As regulatory bodies like the FDA and EU regulators tighten standards on ingredient transparency and sustainability claims, cosmetics and personal care brands face increasing accountability for the quality and safety of their products.
Despite these demands, a 2024 QIMA survey revealed that only 52% of global businesses can identify more than half of their sourcing network, highlighting significant gaps in supply chain visibility and a lack of transparency that could pose risk to compliance and brand reputation.
CosmeticsDesign spoke to Rodney Manzo, CEO of Anvyl, a supply chain visibility platform, who shared his key strategies for ensuring product quality and regulatory compliance.
In-person audits are non-negotiable
For brands evaluating potential suppliers, Manzo emphasized the value of firsthand observation. “Quality starts with direct observation,” he said, acknowledging that while workarounds do exist, “there’s no shortcut or checklist that replaces firsthand evaluation.”
By prioritizing in-person audits, he continued, this allows brands to “follow the full flow of goods—from inbound materials to final shipment—and assess where quality might break down.”
While quarterly site visits provide a solid starting point, Manzo noted that timing should reflect actual production timelines. During these audits, brands should ensure quality controls are fully integrated. “The goal is to verify that quality isn’t just promised,” he advised, “but actively managed and recorded on site.”
Firsthand observation also offers brands the opportunity to identify the signs of a strong supplier, he added, which are: clear quality processes, a dedicated quality team, and relevant certifications, such as ISO 9001.
Digital tools offer real-time control & compliance support
For many smaller and scaling brands, centralized documentation is a persistent challenge, which is often caused by a lack of quality expertise, Manzo shared.
“Teams that are unfamiliar with compliance protocols can struggle with disorganized documentation, which makes audits and reporting difficult,” he explained.
To address these issues, he recommended establishing a defined process and using tools that link documentation directly to supply chain events.
“At minimum, a robust Excel tracker can help manage specs and results, but ideally, brands use supply chain technology that ties documentation to purchase orders, ensures real-time visibility, and keeps compliance audit-ready,” he clarified.
Supply chain technology can also play a critical role in preventing quality issues before they reach the consumer. “Technology can identify problems early, at the source,” Manzo said.
“Whether the issue is with raw materials, production errors, or packaging flaws,” he continued, “digital platforms give teams the visibility they need to act before defective products reach stores.” Specifically, by utilizing platforms that offer automation and real-time updates, brands can make faster decisions and experience fewer downstream failures, according to Manzo.
Looking ahead: Navigating regulatory shifts & advancements in automation
As regulations evolve, particularly in areas such as sustainability and product claims, Manzo urged brands to respond without compromising efficiency. He advised that any change in inputs, such as introducing post-consumer recycled materials, must be matched with “tighter quality checks and updated compliance documentation.”
He noted that “manufacturing thrives on consistency; even small changes can create quality challenges if not managed closely.”
Moving forward, he expects significant changes in how quality control is implemented. “Expect more manufacturers to move from manual checks to in-line quality control,” he said.
Technologies like sensors and AI are already starting to replace human inspection in real-time and “will speed up this shift by analyzing quality data faster than humans can,” he added.
“Instead of relying on someone to check for leaks after a bottle’s filled,” he concluded, brands will increasingly rely on “real-time data, [which] can flag a defect the moment it appears—cutting waste and protecting the customer experience.”