ISO 22716 Cosmetics GMP Certification
ISO 22716 cosmetics GMP certification UAE and KSA. Good manufacturing practice covering personnel, premises, production and batch traceability.
ISO 22716 cosmetics GMP certification in the UAE and Saudi Arabia (KSA) — good manufacturing practice for cosmetic products covering personnel, premises, production, batch traceability and finished product control, audited on a three-year cycle by an accredited body.
ISO 22716 sets out good manufacturing practice for cosmetic products — how they are produced, controlled, stored and shipped so that what leaves the factory is consistently what was specified. It addresses the risks that final-product testing cannot catch, because testing a sample tells you about the sample, not about the batch it came from.
Why it matters commercially
ISO 22716 is the GMP standard referenced by EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009, which means any manufacturer exporting cosmetics to Europe is expected to work to it. In the UAE it supports product registration requirements and is increasingly written into contracts by retailers, distributors and private-label clients who need assurance that a contract manufacturer operates to a recognised standard. For manufacturers exporting to Saudi Arabia (KSA), it supports SASO registration and is frequently required by Saudi distributors and retailers. For a contract manufacturer, certification is often the qualifying condition for being quoted at all.
What the standard covers
- PersonnelOrganisational structure, defined responsibilities, training, and hygiene requirements for anyone entering production or storage areas.
- PremisesLayout and flow that separate incompatible operations, surfaces that can be cleaned, controlled access, pest control, and adequate lighting and ventilation.
- EquipmentDesign suited to the product, cleaning and sanitisation procedures, planned maintenance, and calibration of measuring equipment.
- Raw materials and packagingSupplier approval, purchase specifications, acceptance criteria, quarantine and release, and controlled storage.
- ProductionManufacturing and packaging instructions, in-process checks, line clearance between products, batch identification and yield reconciliation.
- Finished productsRelease criteria, retained samples, storage conditions, shipment control, and the ability to return product from the market.
- Laboratory controlTest methods, sampling, out-of-specification handling and retention of results.
- Deviations and complaintsHandling out-of-specification product, investigating deviations, managing complaints and executing recalls.
- Waste and subcontractingDisposal routes for rejected material, and control of any operation carried out by a third party on your behalf.
- DocumentationWritten procedures for every process affecting product quality, with records demonstrating those procedures were followed for every batch.
Batch traceability
The requirement that most often exposes gaps is traceability. For any batch on the market, you should be able to identify which raw material lots went into it, which equipment and personnel were involved, what in-process checks were recorded, and where the finished units were shipped. If a recall becomes necessary, that chain determines whether you withdraw one batch or everything you have sold. Auditors test it by picking a batch at random and following it in both directions.
The certification process
Stage 1 reviews your documented system, confirms the scope of products and processes covered, and identifies gaps before the main audit. Stage 2 assesses implementation on site: production and packaging areas, storage conditions, batch records, cleaning logs, training records and traceability in practice. The certificate is valid three years with annual surveillance and recertification before expiry.
Who certifies
- Cosmetic and personal care manufacturers
- Contract and private-label manufacturers
- Perfume and fragrance producers
- Skincare, haircare and colour cosmetics producers
- Fillers, packers and repackers
- Manufacturers exporting to the EU, UAE or Saudi Arabia (KSA)
Benefits
- Independent evidence of manufacturing control for retailers, distributors and brand owners
- Supports export to markets referencing EU cosmetics regulation, UAE MoIAT and Saudi SASO requirements
- Fewer batch rejections and less rework, since problems are caught in process rather than at final testing
- Faster, narrower recalls when traceability is working
- A documented basis for defending product quality if a complaint escalates
Our role and its limits
ITMAD is an accredited certification body. Under ISO/IEC 17021-1 we cannot design or implement the system we certify, and we do not. We provide the audit and the certification decision, with optional pre-assessment that identifies gaps without prescribing how to close them.
What you receive
- Stage 1 report identifying readiness gaps before the main audit
- Stage 2 audit report with findings supported by objective evidence
- Non-conformities classified by severity with defined response timescales
- Certificate of registration stating your certified scope and products
- Certification mark for use under our mark and seal policy
- Annual surveillance audits and reports through the three-year cycle