6. Regulatory constraints

In all formulations, a number of products are used, some of which, despite their properties, may be excluded from use by standards that vary from country to country. It is therefore important for anyone involved in formulation to be familiar with the regulations. One of the best-known examples concerns parabens, which were used in cosmetics to prevent bacterial growth (preservatives) and have been banned in the European Community. It was therefore necessary to change the formulations, moving towards equivalent compounds of chemical origin or, for "green cosmetics," towards natural products. This brings us into the realm of standards and regulations.