ISO 22716:2007 Cosmetics GMP Certification in Dubai & UAE

Cosmetics and personal care brands in the UAE sell to demanding consumers and operate under tight regulatory oversight. Manufacturers, contract fillers and private label brands must show that products are made in clean, controlled conditions and that every batch can be traced. ISO 22716 is the international standard for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in cosmetics. BRSM Global helps cosmetics manufacturers and packers in Dubai and across the UAE implement ISO 22716 and prepare for independent certification.

Edition status (checked October 2026): ISO 22716:2007 is the current and only published edition (confirmed by ISO in 2022). No revision is under way.

What is ISO 22716 Cosmetics GMP Certification?

ISO 22716:2007 gives guidelines for the production, control, storage and shipment of cosmetic products. It covers the quality aspects of the product, but not the safety aspects for workers or environmental protection, which are the responsibility of the company. It is intended to ensure that cosmetic products are consistently manufactured, controlled, stored and shipped according to appropriate quality standards.

The standard is written as guidance and is applied as a GMP system. Its sections cover personnel, premises, equipment, raw materials and packaging materials, production, finished products, quality control laboratory, treatment of out-of-specification results, wastes, subcontracting, deviations, complaints and recalls, change control, internal audits and documentation. Certification means an independent body has audited your site against ISO 22716 for a defined scope. It is related to, but different from, a general quality system such as ISO 9001 QMS Certification. Many manufacturers hold both, and some also pursue Halal Certification Readiness Support where halal cosmetics are requested.

Benefits of ISO 22716 for UAE Businesses

Regulatory acceptance

Cosmetics registration processes in the UAE expect evidence of GMP, and ISO 22716 certification is a recognised way to provide it.

Consistent product quality

Controlled raw materials, equipment, batch records and quality control reduce variation and rejects.

Traceability and faster recalls

Batch records and labelling control allow you to trace materials and finished goods quickly if a problem occurs.

Buyer and retailer confidence

Brand owners and distributors prefer contract manufacturers that can show certified GMP.

Fewer contamination and complaint issues

Hygiene, cleaning and environmental controls reduce microbiological and cross-contamination risks.

ISO 22716 Requirements

The standard requires you to demonstrate:

Personnel: defined organisation, qualified and trained staff, hygiene rules and health requirements.
Premises: suitable design, layout, separation of areas, cleaning, pest control and waste management.
Equipment: suitable design, calibration, maintenance, cleaning and status identification.
Raw materials and packaging materials: approved suppliers, receipt, sampling, testing, storage and labelling.
Production: documented manufacturing instructions, line clearance, in-process controls, bulk product handling and packaging operations.
Finished products: release procedures, storage and shipment controls.
Quality control laboratory: specifications, test methods, sampling, reference samples and out-of-specification handling.
Quality system topics: deviations, complaints and recalls, change control, subcontracting, internal audits and documentation.

ISO 22716 Certification Process: How BRSM Global Gets You Certified

Our approach follows the four-stage process that BRSM Global applies to every management system project: guidance, implementation, auditing and post-certification. For ISO 22716 certification, that translates into the following eight practical steps.

Step 1: Free consultation and scope definition

We start with a conversation about your business, sites, activities and customers. We confirm whether ISO 22716 fits your goals, define the scope of certification and agree a realistic timeline.

Step 2: Gap analysis

Our consultants compare your current practices, documents and records with the requirements of ISO 22716. You receive a clear gap report with priorities, so effort goes where it matters.

Step 3: Planning and fixed quote

Based on the gap analysis we prepare a project plan with responsibilities and milestones and a fixed written quote, so you know the investment before work begins.

Step 4: Documentation and implementation

We help you develop the policies, procedures, registers and records the standard requires, in plain language and sized to your organisation, and we help your team put them into daily practice. This is the 'Guidance' and 'Implementation' stage of our process.

Step 5: Training and awareness

Management and staff are trained on their responsibilities under ISO 22716. Where relevant we also train internal auditors, who will later audit your system.

Step 6: Internal audit and management review

Once the system has been operating, we help you run an internal audit and a management review. These are mandatory and give you the chance to fix weaknesses before the external auditors arrive.

Step 7: Certification audit support

The independent certification audit is carried out in two stages. Stage 1 reviews documentation and readiness. Stage 2 verifies implementation on site through interviews, observation and records. We prepare your team and support you during the audit; this is the 'Auditing' stage of our process. Our guide to preparing for a Stage 1 and Stage 2 audit explains what auditors look for.

Step 8: Certificate issue and post-certification support

After any nonconformities are closed, the certificate is issued, normally for three years with annual surveillance audits. We stay with you after certification, advising on changes, standard updates and surveillance audit preparation, which is our 'Post-certification' stage.

