New EU Commission Recommendation for PPE and Medical Devices – COVID-19

PPE and Medical Devices have proven to be essential for healthcare workers in the efforts to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. In March 2020, the EU Commission urged the economic operators to increase rapid supply into the market. Currently, the Commission considers that the conditions for exceptional access to market are no longer met, limiting the placing of PPE and Medical Devices which have not successfully undergone the relevant conformity assessment procedures applicable on the EU market.

September 15, 2021

EU Medical Devices Trade with Switzerland after the Implementation of the MDR

The new EU regulation on medical devices (EU-MDR) has been enforced since May 26, 2021. However, Switzerland is not an EU Member State, which means it is considered a third country according to the new EU-MDR. This entails consequences for the trade of CE-marked medical devices between Switzerland and the EU.

August 16, 2021

Harmonized Standards for Medical Devices

In July 2021, the European Commission published an Implementing Decision on the harmonized standards for medical devices. These standards were drafted in support of Regulation (EU) 2017/745, the new EU Medical Devices Regulation.

August 2, 2021

The CORE-MD Project

The new regulation on medical devices (MDR) has already come into force in the EU. The new rules increase clinical evidence requirements for high-risk medical devices. The main goals of the CORE-MD project are to translate expert knowledge into advice for EU regulatory guidance and to strengthen expertise in regulatory science in the clinical community.

July 13, 2021

BREXIT – Impact on Medical Devices placed in the UK market

From 31 of December 2020, the UK will be regarded as a third country and not a Member State of the European Union. There will be some changes regarding medical devices placed in the UK. The UK’s MHRA has published guidance regarding the regulation of medical devices from 1 January 2021, where it explains what changes and what there is to know about placing a medical device in the Great Britain, Northern Ireland and EU markets.

October 12, 2020

Brazil – Class II Medical Devices – New Resolution

A new Resolution of the Collegiate Board of Directors (RDC No. 423/2020) has been published by Brazil’s National Agency of Health Surveillance (ANVISA). This new Resolution announces the elimination of the ‘Cadastro’ pathway regarding the registration of medical devices (Class II) and IVDs, substituting it with a notification registration system.

September 29, 2020

EU Medical Devices Regulation – Unique Device Identifier (UDI)

In 2017, two Regulations on medical devices (MDR) and in in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDR) entered into force in the European Union (EU), establishing a modernized and more robust EU legislative framework and safeguarding a better public health protection and patient safety. According to the these Regulations, the Unique Device Identifier (UDI) will be mandatory for all medical devices and in vitro medical devices.

September 1, 2020

Swiss Medical Devices Regulation Revision

A revision of the Medical Devices Ordinance (MedDO) has been approved by the Swiss Federal Council. This revision will take effect on 26th May 2021, along with a new Ordinance on Clinical Trials for Medical Devices (ClinO-MED). The aim of this revision is to align and harmonize it with the European Union Medical Devices Regulation (MDR) and consequently simplify market trading and maintain Switzerland’s market participation.

July 21, 2020

EU MDR – Person Responsible for Regulatory Compliance (PRRC)

The EU Medical Devices Regulation (MDR) lays down the rules regarding the placing on the market, making available on the market or putting into service of medical devices and accessories for such devices. When compared to the prior applicable Directives, the MDR (and also IVDR) makes it mandatory for manufacturers to have within their organizations at least one Person Responsible for Regulatory Compliance.

July 14, 2020

Could antibody serologic tests downplay SARS-CoV-2 virus prevalence?

Antibody studies might underestimate the share of a population that has been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Most antibody tests have been validated using blood samples from people hospitalized with severe disease. But these individuals, who make up only a small fraction of infected people, might have higher levels of antibodies circulating in their body than have people with mild or no symptoms.

June 4, 2020

Medical Devices – Brazil Regulatory Framework

Brazil represents the biggest market for medical devices in South America. Selling and marketing medical devices in Brazil requires several actions and compliance with legislation and standards, which can be a complex process.

May 15, 2020

Medical Devices – U.S. Regulatory Framework

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the authority regulating Medical Devices in the U.S., to ensure their safety and effectiveness. Medical devices are divided into three classes (I, II and III) and this classification defines the regulatory requirements for each device type.

