Short answer
Good manufacturing practice (GMP) for cosmetics is a set of controls that make each batch consistently what it should be: suitable premises and equipment, controlled materials, written procedures, recorded production, quality checks before release, handling of deviations and complaints, and documentation of all of it. ISO 22716 is the international guideline for cosmetic GMP; in the EU, products made according to it are presumed to meet the Cosmetics Regulation's GMP requirement, Great Britain's guidance refers to it, and the US MoCRA requires FDA to set GMP regulations for cosmetics. A small perfume maker can apply its principles in proportion to the size of the operation.
What ISO 22716 covers
ISO 22716 gives guidelines for the production, control, storage and shipment of cosmetic products. It addresses product quality, not the safety of workers or environmental protection, and it does not apply to research and development or to distribution of finished products. Its main areas, in plain terms:
| Area | In a small perfume operation |
|---|---|
| Personnel | Defined responsibilities; training in the procedures you follow; hygiene |
| Premises | A clean, organized area for production, separate from storage and from domestic use; pest control |
| Equipment | Suitable, clean, maintained; balances checked and calibrated |
| Raw materials and packaging | Approved suppliers; checks on receipt; identified and stored properly; quarantine until approved |
| Production | Written formula and process; batch records with actual weights and lots; labeling controls |
| Finished products | Checks against a specification before release; retained samples; storage |
| Quality control | Defined tests and acceptance criteria; records of results |
| Out-of-specification results | Investigation and a recorded decision |
| Waste | Handled to avoid contamination and comply with local rules |
| Subcontracting | Written agreements setting out who does what |
| Deviations | Recorded, justified, and approved |
| Complaints and recalls | Recorded, investigated, traceable to batches |
| Change control | Changes to formulas, materials or processes assessed and approved before use |
| Internal audit | Periodic self-check that the system works |
| Documentation | Procedures, specifications, records — controlled and kept |
How it connects to records you may already keep
- Raw-material receipt: checking raw materials when they arrive.
- Batch records: how to structure a perfume batch record.
- Batch codes and traceability: perfume batch numbers and lot codes.
- Release against a specification: writing a finished fragrance specification.
- Change control: perfume formula version control.
- Avoiding contamination: preventing cross-contamination.
Much of GMP is these records, kept consistently, plus written procedures that say how the work is done.
Where GMP is required
- EU: Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Article 8, requires manufacture according to GMP and presumes compliance where the relevant harmonized standard — EN ISO 22716 — is followed. See selling perfume in the EU.
- Great Britain: GOV.UK guidance on making cosmetics available refers to ISO 22716; see selling perfume in the UK.
- United States: MoCRA requires FDA to establish GMP regulations for cosmetic facilities, with exemptions for certain small businesses. Check FDA for the current status; see MoCRA requirements for fragrance brands.
Starting small
- Write down how you actually make a batch, step by step, and follow it.
- Use a batch record for every batch, with actual weights, lots, dates and checks.
- Check incoming materials and keep their documents.
- Release batches only after checking them against a written specification and a reference sample.
- Keep retained samples and a complaints log.
- Review the system once a year, and fix what does not work.
Certification against ISO 22716 is available from certification bodies, but it is not the same as compliance; what regulators look for is that the practices are in place and documented. Where GMP fits among the other market rules is set out in perfume regulations by market.
Sources
- International Organization for Standardization — ISO 22716:2007, Cosmetics — Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) — Guidelines on Good Manufacturing Practices, checked October 9, 2026 (catalogue entry; scope as summarized by national standards bodies).
- EUR-Lex — Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Article 8, checked October 9, 2026.
- GOV.UK — Making cosmetic products available to consumers in Great Britain, checked October 9, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Can I follow GMP in a home workshop?
The principles can be applied at any scale, but GMP expects production areas to be suitable and controlled; mixing production with domestic use makes that hard. Some markets have additional local rules on premises.
Does my contract manufacturer's GMP cover me?
It covers what they do. You remain responsible for choosing a competent manufacturer, for the specification and for anything you do yourself. See how to choose a perfume contract manufacturer.
Written and reviewed by the RUŌOD Lab team. This article is general education about perfume formulation and record-keeping; it is not legal, regulatory or safety advice, and the examples are illustrations, not validated commercial formulas. How we write and check these guides.