Unilever and ITC delay release of nano technology-based personal care products over concerns stemming from India's lack of regulatory standards in cosmetic, personal care products
Allison Oesterle
LOS ANGELES
,
December 9, 2011
(Industry Intelligence)
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Hindustan Unilever Ltd. and ITC Ltd. have delayed the release of their nano technology-based personal care products over concerns stemming from India’s lack of regulatory standards for nano technology in cosmetic and personal care products, the Financial Chronicle reported on Dec. 8.
Dr Vilas P Sinkar, a vice president of Unilever’s research and development department, said, “Use of nano particles in cosmetics and personal care products involves safety issues. There are multiple usages of nano technology. But cosmetics and personal care are used on body parts.”
He continued, “We are a potential user of nano technology. We are monitoring the development of nano technology closely. There are no regulatory norms guiding usage of nano materials in such products. Usage of nano particles in electronic goods is different as they don’t come much in contact with body parts. But again there are disposal issues for electronic goods.”
Dr. V. Krishnan, a chief scientist with ITC’s personal care research and development team, said, “No company would want to take risk by launching products using nano technology when there is no such regulation. We are a potential user of nano particles in future. But the government should come out with regulation soon. Nano technology is developing and is being widely used across industries. So a proper regulation is a must. Talks are on between the industry and the government to chalk out the norms. The technology is in use in the pharma industry in areas like drug delivery system under monitoring by the Drugs Controller of India. But when it comes to usage of nano material in cosmetics and personal care, there is none.”
The primary source of this article is on Financial Chronicle, Hyderabad, India, on Dec. 8, 2011.
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