The Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences (TCELS) under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, has collaborated with the Pharmacy Faculty of Mahidol University to elevate the standard of cosmetics through the TCELS Cosmetics and Food Supplements Program. Both parties organized a seminar for producers to improve the quality, safety and efficiency (QSE) of cosmetics at the faculty on 28 February 2020.
The QSE scheme aims to enhance SMEs’ competitiveness by upgrading product standards and allowing consumers access to quality products made in Thailand in line with the concept “Make Every Life Better”. This year saw 14 producers participating in clinical trials and the improvement of formularies to meet QSE standards. They also received advice on preparing product information files (PIF).
Asst. Prof. Dr. Veerawat Teeranachaideekul, Assistant Dean for Innovation and Technology Transfer at the Pharmacy Faculty of Mahidol University, noted that at present, cosmetics producers must comply with the Cosmetics Act B.E. 2558 and the relevant laws and regulations of the Food and Drug Administration under the Ministry of Public Health.
This requires manufacturers to prepare PIF and be ready for their products to be tested by designated officers as and when requested. The PIF includes raw materials, ingredients, information on production, finished products, efficiency and safety data and must be completed before the products go on to the market. The PIF is additional measure for consumer protection and practiced in the development of cosmetics before they become commercially available. This is undertaken to ensure that the products meet the QSE standard.
Assist. Prof. Dr. Veerawat pointed out the QSE scheme was very useful for the manufacturers because the QSE test needs expensive equipment, teams of professionals and high budget. Thus, TCELS’ support for the scheme offered a good opportunity for manufacturers to test their products.
For products that do not meet the standards through the QSE test, the manufacturers would receive advice for further improvement of the formularies. All participating manufacturers also received support for skin irritation testing in a modern laboratory staffed by professionals.
“The biggest concern in the development of cosmetics for distribution on the market is the products must be of good quality, safe to use and efficient in their purpose as advertised,” Asst. Prof. Dr. Veerawat concluded.
Photo caption 1: Products on display at the seminar from participating supplies: Vita Viva Co., Ltd., TP Health and Beauty Products Co., Ltd., Sareya Skincare, Unlimited Happiness Co., Ltd., STS Natural Products Co., Ltd., Wuttisak Aesthetic Care Co., Ltd. Innovative Pharma Herbs Co., Ltd., Suan Phai Luang Co., Ltd., Neo Cosmed Co., Ltd., Varisa Herb Co., Ltd., Mae Thong Kham Herbal Community Enterprise, Three Cosmed Co., Ltd., and World Cosmeter Lab Co., Ltd.