May 4, 2020

Medical Devices – EU Regulatory Framework

Medical Devices and In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices have a fundamental role in saving lives by providing innovative healthcare solutions for the diagnosis, prevention, monitoring, prediction, prognosis, treatment or alleviation of disease. The European regulatory framework ensures the safety and performance of medical devices and facilitates patients’ access to devices in the European market. To keep up with advances in science and technology, 2 new Regulations are replacing the 3 existing Directives in the coming years.

April 23, 2020

How are Cosmetic Products Regulated in India?

The different expectations and needs of consumers are continually changing and therefore the cosmetic industry needs to be gradually evolve to meet the new consumer’s demand. In this regard, India has recently introduced some regulatory updates to ensure that cosmetics placed on the market are safer for all consumers.

September 22, 2021

Is Phenoxyethanol Safe for Use in All Cosmetic Products?

Phenoxyethanol is a common preservative used in cosmetic and personal care products worldwide. It has been subject to various safety assessments and most concluded about its safety under the current most frequent uses. Nevertheless, some concerns were raised by the French Agency ANSM, particularly regarding its use in products intended for the nappy area in children up to 3 years old.

September 21, 2021

Cannabis-Derived Ingredients in Cosmetic Products

Cannabis-derived ingredients are popular compounds with interesting properties. There is specific EU and national legislation regarding cannabis-derived ingredients, identifying which extracts and derivatives may be used in cosmetic products. There are several aspects to consider to ensure compliance when adding these compounds to cosmetics and personal care products.

September 20, 2021

Cosmetic Products Testing in the European Union

A cosmetic product which is made available on the European Union market needs to prove that it is safe for consumers. Apart from the mandatory testing, depending on the claims to be used or the type of cosmetic product to be placed on the market, additional tests may be required.

September 20, 2021

European Commission Report on Nanomaterials – 2021

The European Commission is required to submit to the European Parliament and the Council an annual status report on the use of nanomaterials in cosmetic products and to review the provisions concerning nanomaterials in the European Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products. In July 2021, the Commission has issued its latest annual report on this subject.

September 15, 2021

Animal Testing Ban in Mexico

Mexico has become the first country in North America to ban animal testing in cosmetic products. There are now 41 nations in the world that do not allow cosmetics to be tested on animals.

September 14, 2021

New Amendments to the European Cosmetic Regulation

Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/1099 of 5 July 2021 sets out that Deoxyarbutin should be prohibited in cosmetic products and that the use of Dihydroxyacetone should be restricted in non-oxidative hair dye products and in self-tanning products. This results in one new entry to Annex II and one new entry to Annex III of the European Cosmetic Regulation, respectively.

September 13, 2021

50th Amendment to the IFRA Code of Practice

On June 30, IFRA announced the notification of the 50th Amendment to the IFRA Standards. The Standards form the basis for the globally accepted and recognized risk management system for the safe use of fragrance ingredients and are part of the IFRA Code of Practice. The amendment introduced one update to the Standards and one new prohibited substance – Mintlacton.

September 10, 2021

Fullerenes and Hydroxylated Fullerenes

Fullerenes and Hydroxylated Fullerenes have shown interesting biological activity and have been gaining interest from several fields, including the cosmetic industry. These substances are not regulated under the Cosmetic Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009. However, there are concerns of potential absorption of nanoparticles with their use in cosmetic products. As such, the SCCS is mandated by the European Commission to assess the safety of Fullerenes and Hydroxylated Fullerenes until the end of 2021.

September 9, 2021

New Packaging Material and Labelling Requirements in South Korea

Korean cosmetic products are among the most popular products in the beauty industry, representing one of the leading global markets for cosmetic products. With consumers’ increased concern with the environment and demand for recycled and recyclable materials, South Korea is adapting its regulations to become more ‘eco-friendly’ and empower brands and consumers alike using innovative waste management processes.

September 8, 2021

Regulatory Framework for Cosmetic Products in South Korea

South Korean cosmetic products are among the most popular products in the beauty industry. But how are these products regulated? Safety is one of the major goals of South Korean cosmetics regulations and the country has been aligning its regulations with the European Union.

September 7, 2021

Cosmetic Claims in the European Union

Claims are an important part of a cosmetic and represent a powerful and essential tool of marketing. It is important to know which claims are allowed in cosmetic products in the European Union and how they must be properly substantiated.

