Tool 2 · Word screen
Is a word on your pack on NPRA’s list?
NPRA publishes a list of product names it does not permit (Annex I part 2) and a table of claims it does not accept, with the accepted twin beside each (Annex I part 8). Paste yours below, in English or Malay. Flagged lines press in as you type. Nothing leaves this page.
On NPRA’s lists
- NameA disease or medical-condition word in the name.Names that contain the name of a disease or medical condition, or part of it, are not permitted. NPRA lists cancer, eczema, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, couperose, rash, alopecia, cradle cap, menopause, period pain/PMS, immune, circulation, varicose vein, inflammation, anti-inflammatory, allergy, sinus and fever, among others.Found: Annex I part 2
- NameA prohibited indication in the name.NPRA lists these indications as not permitted in a name: hair, nail or eyelash growth, DNA repair, draining, heal or healing, skin bleach, acne treatment, bust enlarging or volume, vaginal douche, insect bite or repellent, antifungal, antimicrobial, antivirus, antiseptic, disinfection.Found: Annex I part 2
- NameA reference to a medicinal product in the name.NPRA lists ear, nose or eye drops or spray, Botox and Meso (as in mesotherapy) as references to medicinal products, which a cosmetic name must not carry.Found: Annex I part 2
- NameAn internal organ, body part, hormone or growth factor in the name.NPRA lists, under references to internal organs, body parts or substances of human origin: micro-needling, injection, Telon, Param, Pilis, Tapal, Tangas, chest rub, calamine, breathe, mouth gargle, vagina, capillary, lymph, spleen, muscle, nerve, cervical, pelvic, ortho, joint, hormone and growth factors (EGF, FGF). “Growth factor” and “EGF” are common in Korean serums.Found: Annex I part 2
- NameA banned substance in the name.Cannabis, hemp, oestrogen and progesterone are listed as banned substances that may not be part of a product name.Found: Annex I part 2
- NameA word that carries superstition.NPRA lists Saka, Penawar, Badi, Jampi and Susuk as names with elements of superstition, ancient belief, negative spirits or supernatural power.Found: Annex I part 2
- NameA weight-loss or slimming word in the name.NPRA lists slim, trim, fat loss, fat burn, lipolysis, burn, inch loss, “XX loss”, and the Malay surut, ramping, langsing, kurus and susut perut as names that represent weight loss or slimming action.Found: Annex I part 2
- NameA word that may be read as indecent or offensive.NPRA does not permit names that refer to sex or sexual performance, pornography, or dirty, obscene or disgraceful words.Found: Annex I part 2
- NameAn ingredient name in the product name: is it in the formula?A name may not use an ingredient as part of the product name if the product does not contain it (NPRA’s examples: “Aloe Moisturizing Cream” with no aloe vera, “Collagen Cream” with no collagen). A name based on a characteristic of an ingredient is allowed: “Jasmine Shower Gel” with an artificial jasmine fragrance. Check the word against the formula before the name goes into Quest.Found: Annex I part 2
- ClaimCollagen, elastin, melanin, DNA repair or skin metabolism.Skin products: “reference to production of collagen and elastin, inhibition of melanin synthesis, DNA repair, skin metabolism” is listed as an unacceptable claim. Acceptable instead: helps to nourish, rejuvenate or regenerate cells; stimulates or accelerates skin renewal; increases cell turnover; younger-looking skin.Found: Annex I part 8
- ClaimBlood circulation or microcirculation.Skin products: a reference to blood circulation or microcirculation is listed as unacceptable. Massage products: “improve blood circulation” is also listed as unacceptable.Found: Annex I part 8
- ClaimPreventing, reducing, reversing or delaying the ageing process.Listed as unacceptable: “prevent / reduce / reverse / delay aging process”. Listed as acceptable: “slows down / delay signs of aging”. The word “anti-aging” itself is not on the list; the verb on the process is.Found: Annex I part 8
