Guidelines for application for registration of cosmetics

Provisions 86-92 of the Tanzania, Food, Drugs and Cosmetic Act, 2003 prohibit sale of unsafe and poor quality cosmetics. One of the effective ways of regulating cosmetics is through registration which involves pre-market quality and safety assessment.

The guidelines are presented in four sections.  Section one covers definition of the terms as applied to these guidelines.  Section two stipulate general requirements and information related to applicant, types of application, documentation, submission and processing of application, validity of registration, payment of fees and termination or suspension of product registration.

Section three deals with product specific requirements with the objective of guiding applicants on quality control data required for evaluation of quality and safety of cosmetics.

Section four provides guidance on how to label cosmetics.  This section details information to be declared on label and how such information should be presented as a way of harmonizing labeling of cosmetics to be sold in the country.  Furthermore, under the “right-to-know” slogan this section forms a basis of providing the public with information it needs to make informed choice.

Appended to these guidelines are lists of Cosmetic forms, intended use of cosmetics, prohibited ingredients in cosmetics, minimum quality control tests to be performed in absence of National Standards and permissible and non-permissible claims for cosmetics.

The guidelines will be available very soon!!!