ABSTRACT
Advancements in nanotechnology pertaining to their design, production, and applications are continuously ongoing. Successes of nanotechnology-based approaches have the involvement of multi-disciplinary research streams such as material chemistry, biophysics, and biology. Several factors, such as consumer preferences, lifestyle changes, availability of materials, and discovery of newer sources, etc. influence the cosmetic market as a whole. This makes it imperative to consolidate a standard regulatory process for ensuring a complete tracking of the safety and effectiveness of the developed nanoformulations on a global scale. This makes it necessary to have clarity in legal connotations as well in order to safeguard the interests of the manufacturer and the consumer. This chapter discusses the existing regulatory framework and guidelines that are in effect, majorly in the United States and European markets and the bodies involved in mediating the same. This is followed by a discussion on the legalities associated with nanocosmetics and consumer protection. The latter part of the chapter discusses the future outlook of nanocosmetics, the prominent areas making developments, and their progress so far.