- ClaimHealing, treating or stopping acne.Unacceptable: heals, treats or stops acne. Acceptable: prevent, control or reduce acne or breakout.Found: Annex I part 8
- ClaimTreating a skin condition (pigmentation, melasma, rosacea, cellulite, warts).Unacceptable: treatment of skin conditions such as pigmentation, hyperpigmentation, freckles, melasma, fragile capillaries, rosacea, warts, and to prevent or treat cellulite. Acceptable: prevent or reduce dark spots, acne marks, wrinkles, pigmentation and stretch marks; reduce or improve the appearance of cellulite.Found: Annex I part 8
- ClaimRemoving or eliminating scars.Unacceptable: remove or eliminate scars. Acceptable: reduce or improve the appearance of scars.Found: Annex I part 8
- ClaimDraining, swelling or oedema.Unacceptable: reference to removal of excess body fluid, such as draining, drainage, swelling or oedema. Acceptable: body shaping, reshape, contour, firming.Found: Annex I part 8
- ClaimSlimming, fat loss or body metabolism.Unacceptable for skin products: reference to slim, slimming, trim, trimming, fat loss, fat burn, inch loss, body metabolism.Found: Annex I part 8
- ClaimBruises, wounds, burns or a numbing effect.Unacceptable: treatment on compromised skin such as bruises, wound and burn, and a numbing effect on the skin.Found: Annex I part 8
- ClaimA skin disease named in a claim.Unacceptable: reference to skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, varicose vein, rash, prickly heat and nappy rash.Found: Annex I part 8
- ClaimStopping hair loss, curing dandruff or baldness.Unacceptable for hair and scalp: permanently eliminates or stops dandruff; hair loss can be arrested or reversed; restores hair cells; hereditary or hormonal hair loss such as baldness or alopecia; cradle cap and seborrheic dermatitis. Acceptable: control, reduce or prevent dandruff; anti-hair loss or hair fall when due to physical factors such as breakage; promote healthy hair; helps to strengthen or nourish the hair root.Found: Annex I part 8
- ClaimHair growth, regrowth or preventing grey hair.Unacceptable: stimulate or promote hair growth; prevent grey hair. Hair, nail and eyelash growth is also on the list of names not permitted.Found: Annex I part 8
- ClaimTreating gum or mouth disease.Unacceptable for oral hygiene: treatment or prevention of dental abscess, gingivitis, gum boils, gum inflammation, mouth ulcers, periodontitis, periodontal disease, stomatitis, thrush or any oral disease; whitening tetracycline stains; gum bleeding; pain; effect on nerves; stimulating saliva. Acceptable: whiten teeth, prevent gum problems, maintain healthy gums, relief of sensitive teeth, anti-cavity, anti-plaque, freshen breath.Found: Annex I part 8
- ClaimCompletely stopping sweat.Unacceptable for deodorants and anti-perspirants: completely prevents or stops sweating. Acceptable: prevent or eliminate body odour; reduce sweating.Found: Annex I part 8
- ClaimAphrodisiac or attraction claims.Unacceptable for perfumes, fragrances and colognes: aphrodisiac (sexual attraction), hormonal attraction. Unacceptable for feminine and male hygiene products: reference to sexual pleasure, virility or sex drive.Found: Annex I part 8
- ClaimA disease, mental-wellbeing or “consume” claim on an aroma product.Unacceptable for essential oil and aromatherapy products: reference to insomnia, anxiety, cold, flu, migraine, cough, respiratory problems, menopause, period pain, PMS, the immune system; effect on mental wellbeing such as improved focus, memory enhancer, sleeping disorder, stress or tension relief; “to be taken / consumed”. Acceptable: calming, relaxing, refreshing, uplifting, moisturizing, soothing, when applied on skin and within cosmetic scope. Dubai’s guideline is stricter on “calming”: do not copy one answer to the other market.Found: Annex I part 8
- ClaimPain, ache or bloat relief.Unacceptable for massage products: reference to relieving pain or ache of body, muscle or joint; stomach wind or bloat. Acceptable: calming, relaxing, refreshing, uplifting, moisturizing.Found: Annex I part 8
