NSF/ANSI 455-3: Cosmetics GMP Certification

The cosmetic industry developed the NSF/ANSI 455 Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) audit standard for cosmetics with U.S. FDA Guidance for Industry and ISO 22716:2007.

NSF provides audits and certification for cosmetics and personal care products under the NSF/ANSI 455-3 Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standard. GMPs are guidelines that provide a system of processes, procedures and documentation; the GMP requirements listed in the NSF/ANSI 455-3 standard are set by the global cosmetic industry. NSF facilitated the development of the standard to expand its global public health mission to include safer personal care items for consumers.

Once certified, brands will receive an NSF certificate with the globally accepted ANSI logo, use the NSF/ANSI 455 GMP certification mark according to policy and appear on the NSF Product and Services Listings for Cosmetic GMPs. Certified clients will also have access to a dedicated 455 GMP certification co-marketing portal that contains certification marks and assets to help promote their certification.

The benefits of NSF/ANSI 455-3 GMP certification include:

• Provides risk-based audits to U.S. FDA Guidance for Industry and ISO 22716:2007
• Prepares a facility for FDA inspections
• Allows a facility to benchmark its quality systems
• Helps facilities to build a robust quality and GMP program
• Serves as a communication tool between manufacturers of cosmetics, regulators, retailers and consumers
• Displays the ANSI logo on certificates for global acceptance

NSF has developed resources to simplify your certification process to help you understand this new international GMP standard. Whether you are currently certified or are looking to certify, we have the tools to help you prepare for your next certification audit, including:

• Audit templates
• NSF/ANSI 455-3 certification policies
• NSF/ANSI 455-3 GMP standard for cosmetics
• NSF/ANSI 455-3 audit requirements guideline (ARG) for cosmetics
• Webinars
• Information guides
• Regulatory resources

If you are a current NSF client, please check the Announcements section of your NSF Connect portal for additional tools.

Roadmap to Certification: We’ve broken down each section of the standard to make NSF/ANSI 455-3 certification more straightforward and provide background information about the standard.

FAQ: Our team of experts has answered a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) for your convenience.

NSF/ANSI 455 Process Overview: Offers a clear overview of becoming 455-3 certified.

Information Guide: Contains key items from the new 455-3 standard and information on preparing for upcoming audits.

Please check back periodically for additional tools to help you throughout the migration process.