to regulations
Furthermore, the agency suggested that conformation to regulation is higher in this class of products than for formulations aimed at adults.
However, the conclusions of the investigation were not wholly positive as the agency believes the testing protocols within the regulations specific to products aimed at young children should be improved.
According to current European legislation, cosmetics products directed at infants should undergo a more detailed safety assessment than is required for products directed at other consumer groups.
But, Afssaps claims that there are no official requirements regarding the tests that should be performed and the data that should be provided by manufacturers placing such products on the market.
As part of the wider investigation, Afssaps looked at 47 products, 3 of which had not prepared any specific information relating to its use on young children and infants, and for the other 44 the agency did not deem the information provided as specific.
Afssaps has prepared a document containing recommendations for how manufacturers can improve their evaluation procedures for this type of products, which will be published by the end of the year after a public consultation period.
According to the agency, the aim is to present the findings of this investigation along with the recommendations at the European level in the hope of harmonising the safety evaluations performed by manufacturers across the region.
