Corrections Regarding NPA Standards: Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor
July 14, 2014
Response to "Challenges in Creating NPA- and WFM-compliant Natural Formulations," from the July/August 2014 issue of Cosmetics & Toiletries.

After reading this article, I found inaccuracies in some of the statements regarding the Natural Products Association (NPA) Natural Standard.

First, it states that NPA does not allow phenoxyethanol. However, phenoxyethanol has always been permitted as an Allowed Synthetic. Allowed Synthetics are permitted up to 5%, excluding water from the calculation.

Another error I located was the statement that sodium coco-sulfate in rinse-off products is allowed under the NPA Standard. Sodium coco-sulfate is only allowed in the Home Care Standard and is prohibited in the Personal Care Standard.

I wanted to bring these errors to your attention, as these statements can mislead companies that want to obtain certification or use the NPA Natural Standard as a guideline for formulating a natural product.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Corey Hilmas, MD, PhD
Senior Vice President of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs
Natural Products Association

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