Safety, Quality, and Regulatory Control of Cosmetics Products in Nigeria – JSS1 Home Economics Lesson Note (Second Term)

Cosmetics in Nigeria are controlled by two regulatory bodies: the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

• SON: sets standards and checks that products meet them.
• NAFDAC: regulates the manufacture, importation, advertisement, sale and use of foods, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, bottled water and chemicals.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. State the full names of SON and NAFDAC.
2. List the functions of SON.
3. State the functions of NAFDAC.
4. Explain why a cosmetic product must be registered before it is sold in Nigeria.
5. List the information that should appear on the label of a safe cosmetic product.

What are cosmetic products?

Cosmetic products are substances applied to the body to clean it, protect it or improve its appearance.

• Skin products: body cream, body lotion, petroleum jelly and soap.
• Hair products: hair cream, relaxer, shampoo and hair dye.
• Face and lip products: face powder, lipstick and lip gloss.
• Nail products: nail polish and nail polish remover.
• Fragrance products: perfume, body spray and deodorant.

What do SON and NAFDAC stand for?

SON stands for Standards Organisation of Nigeria, and NAFDAC stands for National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

What are the functions of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON)?

SON is the body that sets and enforces standards for products in Nigeria. The Standards Organisation of Nigeria Act 1971 established it as part of the Federal Ministry of Industries.

SON carries out the following functions:

1. Set standards: it designates, establishes and approves standards for metrology (measurement), materials, commodities, structures and processes, so products can be certified across Nigeria.
2. Control quality: it provides measures for quality control of raw materials and products, in line with the standard specification.
3. Compile specifications: it compiles Nigerian standard specifications.
4. Ensure compliance: it makes sure products follow the designated standard.
5. Assure quality: it sets up a quality assurance system, including certification of factories, products and laboratories.
6. Develop test methods: it develops methods for testing materials, supplies and equipment bought for use by public and private establishments.
7. Provide standard samples: it prepares and distributes standard samples.
8. Maintain laboratories: it sets up and maintains the laboratories needed for its work.

What does NAFDAC do?

NAFDAC is the agency that regulates and controls foods, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, bottled water and chemicals in Nigeria. It was established in 1993.

NAFDAC controls the following activities:

• Importation: bringing products into Nigeria.
• Exportation: sending products out of Nigeria.
• Manufacturing: making products in factories.
• Advertisement: how products are promoted to the public.
• Distribution and sale: how products reach shops and buyers.
• Use: making sure products are safe when consumers use them.

No drug product, cosmetic or medical device may be manufactured, imported, exported, advertised, sold or distributed in Nigeria unless it has been registered under the provisions and regulations made under the 1993 Act.

What is the difference between SON and NAFDAC?

SON deals with standards and quality of products in general, while NAFDAC deals with the safety and registration of regulated products such as cosmetics.

Why must a cosmetic product be registered before it is sold?

A cosmetic product must be registered so that NAFDAC can confirm it is safe and of good quality before the public uses it.

• Protects health: registered products are checked, so they are less likely to harm the skin, hair or eyes.
• Keeps out fake products: unregistered and counterfeit products can be traced and removed from the market.
• Controls ingredients: harmful substances can be identified and kept out of products.
• Obeys the law: selling an unregistered cosmetic breaks the law.
• Builds buyers’ trust: buyers can rely on the NAFDAC number on the label.

What information should be on the label of a safe cosmetic?

A safe cosmetic carries clear information on its label so that the buyer can check it.

• Product name: what the product is.
• NAFDAC registration number: shows the product is registered.
• Manufacturer’s name and address: shows who made it.
• List of ingredients: shows what the product contains.
• Production date and expiry date: show when it was made and when to stop using it.
• Directions and warnings: show how to use it safely.

How can a buyer check that a cosmetic is safe?

A buyer can check a cosmetic by reading its label and package before buying.

1. Look for the NAFDAC registration number on the pack.
2. Check the production date and the expiry date.
3. Check that the package is sealed and not damaged.
4. Read the list of ingredients and the directions.
5. Buy from a trusted shop, not from a hawker with no records.
6. Stop using the product and report to NAFDAC if it causes a rash, burning or swelling.

What are the dangers of unregistered or expired cosmetics?

Unregistered or expired cosmetics can harm the body because nobody has checked their ingredients or quality.

• Skin rashes: itching, redness and swelling.
• Burns and sores: from strong or harmful chemicals.
• Infections: expired products may carry germs.
• Long-term damage: some harmful chemicals, such as mercury in skin-lightening creams, can damage the skin and body organs.

Evaluation

1. State five pieces of information that should be on the label of a cosmetic product.
2. Write out the full meaning of SON and NAFDAC.
3. State three functions of SON.
4. What must happen to a cosmetic product before it can be sold in Nigeria?
5. Give two dangers of using expired cosmetics.

Assignment

Look out for 10 different cosmetics. Check their NAFDAC numbers, production dates and expiry dates, and write them out.