Overview
EN ISO 22716:2007 (ISO 22716:2007, corrected 2008-05-15) - "Cosmetics - Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) - Guidelines on Good Manufacturing Practices" - provides practical, product-focused guidance for the cosmetic industry. The standard addresses the production, control, storage and shipment of cosmetic products, concentrating on product quality assurance throughout the manufacturing flow. Note: ISO 22716 covers quality aspects only; it does not address worker safety or environmental protection, and it is not applicable to research & development activities or to the distribution of finished products.
Key Topics and Requirements
ISO 22716 organizes GMP guidance around the product flow (receipt → production → shipment) and adds a clear principle for each major section. Key technical topics include:
- Personnel - training, responsibilities and hygiene relevant to product quality
- Premises and equipment - design, maintenance and cleaning to prevent contamination
- Raw materials and packaging materials - receipt, identification and storage controls
- Production and in‑process controls - manufacturing operations, batch control and traceability
- Finished products - labelling, release criteria and storage prior to shipment
- Quality control laboratory - sampling, testing and acceptance criteria
- Handling non‑conforming product - out‑of‑specification (OOS) results, reprocessing and returns
- Supporting processes - waste management, subcontracting, deviations, complaints, recalls, change control and internal audit
- Documentation and records - essential for traceability, batch numbering and audit readiness
Documentation is emphasized as an integral part of GMP: procedures, batch records, specifications and audit records are required to demonstrate compliance.
Practical Applications
ISO 22716 is used to establish or improve a cosmetic quality management system focused on manufacturing practices and product quality. Typical applications:
- Building site-level GMP procedures and batch documentation
- Defining training programs for production and QC personnel
- Preparing for internal and external audits or regulatory inspections
- Implementing batch traceability, change control and recall processes
- Managing subcontracted manufacturing or packaging activities
Who Should Use This Standard
- Cosmetic manufacturers and contract manufacturers
- Quality assurance and regulatory affairs professionals in cosmetics
- Production and QC managers, auditors and consultants
- Suppliers of raw materials and primary packaging seeking alignment with cosmetic GMP expectations
Related Standards
ISO 22716 was developed by ISO/TC 217 (Cosmetics) and is adopted as a CEN standard (EN ISO 22716). It complements broader quality management frameworks and national cosmetic regulations by providing sector‑specific GMP guidance.
Keywords: ISO 22716, EN ISO 22716:2007, cosmetics GMP, cosmetic good manufacturing practices, cosmetic quality assurance.