Australian Cosmetic Regulations and Standards

"The cosmetics or beauty products industry is one sector which remains impervious to the ups and downs [of] markets." - Mordor Intelligence

Though this could describe the cosmetics industry in general, this particular piece of analysis refers to Australia's growing and changing market. In 2018, the size of the Australian cosmetics market was US $5.9 billion and is expected to approach US $8 billion by 2023. - Global Data

Regardless of how strong or slow the country's economy is at any given moment, cosmetics - particularly skin care products - will always be an important part of Australian life; and now, more budget-friendly cosmetics manufacturers are able to reach a larger swathe of the Australian population, primarily through internet marketing.

However, Australia still depends heavily on imported cosmetics from foreign countries - about 70% of its cosmetics and personal care products come from abroad, and about 22%, from the United States.

Demand Trends

Australia, like the rest of the world, is waking up to the idea that "natural", "organic", "eco-friendly", and even "artisanal" labels are not just buzzwords used by companies to markup the price and feel good afterward. On the contrary, these are part of the new global buying ethos, which seeks to align purchasing power with personal beliefs.

There is also a growing demand for “ethnic” products, where the production and marketing model is more DIY and has a stronger appeal to a younger generation, which is less loyal to the giant brands of the past.

Masstige - the New Prestige

Social media has been a giant force in introducing masstige cosmetics to the mainstream. They have not only caught on in popularity but actually taken over as a sensible alternative to luxury - and luxury-priced - brands, as well as to the less effective drugstore brands. The numbers, as seen in this infographic, clearly reflect the appeal of masstige cosmetics to every class.

Making the Australian Cosmetics Market

Australia's regulation model requires less preliminary registration work compared to such markets as Canada and the EU. For instance, before marketing your product, you are not required to submit it to a government agency for safety testing.

However, a set of requirements still applies, and it is important to have a clear understanding of what's required of your manufacturing or importing company before you market your product. For example:

• Make sure your product is clearly classified as "Cosmetics" and not "Therapeutic Goods", which fall under separate regulations.
• Make sure the chemical ingredients you intend to use are legal in Australia, by consulting the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS), an agency that assesses all potential product chemicals for harmful properties. They maintain the Australian Inventory of Chemical Substances (AICS).
• If you are importing industrial chemicals, bases, or finished cosmetics into the country for the purpose of creating new cosmetics, you must register your business with NICNAS.
• If your intended chemical is not already listed in the AICS, you must contact NICNAS before you market.
• For guidance on proper labeling, consult Cosmetics Standard 2007.

QIMA: Competence + Information = Market Assurance

Before starting up the belt on your product, protect your brand from regulatory violations and consumer health and safety issues by contacting a certified testing lab and Inspection Service. Your chosen provider must meet the following criteria:

• Fully versed in all national and international standards
• Knowledgeable about trends and changes in this fast-changing industry
• Featuring top-tier lab expertise and global coverage.

At QIMA, we meet all of these requirements, and more! Additionally, through our quality assurance program, we can assist you during your product development process by giving your plans the framework you need to meet market regulations and, just as importantly, yours and your customers' standards.

Once a product development plan is implemented, we can assist you straight from the factory floor with product inspections to make sure your specifications are being followed to the letter.

The Australian market is ready for your innovative cosmetics and your commitment to quality ingredients and manufacturing. Let us help you enter that market with confidence and become the new favorite among its consumers!

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