I've written in the past about how I like Natural Instinct products. That was until I found out that they have been mislabelling their products. Thankfully they haven't gotten away with it and have the following information on their website.
NATURAL INSTINCT
CORRECTIVE NOTICE
Natural Products of Australia Pty Ltd (ACN 107 425 838) (Natural Instinct) is a manufacturer, wholesaler and distributor of a range of hair and skin care products and household cleaning products marketed under the names “Natural Instinct” and “Organic Instinct”.
Non-compliant labelling and misleading claims
Following an investigation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (the ACCC), Natural Instinct has acknowledged that it may have breached sections 52, 53(a), 55 and 65D of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (the Act) in the labelling of some of its products and in brochures distributed by Natural Instinct.
Natural Instinct underwent a change of management in October 2007. The ACCC acknowledges it is likely that some of the conduct described below was initiated by the previous management of Natural Instinct. Natural Instinct’s current management is working with the ACCC to rectify these matters.
Until on or about 30 June 2008:
- Natural Instinct did not include sodium laureth sulphate (plant derived), cocamide DEA, cetrimonium chloride and citric acid as ingredients on the labels of the products listed in Table A, as required by the Trade Practices (Consumer Product Information Standards) (Cosmetic) Regulations 1991 (the Standard).
TABLE A
Ingredient | Products affected | |
Sodium Laureth Sulphate (plant derived) | Baby shampoo | Foaming cleanser |
Cocamide DEA | Baby shampoo | Hand wash |
Cetrimonium Chloride | Baby conditioner | Conditioner |
Citric Acid | Baby bath wash | Foaming facial cleanser |
- Natural Instinct did not list ingredients in the correct order on the products listed in Table B, as required by the Standard.
TABLE B
Products affected | ||
Aloe Vera Gel | Baby bath wash | Baby conditioner |
Baby moisturising lotion | Baby shampoo | Body lotion |
Body wash | Conditioner | Facial scrub |
Foaming facial cleanser | Hand cream | Hand wash |
Moisturiser | Shampoo. |
|
- Natural Instinct did not correctly name the chemicals and ingredients listed in Table C, as required by the Standard
TABLE C
INCI name | Incorrect name(s) used |
Sodium laureth sulphate (plant derived) | Sodium Salt of Laureth 2 |
Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate | Suttocide |
Fragrance (USA) | Preservative T |
Cetrimonium Chloride | Quaternised derivative of palm oil |
The purpose of the Standard is to allow consumers to identify ingredients contained in cosmetic products and to compare products. This is particularly important for consumers with allergies and for consumers who wish to avoid the use of certain chemicals or ingredients.
Natural Instinct has acknowledged that it may have breached the Act and has entered into an undertaking with the ACCC to place this corrective notice; to cease the contravening conduct; provide refunds to affected customers; and to implement a Trade Practices Compliance Program.
Full details of the Section 87B Undertaking and a list of affected products can be found on the Public Register on the ACCC’s website at www.accc.gov.au.
To compensate customers who purchased Natural Instinct products and believe they have been misled, Natural Instinct is offering a refund for the full purchase price of affected products. For more information about claims for refunds contact Edwina Pearce of Natural Instinct on 1800 771 063 or at customerservice@natural instinct.com.au by 6 June 2009.
This corrective advertisement has been paid for by Natural Products of Australia Pty Ltd and placed pursuant to an undertaking to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission given under section 87B of the Trade Practices Act 1974.
This information comes from the ACCC website:
ACCC targets blemish in cosmetics labelling
Australian cosmetics manufacturer Natural Products of Australia Pty Ltd will publish corrective notices in national newspapers and magazines this month, following action by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission about incorrect labelling on Natural Instinct and Organic Instinct hair and skin care products.
"Consumers should be able to rely on labels to provide accurate information about the chemicals and other ingredients in cosmetic products," ACCC Deputy Chairman, Mr Peter Kell, said today.
The ACCC was concerned that inaccuracies in Natural Instinct's labels would mislead consumers about the composition of its products and prevent them from making informed purchasing decisions.
"This is particularly important for consumers with allergies who need to avoid particular ingredients and chemicals," he said. "Further, consumers who are increasingly conscious of the kinds of chemicals in the home may wish to avoid certain ingredients.
"There is also a trend towards buying natural, organic and environmentally friendly products."
Natural Instinct did not list chemicals such as sodium laureth sulphate, cocamide DEA and cetrimonium chloride as ingredients on a number of its products.
It later listed ingredients including sodium laureth sulphate and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate by incorrect names. Natural Instinct also did not list ingredients from biggest to smallest as required by the applicable mandatory standard.
The ACCC also held concerns about statements by Natural Instinct that its products are "made with/from 100% pure oils and certified organic herbs" because a number of the products contain relatively insignificant amounts of herbs and oils. Natural Instinct has amended its packaging in response to this concern.
"The purpose of the mandatory standard for cosmetic labelling is to ensure that consumers know exactly what is in the products they use. The ACCC will take action against manufacturers which fail to comply with the mandatory standard and gain an unfair advantage over companies that do the right thing."
The ACCC acknowledges it is likely that some of the conduct was initiated by the previous management of Natural Instinct.
Natural Instinct's current management has entered into court enforceable undertakings with the ACCC and has agreed to:
- relabel its products
- provide full refunds to affected customers
- publish corrective notices in the Women's Weekly magazine and the Body+Soul lift-out of the Sunday Mail, Sunday Telegraph, Sunday Herald Sun, Sunday Times and major newspapers in Tasmania and the Northern Territory
- publish a corrective notice listing all affected products on its website (www.naturalinstinct.com.au)
- endeavour to place corrective notices in all stores that sell its products, and
- implement a trade practices law compliance program.
For information about claiming a refund contact Natural Instinct on 1800 771 063 or email customerservice@naturalinstinct.com.au.
Issued: 16th April 2009
I'm so disgusted too GQ. I hadn't actually used any NI products - but they were always on my list of brands to try. Now I won't go near them. So frightening that companies have gotten away with this? I mean, sure they've been outed now, but who knows how many others are lying? As someone who suffers from sls-induced skin reactions, I really do need to know exactly what ingredients are in each product.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I had no idea! Thanks very much for posting this. I thought Natural Instincts was supposed to not contain those ingredients you just mentioned!
ReplyDeleteThat is just terrible!...thank goodness I DON'T have any of that brand...and neither will in the future, thanks for letting us know!
ReplyDeleteI think I've mentioned somewhere that I don't like their body wash, drying out my skin. No wonder... naughty companies think they can get away with murder...
ReplyDelete