CFA has appointed John Furbank as its representative to the Standards Australia Technical Committee CS-108 Cosmetics – Terminology. John is also a member of FT-032 Organic and biodynamic products which developed the standard AS 6000 Organic and biodynamic products that includes requirements for organic cosmetic and skincare products.
The Australian marketplace is exposed to a wide variation of product quality regarding cosmetics identified as organic or natural. Organic certification is not legally required for a product supplied in Australia to be described as organic or natural. However, businesses that make any claims that products are ‘organic’ must be able to substantiate those claims. Read more on the ACCC website and how to make a complaint here.
The committee CS-108 Cosmetics will act as the Australian International Mirror Group to the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) TC 217 Cosmetics to formulate the Australian position, articulate that position in the appropriate forums, and determine how and what future international standards should be applied in the Australian context.
Committee work will include standardisation in the field of cosmetics dealing with terminology for the terms ‘organic’ and ‘natural’ including ISO 16128-2:2017 Cosmetics — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients. This document provides a framework to determine the natural, natural origin, organic and organic origin content of products based on the ingredient characterization.
Consumer participation ensures products and services meet community expectations and build consumer confidence in purchasing and using goods and services. For more information about how to become a CFA representative on a Standards Australia Technical Committee see the CFA Standards Project and/or contact Standards@consumeraction.org.au.