Clariant goes extra mile for the cosmetics sector with GMP (ISO 22716) accreditation

Muttenz, December 7, 2011 - Clariant has gone the extra mile for its cosmetics’ industry customers with the achievement of global ISO 22716 Cosmetics Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification for its global management system. The accomplishment reinforces Clariant’s commitment to be a leading partner for the personal care industry, guaranteeing globally-consistent products and processes to support more efficient product development by customers.

Clariant, the specialty chemicals expert is among the front-runners of ingredients’ suppliers to possess the worldwide standard, primarily held by cosmetics’ producers. Awarded by Bureau Veritas, ISO 22716 ensures deliverance of highest quality products by the cosmetics sector. It is regarded as the reference standard in cosmetics.

Clariant’s accreditation follows a 10-month-long process, involving several hundred employees, to initiate the Cosmetics GMP across its business. The standardization of production, quality control, warehouse and logistic procedures assures worldwide consistent processes, product quality and availability, and services to Clariant’s customers at a local level.

Customers will benefit from a more transparent relationship to support their global production and reduce the complexity and costs of future product development.

By attaining ISO 22716, Clariant’s processes also fulfill European guidelines for cosmetics production.

Currently four of Clariant’s cosmetics ingredients production sites are endorsed within the certification – Gendorf (Germany); Mount Holly West in North Carolina (USA); Suzano (Brazil); and Zhenjiang (PR China). Clariant will be actively pursuing official approval for the remainder of its plants serving the personal care sector during 2012 and 2013.

“We are proud to have achieved the global Cosmetics GMP certification; a further milestone in our strategy for the Personal Care segment,” comments Ralf Zerrer, Head of Strategic Marketing of Clariant’s Business Unit Industrial and Consumer Specialties.

“However, it is more than just an indication of process quality. With this certification we become a stronger link in our customers’ value chain. They can rely on Clariant to offer the transparency and consistency they need to increase their speed to market for existing and new cosmetics formulations.”

Clariant Excellence is the company-wide initiative targeting a culture of continuous improvement. Its goal is to sustainably position Clariant at the top levels of performance. The global Cosmetics GMP certification reinforces the company’s strong commitment to the highest standards and will further strengthen its leading position as a superior quality provider.

“Our portfolio of cosmetics ingredients embraces the sector’s efficiency, environmental and safety challenges and our formulation expertise can add real value to the creation of exciting and sustainable innovations for the consumer market,” adds Mauro Bergamasco, Head of Global Marketing Business Unit Industrial and Consumer Specialties.

Implementing a system to guarantee globally-harmonized products and processes for the personal care industry is a key element within the strategic repositioning of Clariant’s Personal Care Business. As part of this repositioning, Clariant has entered into bolt-on acquisitions and partnerships with leading industry players such as KitoZyme and Oberhausen Technology Center. Clariant will continue to look into similar opportunities to further enhance its capabilities and to transform new sustainable and innovative technologies into cost-efficient consumer products.