Harmless cosmetics

The Industrial Association for Personal Hygiene and Washing Powder (IKW) rule out the possiblity of transmission of BSE through cosmetics, due to current knowledge. Why? Because for years all precautions have been met during manufacturing of cosmetics.

Another important point is, that cosmetics are used externally and the skins natural barrier function has the ability to effectively prevent the infiltration of larger molecules. The cosmetic manufacturers are commited to offering consumers safe and endurable cosmetics because of the principles of "good manufacturing practice".
Years ago when the first reports about the risk of BSE surfaced from England, adequate safety measures were taken.

At the beginning of the 90s the IKW and its member companys recommended to use the same preventive measures used for the manufacturing of medicines. Throughout the European Union the use of body parts like brains and bone marrow and manufactured goods from these, that could possibly transmit BSE are prohibited in cosmetics. Substances of animal origin like sebum derivatives, that are used in cosmetics, must be under scrutiny for deactivation methods, that eliminate the risk of BSE transmission. Only after all standards have been met for raw materials of animal origin, is the use of these substances allowed in cosmetics. For instance like gelatin that is used in cosmetics, has the same strict safety standards as when used for manufacturing medicines.