Dear Members and Friends,

Our Journey as an Association has been transformative.

We are fully aware of the constraints, yet we did not allow these limited resources to stop us from stepping forward to accomplish the objectives we set for ourselves. We secured a permanent address and venue for in-person meetings, digitalized our operations and co-launched Singapore’s first-ever CTFAS-SP Specialist Diploma in Specialty Chemicals (Personal Care Product Development). Kicking off in July 2025 at the Singapore Polytechnic, this Industry-endorsed and government- supported micro-credential programme amplifies our credo to uplift the Singapore (& ASEAN) BPC Industry through professional education which is sustainable, life-wide and life-long. Recognising the importance of soft-skills, we have launched a suite of e-training courses with the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS).

But beyond Singapore, the ASEAN Cosmetic Association (ACA) has requested us to provide leadership in offering high quality training programs that are accessible to all professionals residing in ASEAN especially if they belong to our counterparts such as FMM-MTIG, CCIP, PERKOSMI, TCMA, MYCA and VOCA. As training and upskilling have been the strength of the CTFAS, we are happy to take the lead.

We have tapped into the resources provided by the Singapore Business Federation’s Trade Association and Chambers’ division, providing on-going training for our first-ever permanent Administrative Executive as well as other networking opportunities with chambers who are willing to work with us. On the ESG front, collaborative initiatives are in the pipeline with the internationally esteemed Singapore Environment Council, the Singapore Polytechnic’s Centre for Environmental Sustainability & Energy Efficiency, the Singapore National Environmental Agency and RSM-Stoneforest.

However, strong headwinds from regulatory changes continue to challenge the Industry. Building on our congenial ties, the Association holds regular dialogue with our Singapore Health Sciences Authority, a WHO-Listed Authority (WLA) for its medicines regulatory system (HSA is globally esteemed as operating at an advanced level of regulatory performance, ensuring that medicines in Singapore meet high safety, efficacy and quality standards). We were also privileged to host a visit by China’s NMPA delegates to exchange views about the BPC Industry.

We will build on these accomplishments, strengthen our collaborations with stakeholders like Enterprise SG, Singapore Polytechnic’s CCTC, A*STAR, like-minded Associations in China, Japan, EU, ANZ, just to name a few.

I wish to express my utmost respect and thanks to each of my colleagues serving this current term, who have freely contributed time, expertise and resources in interest of the Association.

The upcoming Management Committee and Working Groups can expect to be busier. I call on everyone to step up your efforts and join us as we continue in this exciting journey.

Thank you.
Sincerely,
Andrew GAN,
President
The Cosmetic, Toiletry & Fragrance Association of Singapore (CTFAS)