Evaluation of Regulatory Requirements Relating to Quality Control of Skin-Lightening Cosmetic Products in Côte D'ivoire

In many countries around the world, in Africa and specially in Côte d'Ivoire, many women and sometimes men use cosmetic products containing skin-lightening active ingredients. These substances are toxic and cause several public health problems. Their presence in cosmetics is restricted, or even prohibited. Furthermore, regulatory changes set maximum concentrations for certain substances, requiring quantification in various cosmetic products. Our work aims to assess current technical specifications regulations compliance with skin-lightening cosmetic products quality control in Côte d'Ivoire. To carry out this study, we identified the characteristic elements of these specifications as described at national level. Next, we collected and analyzed the national, West African, and international regulations applicable to cosmetic products in Côte d'Ivoire. It appears that specifications established, by organization named "Côte d'Ivoire - Standardization", for skin-lightening cosmetic products were compliant with Ivorian Presidential Decree No. 2015-288 of April 29, 2015. The same specifications were also found in Council Decision No. 07/2010/CM/UEMOA on West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) cosmetic products registration. This Decision includes references to European Union (EU) regulations relevant annexes regarding prohibited or restricted substances lists, with which common specifications have been identified. While the national specifications comply with international standards, they must be supplemented and fully implemented for a strict analysis of skin-lightening cosmetics in Côte d'Ivoire. Keywords: Regulation, cosmetics, skin-lightening preparations, specifications, Côte d’Ivoire