Abstract
This paper evaluates the proposed amendments to New Zealand’s Cosmetic Group Standard that relate to nanomaterials in cosmetics. Manufactured nanomaterials are being increasingly used in cosmetic products. There are concerns that some nanomaterials present potential human and environmental health and safety risks. The proposed amendments are unique in New Zealand not only because they make specific mention of nanomaterials, but also because they propose introducing labelling requirements. Few jurisdictions have adopted mandatory labelling for products containing nanomaterials. The use of nanomaterials in consumer products provides another opportunity to explore the efficacy of labelling as a regulatory tool. The challenges are heightened for products containing nanomaterials due to the difficulties in defining the term “nano.”
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bowman, D.M., G. van Calster, and S. Friedrichs. 2010. Correspondence to the editor: Nanomaterials and regulation of cosmetics. Nature Nanotechnology 5(2): 92.
D’Silva, J., and D.M. Bowman. 2010. To label or not to label?—It’s more than a nano-sized question. European Journal of Risk Regulation 4: 420–427.
European Union Cosmetics Directive (76/768/EEC). 1976. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1976L0768:20100301:en:PDF, available from http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/sectors/cosmetics/documents/directive/index_en.htm. Accessed December 2011.
Faunce, T., K. Murray, H. Nasu, and D. Bowman. 2008. Sunscreen safety: The precautionary principle, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration and nanoparticles in sunscreens. NanoEthics 2(3): 231–240.
Friends of the Earth. No date. Australian industry group backs mandatory nano-labelling in sunscreens, cosmetics. http://nano.foe.org.au/australian-industry-group-backs-mandatory-nano-labelling-n-sunscreens-cosmetics. Accessed December 2011.
Gavaghan, C., and J. Moore. 2011. A review of the adequacy of New Zealand’s regulatory systems to manage the possible impacts of manufactured nanomaterials. New Zealand: Wellington and Dunedin.
Gergely, A., and L. Coroyannakis. 2009. Nanotechnology in the EU cosmetics regulation. Household and Personal Care Today 3: 28–30.
Jahnen-Dechent, W., and U. Simon. 2008. Function follows form: Shape complementarity and nanoparticle toxicity. Nanomedicine 3(5): 601–603.
Ludlow, K. 2007. The readiness of Australian food regulation for the use of nanotechnology in food and food packaging. University of Tasmania Law Review 26(2): 177–203.
Miller, G. 2009. Science of the small may carry big risk. The Age, March 28. http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/science-of-the-small-may-carry-big-risk-20090327-9e6g.html. Accessed February 2012.
Miller, G., and Friends of the Earth Australia Nanotechnology Project. 2006. Nanomaterials, sunscreens and cosmetics: Small ingredients, big risks. Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia: Friends of the Earth Australia and Friends of the Earth United States
New South Wales Parliament. 2008. Report 33: Nanotechnology in New South Wales. New South Wales: Standing Committee on State Development.
New Zealand Cosmetic Products Group Standard. 2010. http://archive.ermanz.govt.nz/hs/groupstandards/standards/cosmetics/Cosmetic_Products_Group_Standard_2006_(as_amended_2010).pdf. Accessed December 2011.
New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (NZEPA). 2011. Proposals for amendments to the Cosmetic Group Standard. Wellington: NZEPA. http://www.epa.govt.nz/search-databases/HSNO%20Application%20Register%20Documents/ERMA200782_ERMA200782%20Consultation%20Document.pdf. Accessed December 2011.
New Zealand Sustainability Council. 2010. The invisible revolution: Nanotech commercialisation racing ahead of safety regulation. Wellington: Sustainability Council.
Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 (Cosmetics Regulation), Article 17(10)(a).
Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (RCEP). 2008. Novel materials in the environment: The case of nanotechnology. London: RCEP.
Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP). 2007. Opinion on the safety of nanomaterials in cosmetic products. Brussels: European Commission Health and Consumer Protection Directorate-General SCCP.
Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR). 2010. Opinion on the scientific basis for the definition of the term “nanomaterial.” Brussels: European Commission Health and Consumer Protection Directorate-General SCENIHR.
The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies. No date. Consumer products: An inventory of nanotechnology-based consumer products currently on the market. http://www.nanotechproject.org/inventories/consumer/. Accessed December 2011.
The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies. 2011. Nanotech-enabled consumer products continue to rise: Oversight challenges still exist. http://www.nanotechproject.org/news/archive/9231/. Accessed December 2011.
Throne-Holst, H., and A. Rip. 2011. Complexities of labelling of nano-products on the consumer markets. European Journal of Law and Technology 2(3). http://ejlt.org//article/view/83/175. Accessed December 13, 2011.
Acknowledgments
I am very grateful to the reviewers for their excellent comments that served to improve this paper.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Moore, J. New Zealand’s Regulation of Cosmetic Products Containing Nanomaterials. Bioethical Inquiry 9, 185–188 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11673-012-9372-0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11673-012-9372-0