Documents Required for ISO 22716

Common documented information includes:

Organisation chart, job descriptions and training records
Site layout, cleaning and sanitation procedures with records
Pest control and waste management records
Equipment list, calibration and maintenance records
Raw material and packaging specifications and supplier approvals
Batch manufacturing and packaging records
In-process and finished product specifications and test results
Deviation, out-of-specification, complaint and recall procedures with records
Change control and subcontractor control records
Internal audit and management review records

How Long Does ISO 22716 Take?

A typical ISO 22716 project takes about 3 to 6 months, depending on the condition of the facility, existing documentation and the number of product lines. Certification uses an audit of the site and its records, and the certificate is normally valid for three years with annual surveillance audits.

Who Needs ISO 22716?

This is relevant to a wide range of organisations, including:

Cosmetics, skincare, haircare and fragrance manufacturers
Contract manufacturers and private label fillers
Packaging and component suppliers to cosmetics makers
Personal care brands that outsource production and want to qualify manufacturers
Exporters of cosmetics products

ISO 22716 in Dubai and the UAE

Cosmetics in the UAE are subject to registration and conformity requirements. Dubai Municipality guidance for cosmetic and personal care products asks locally manufactured cosmetics for a valid ISO 22716 certificate from a certification body, and the national conformity scheme for cosmetics also expects GMP compliance. Imported products have their own requirements, such as free sale certificates. Rules and forms are updated from time to time, so check the current requirements for your product category and registration route before planning.

Dubai is a regional hub for beauty and personal care brands, with many contract manufacturers and distributors serving the Gulf and export markets. Our consultants help you design GMP practices that suit your size and product types. Alongside quality-system fundamentals described in ISO 9001 clauses explained, we focus on practical items such as hygiene, line clearance and batch records, and support you through audit as described in how to prepare for a Stage 1 and Stage 2 audit.

Why Choose BRSM Global in Dubai & UAE?

Choosing the right partner is as important as choosing the right standard. BRSM Global is an international inspection, training and certification group with a one-stop approach to ISO and related certifications, and our Dubai team is close to your business.

Local presence in Dubai and the UAE

Our UAE office is at Executive Towers, Tower 1, Office 1102, Business Bay, Dubai. We meet you on site, understand local practice and respond quickly. We also have offices in Riyadh (Al Olaya, Al Faisaliah Tower) and Muscat (Al Khuwair), which helps if your organisation operates across the Gulf.

Proven experience

BRSM Global has completed more than 5,000 projects for over 2,500 clients in more than 10 countries, working with 20+ associations. Our consultants combine hands-on industry experience with deep knowledge of the standards.

Practical systems, not paperwork

We design systems that fit your size and your sector, so your team actually uses them. Explore our Construction sector page and our other industry sectors to see where we work.

Complete one-stop service

From gap analysis and documentation to training, internal audit, certification audit support and ongoing advice, one team supports you at every stage. You can read more about our company on the About Us page or browse practical insights on our blog.

Transparent and independent

We give you a fixed written quote after the gap analysis, explain what is included, and keep consultancy separate from the independent certification audit so that your certificate retains its credibility. Before you commit to any certification body, we recommend you verify its accreditation status for your scope.

Frequently Asked Questions About ISO 22716

What is ISO 22716?

The international standard giving guidelines for good manufacturing practices for cosmetic products.

Is ISO 22716 mandatory in the UAE?

For locally manufactured cosmetics, Dubai Municipality guidance asks for a valid ISO 22716 certificate, so in practice it is required for that route. Check current rules for your product.

Does ISO 22716 cover product safety?

It covers quality aspects of manufacture, control, storage and shipment. Product safety assessment and registration are separate obligations.

Is it the same as ISO 9001?

No. ISO 22716 is a GMP standard specific to cosmetics, while ISO 9001 is a generic quality management standard. They are complementary.

How much does ISO 22716 certification cost in the UAE?

It depends on the size of the site, the number of lines and the scope. We quote after a scoping review.

Do contract manufacturers need it?

Yes, they usually need it more than anyone, because brand owners and regulators rely on the manufacturer's certified GMP.

Related Services

Many organisations combine standards in one integrated management system. You may also be interested in:

For practical background reading, see ISO 9001 clauses explained and how to prepare for a Stage 1 and Stage 2 audit.

Get Your ISO 22716 Certification with BRSM Global

Ready to start your ISO 22716 journey in Dubai or anywhere in the UAE? Tell us about your business and we will respond with a gap analysis plan and a fixed quote.