Cosmetic Products Becoming Increasingly Higher-Quality and Reliable

Cosmetic Products Gaining in Quality and Reliability KÜAD Cosmetics Manufacturers and Researchers Association Chairman Levent Kahrıman stated: "The sector should not be perceived through the lens of personal wealth or 'influencer marketing' when it is one based on academia, knowledge, and the acquisition of numerous certifications and analyses required to bring products to market. There are approximately 3,000 production facilities and over 50,000 brands registered with the Turkish Patent Institute."

Cosmetic products are becoming increasingly higher in quality and reliability

Cosmetics Manufacturers and Researchers Association Chairman Levent Kahrıman emphasized that Turkey has a cosmetic sector with a history of approximately 100 years and continued as follows: "This sector was largely dominated by global brand names. Skincare products were mainly sold through direct sales, but in recent years, particularly with the internet, domestic brands have begun to gain significant market positions. In the cosmetics sector, products manufactured in Turkey under Turkish brands are now being sold. In cosmetics manufacturing, as in many other sectors worldwide (textiles, technology, food), the method known as contract manufacturing is applied. There are various implementations of contract manufacturing. For example, if you do not own a production facility but a production facility can do it, you reach an agreement with them and thus benefit from their technical capabilities to have your desired product manufactured. This process is not easy. It is a method used by many brands from textiles to technology, and food brands also apply this method. Brands prepare their own standards and then the brand owner inspects the facility, and if the manufacturer meets these requirements, an agreement is reached to produce the formula. Cosmetic production goes through a two-stage production infrastructure process. We can call this obtaining permits. One is the license issued by the municipality, the second is registration with the Ministry of Health and establishing conditions called "Good Management Practices" to prepare production facilities. All cosmetic manufacturers must conduct production according to the "good manufacturing practices" method. This method provides a standard that is recognized and followed worldwide as ISO 22716 and GMP. The Ministry of Health inspects manufacturers to see whether these conditions are met. The Ministry of Health applies sanctions against companies engaged in improper production within this scope and in many other respects (particularly contents that would affect product safety) when unsuitable product manufacturing occurs. The Ministry publishes these sanctions on its website and exposes the company's violations. In this respect, we can say that the cosmetics sector in Turkey is under market surveillance inspection and has contributed to making cosmetic products manufactured in our country increasingly higher in quality and reliability over time.''

Cosmetics sector among highest tax-paying sectors

Kahrıman stated that the cosmetics sector is one of the highest tax-paying sectors in Turkey: "Currently, the cosmetics sector in Turkey is the highest tax-paying sector within chemical industries, because cosmetic products are subject to excise tax. For example, when a cosmetic product leaves the factory, it is taxed at approximately 45% combined, consisting of 20% excise tax and VAT added on top of the 20% excise tax-inclusive price. There is a field worldwide called "influencer marketing," or the "selfie economy." People can sell everything from textiles to handbags. In Turkey, this marketing method also brought the cosmetic product market to the fore. What we want to emphasize is that Turkey has a large and trustworthy cosmetics manufacturing infrastructure. There are approximately 3,000 production facilities, around 50,000 brands registered with the Turkish Patent Institute, and cosmetics in Turkey has a historical memory spanning over approximately one hundred years. Besides, in universities in Turkey, cosmetic chemistry and product safety are studied and taught in dozens of departments. Congresses and trade fairs are held annually in this field. A sector with so much academia, knowledge, and numerous certifications and analyses required to bring products to market should not be perceived through the framework of recent developments along the "influencer marketing" axis. Our country's domestic facilities produce for many global brands worldwide and for their own brands in particular; this important sector of our country should be evaluated from a scientific perspective.''