Sustainability, natural and organic cosmetics: consumer, products, efficacy, toxicological and regulatory considerations

The interest in sustainable products has increased along the years, since the choice of products, packaging and production processes have a great impact on the environment. These products are classified by regulatory agencies in different categories, aggregating advantages to the product and increasing the demand by consumers. However, there is no harmonization in guidelines of these certifying agencies and each cosmetic industry formulates their product and packaging in a more rational way, which causes less damage to the environment. Many cosmetic products have in their formulation natural products that perform a specific biological function, but these products should be evaluated on efficacy and toxicological aspects. The aim of this article is to approach sustainability, natural and organic cosmetics, considering the consumer and the efficacy, toxicological and regulatory aspects.

O interesse por produtos sustentáveis tem aumentado ao longo dos anos, desde a escolha dos produtos, embalagens e processos de produção tendo um grande impacto sobre o meio ambiente. Estes produtos são classificados por agências reguladoras em diferentes categorias, agregando vantagens ao produto e aumentando a demanda por parte dos consumidores. No entanto, não existe uma harmonização nas diretrizes destes órgãos de certificação e cada indústria cosmética formula seu produto e embalagem de uma forma mais racional, levando a menos danos ao meio ambiente. Muitos produtos cosméticos têm produtos naturais na formulação que executam uma função biológica específica, porém estes produtos devem ser avaliados quanto a sua eficácia e toxicidade. O objetivo deste artigo é abordar a sustentabilidade, cosméticos naturais e orgânicos, considerando os aspectos regulatórios, do consumidor e os aspectos de eficácia e toxicológicos.

Herbal Product Market in Europe / 中华中医药杂志

Herbal products,either in the form of drugs,cosmetics or health food are increasingly popular in Europe.There are wide variations throughout Europe with regard to the quality and safety control of these products.In recent years EU begins to adopt a new wave of legislation aiming at harmonizing the law.While small and medium herbal companies may feel very difficult to tackle the legal restriction problems newly imposed upon them,some large pharmaceutical companies with adequate capital and technical know-how are showing keen interest in investing in herbal products for supply to the European market.Strategic alliance,merger and acquisitions,and industry restructuring activities will frequently take place in the foreseeable future.This article argues that although facing fierce market competition Chinese herbal companies are well positioned to expand their business in Europe.Besides it makes an in-depth analysis of a set of important rules and regulations concerning borderline products,labeling,packaging,health and nutrition claims;all of which are important legal issues deserving special attention of Chinese herbal companies.