GUIDANCE PUBLISHED ON HEAVY METAL IMPURITIES IN COSMETIC PRODUCTS

The Turkish Ministry of Health, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (TİTCK) published a guideline on 10 May 2016 regarding "Heavy Metal Impurities in Cosmetic Products". The guideline has made it mandatory to conduct heavy metal analyses in cosmetic products, primarily for Lead, Arsenic, Mercury, Cadmium and Antimony, in order to prevent adverse effects on user health. As is known, heavy metals are substances that occur naturally in the earth's crust and water, and their quantities in the environment are increasing as a reflection of contemporary industrial development. These metals can be present as natural components at certain levels in products containing dyes and other cosmetic products; however, due to their wide occurrence in the environment and their stable chemical structure, they may be present in products as impurities. For details on the obligations introduced by the guideline, you can access here. In summary, the responsibility rests with the manufacturer to ensure that the finished cosmetic product does not exceed the limits specified above with regard to heavy metal impurities. Manufacturers are required to ensure that the raw materials used in manufacturing their products and the finished product are of appropriate quality and safe, and do not pose a risk to consumers. Heavy metal analyses fall within the scope of our laboratory's accreditation, and analyses are conducted in accordance with national and international standards. You can view our accreditation scope here.