September 1, 2021

Cosmetic Products Regulation in Taiwan

The Cosmetic Hygiene and Safety Act was enacted in Taiwan in 2019. Several dates were set and since July 2021 three new requirements have been enacted. General cosmetics notification is now mandatory and there are new requirements regarding the cosmetic products’ labelling.

August 18, 2021

Benzene Contamination in Sunscreen Products in the US

Benzene is a chemical that is widely used in some industries. However, benzene is a known human carcinogen and therefore its use or trace presence in cosmetics and personal care products is not allowed. In the U.S., a recent report has identified 78 sun care products contaminated with benzene, requiring their recall by the FDA in order to protect consumers.

August 17, 2021

Nanotechnology in Cosmetics

Nanotechnology is a growing business worldwide. Nanomaterials are increasingly used in cosmetics and personal care products. Nanomaterials are similar to other chemicals/substances, but there are risks associated to specific nanomaterials and their use. In the EU, cosmetic products containing nanomaterials may have to be notified by the Responsible Person six months before being placed on the market.

August 12, 2021

Panthenol Properties and Uses

Panthenol is used in cosmetics and other consumer products such as pharmaceuticals and biocides. Its wide variety of applications is explained by its properties, most notably the ability to attract and hold moisture and the capacity to enhance skin repair.

August 11, 2021

Microbiological Testing of Vegan and Natural Cosmetic Products

Innovation on cosmetics and the higher demand for natural and vegan products may represent a risk, particularly when it comes to cosmetics microbiological contamination or the induction of sensitization. he microbiological testing and control constitutes a major part of quality control of a cosmetic product. It is essential to ensure the product’s safety during normal and foreseeable conditions of use and its shelf life.

August 10, 2021

Quasi-Drugs in Japan

In Japan, cosmetic products are regulated by the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act, which stipulates compliance requirements and defines two categories of products: cosmetics and quasi-drugs. Quasi-drugs are in between pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, having officially recognized active ingredients. At the end of 2020, the MHLW proposed amendments for the marketing approval standards of medicated oral-care products, hair dyes and permanent wave agents, which were approved and just became effective. The GMP Ministerial Ordinance and the new JSQI were also approved by the MHLW in 2021.

August 4, 2021

Sustainable Cosmetic Products

Consumers are increasingly looking for transparency and authenticity in cosmetic products brands. Choosing sustainable ingredients, environmentally friendly packaging and truthful labelling claims are important steps to achieve the “sustainable brand” status. Three essential pillars should be considered in this process: environmental protection, corporate social responsibility and ethical governance.

August 2, 2021

In-Market Control of Sun Care Products in Spain

Sun care products play an important role in our daily life, protecting us from the UV rays and their consequences. As a cosmetic product, sunscreens must be safe for humans and need to have the SPF factor they claim. In December 2019, the Spanish AEMPS started a campaign with the aim of guaranteeing that the claimed FPS of sunscreens available in the market are indeed correct and in accordance with testing results.

July 28, 2021

FDA updates on hand sanitizers safety for use

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that it is providing a new laboratory testing method to assess the quality of finished hand sanitizers. Moreover, the FDA has issued a new press release on August 27th 2020, where it warns consumers about hand sanitizers packaged in food and drink containers. Earlier this month, the FDA expanded hand sanitizer warnings to include 1-propanol contamination.

August 31, 2020

Hand sanitizers contaminated with methanol

The new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has led to an increasing demand of hand sanitizers. Nevertheless, not all hand sanitizers made available in the market are safe. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a public warning to consumers and health care providers for possible contamination of hand sanitizers with methanol. The FDA advises the public not to use such hand sanitizers, because methanol is a dangerous and toxic substance.

July 29, 2020

Dexamethasone reduces death by up to one third in hospitalised patients with severe respiratory complications of COVID-19

In March 2020, the RECOVERY (Randomised Evaluation of COVid-19 thERapY) trial was established as a randomised clinical trial to test a range of potential treatments for COVID-19, including low-dose dexamethasone (a steroid treatment).

June 17, 2020

Airborne transmission is the dominant route for the spread of COVID-19

Transmission pathways of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were studied by analyzing the trend and mitigation measures in the three epicenters. Results show that the airborne transmission route is highly virulent and dominant for the spread of COVID-19. The difference with and without mandated face covering represents the determinant in shaping the trends of the pandemic. Mitigation measures, such as social distancing implemented in the United States, are insufficient by themselves in protecting the public.

June 12, 2020

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