Children, the environment and cancer

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Specific environmental contaminants - VII

Mandatory labelling of cosmetics

Policies and regulations should be issued that requires all cosmetics sold in Sudan to be labelled with a list of ingredients in descending order of content, similar to food ingredient labels.

Under these regulations, a cosmetic could be defined as a product which cleanses, improves or alters the complexion, skin, hair or teeth.

These regulations should support customers’ right to know what ingredients are in the products they use.

Mandatory labelling of cosmetics is a good first step, though an accurate list of ingredients allowed for use in cosmetics should be made publicly available. As well, cosmetics containing known cancer-causing substances should be clearly labelled with a warning.

Manufacturers and suppliers of cosmetics sold in Sudan are responsible for ensuring their products are safe and comply with regulations. They must also submit a “Cosmetic Notification Form” to Health Authority. This is not considered a product evaluation or agreement of compliance. However, Health Authority can use these notifications to identify products not in compliance, or that are no longer in compliance following a change in regulations.

Health Authority should publish a “hotlist” of substances banned or restricted in Sudanese cosmetics. Substances on the hotlist have be reviewed by Health Authority , though not all substances used in cosmetics have been reviewed by Health Authority. There is no complete list of permitted ingredients for Sudanese cosmetics.

Some substances on the hotlist:

* are banned outright
* are allowed only if they are below certain levels, for example, alpha-hydroxy acids

Health Authority should advise individuals with allergies or sensitivities to certain substances to ask their health care professional to identify its INCI name so that they may avoid cosmetics containing those substances.

Certain cosmetics must be labelled with avoidable hazards and cautions if they contain particular ingredients, for example mercury, or if they are in pressurized metal containers. Though this regulation states that cosmetics with avoidable hazards must be labelled with caution and directions for safe use, it does not specifically address cancer-causing or otherwise toxic substances.

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