Currently, the cosmetic control in Thailand has been implemented by the Cosmetic Act B.E. 2535 (1992). The cosmetic regulation consists of various activities in two major areas: pre-marketing and post-marketing activities. Any products having pharmaceutical characteristics such as those affecting or altering the functions or structure of human body or presenting as pharmaceutical products will be outside the scope of cosmetic regulation. According to the Cosmetic Act of B.E. 2535 (1992), the focus of regulation has been recently shifted from pre-marketing activities to post-marketing activities. This effort originated on the notion that the utilization of technical requirements and the practice of good manufacturing guidelines can ensure the quality of cosmetic products manufactured.

The Cosmetic Committee

By the section 10 of Cosmetic Act B.E. 2535 (1992), the Cosmetic Committee is responsible for providing the suggestions or recommendations to the Minister of Public Health on matters pertaining to cosmetics. The Committee is also responsible for providing advice or opinions on registration and revocation of registration of specially controlled cosmetics as well as all other issues concerning cosmetic regulations.

The Listings of Cosmetic Ingredients

Ingredients are the key to cosmetic safety control. Hence, ingredients are revised, studied and considered before being approved by the Cosmetic Committee. The maximum allowable concentration of each ingredient is designated and issued as a Ministerial Notification. There are five listings of cosmetic ingredients designated, namely prohibited substances, specially controlled substances, controlled substances, colorants and preservatives. Prohibited substances are the ingredients that must not form as part of cosmetic products except under the conditions laid down. Any products found to contain prohibited substances will be banned and confiscated. Consequently, the person responsible for placing such products on the market will be charged with distribution of hazardous products. Specially controlled substances are the ingredients that may cause a seriously harmful effect to human health if the used concentrations exceed the maximum allowable levels and the products are used carelessly or inappropriately other than indicated. Controlled substances are the ingredients that may cause harmful effects if the used concentrations exceed the maximum allowable levels. The instructions for use of specially controlled ingredients or controlled ingredients will indicate the type of pre-marketing approvals for which the products are applied as described in pre-marketing activities.

Pre-marketing Control

There are six areas of pre-marketing activities; technical requirements, pre-marketing requirements, notification, registration, labelling requirements Read more

Post-marketing Control

There are five areas of post-marketing activities; inspection, market surveillance, advertisement inspection, adverse product reaction surveillance, development and strenghtening of manufacturing process. Read more