- ClaimSunblock, waterproof, UV block, skin cancer or SPF above 50.Unacceptable for sunscreens: sunblock, sweat or water proof, UV block or cut, reference to skin diseases such as skin cancer, an SPF value above 50 such as SPF 130. Acceptable: water or sweat resistant, prevent sunburn, protect skin against harmful UVA and UVB rays, SPF 50+ for values above 50. Sunscreens also have their own guideline (Annex I part 9(i)), not covered here.Found: Annex I part 8
- ClaimAntimicrobial, disinfectant, fungicidal or virucidal action.Unacceptable under “others”: antimicrobial, disinfectant, fungicidal or virucidal action. Acceptable: antibacterial; kills bacteria or germs; germ protection.Found: Annex I part 8
- ClaimA religious reference.Unacceptable: use of reference to the Hadith, Al-Quran, the Bible or any religious statement on a cosmetic product. The advertising guideline adds that adverts must not exploit religious requirements or beliefs.Found: Annex I part 8
- Claim“Approved by the Ministry of Health”.Unacceptable under “others”: approved by the Ministry of Health (MOH). A notification is not an approval, and the label must not imply one.Found: Annex I part 8
- ClaimA GMP or ISO 22716 logo or statement.Unacceptable: the use of a symbol, logo or statement related to GMP certification or standard, for example ISO 22716. A logo not related to GMP, such as ECOCERT, may be acceptable and must be substantiated. Your factory’s GMP certificate goes into Quest, not onto the pack.Found: Annex I part 8
- Claim“100% protection”.Unacceptable under “others”: 100% protection.Found: Annex I part 8
- ClaimA “no side effects” safety claim.Unacceptable: claims that imply the product is not associated with, or is free from, any side effects. “No side effects”, “No harmful effects” and “No toxic or adverse effects” are not allowed. A natural product must not mislead consumers into assuming it is safe because it is natural.Found: Annex I part 8
- ClaimA graphic or word for an internal organ, hormone or growth factor.Unacceptable under “others”: a graphic, logo or symbol that refers to an internal organ, body part or substance of human origin: vagina, growth factor (for example EGF and FGF), capillary, lymph, spleen, hormone, nerve. The same words are on the list of names not permitted.Found: Annex I part 8
- ClaimMedicated, mesotherapy, injection, derma-roller or insect-repellent wording.Unacceptable under “others”: cosmeceutical, mesotherapy, injection, micro-needling, derma-roller, susuk; use as “gargle” or “medicated”; insect repellent such as mozzie lotion or insect bite.Found: Annex I part 8
- ClaimBust size or intimate-care claims.Unacceptable for bust products: enlargement, volumizing, size, reducing bust size, use on cracked or sore nipples. Acceptable: bust firming or lifting, prevent cracked nipple, moisturizing. Unacceptable for feminine hygiene: tightening vaginal muscle, preserving normal flora, infection and inflammation, reducing vaginal discharge.Found: Annex I part 8
- ClaimA number on the pack: keep the evidence.Numerical claims of performance or effectiveness, such as 99.9%, “in 3 days” or 10x, are acceptable if substantiated by relevant evidence. The evidence belongs in the Product Information File, ready for NPRA.Found: Annex I part 8
Grey lines are prompts, not findings: an ingredient word in a name is fine when the ingredient is in the formula, and a number is fine when the evidence is in the file.
How the screen is read
Names are tested against Annex I part 2 (August 2022). Claims, and the name too, are tested against the table in Annex I part 8 (August 2022): the words in its “unacceptable” column, plus the “other claims” notes on GMP logos, religious references, safety claims and Ministry approval. Both documents say they are not exhaustive and that NPRA may disallow other words, phrases or graphics it finds misleading, improper or not factual.
Matching is by plain word patterns, so a phrase that means the same thing in other words will pass, and an innocent use of a listed word (“burn” in a candle name, “joint” in a joint-venture line) will be flagged. Read each flagged line against its paragraph. “Anti-aging” as a word is not on the list; “reverse the aging process” is.