11.04.10
‘Right-to-Know’ Bill Fails in California
The Consumer Right to Know Act (Senate Bill 928) introduced in California by Sen. Joe Simitian will not become law this year as it was held in committee, according to the Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA).
“Our association could not support this bill because it did not strike the appropriate balance between transparency about the ingredients in our products and the need to protect our intellectual property,” said CSPA president Chris Cathcart. “We are pleased to see that we will be able to continue our discussions with Sen. Simitian and the other stakeholders on this important issue and hope to reach agreement in 2011.”
The bill would have required companies to disclose proprietary product information.
CSPA proposes that a legislative or regulatory approach to “right-to-know” could build upon a voluntary consumer product ingredient communication initiative that became effective the first of this year. In fact, the association has for the past year been working with major non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to expand the program in an effort to reach agreement on and support such reasonable legislation in California and at the federal level.
Although CSPA member companies compromised on many issues through its work with the NGOs and Sen. Simitian, the stakeholders were unable to reach agreement on the bill.
“What our industry put on the table, however, would have been one of the most far-reaching right-to-know mandates required of any industry in the world,” said Cathcart. “We are committed to sharing more information about the ingredients in our products and reaching agreement on this issue, but we will continue to draw the line if our proprietary information is at risk.”
Cathcart added, “We also think that the American people would agree with us that companies need the incentive to innovate and retain and help create more employment opportunities in the U.S. Our ultimate goal is finding that balance of protecting intellectual property and being transparent.”
New RIFM Study Available Online
The Research Institute for Fragrance Materials, Inc. (RIFM) has now published on the RIFM website, www.rifm.org, a special issue of Food and Chemical Toxicology, Volume 48, Supplement 3, on the RIFM Human Health Group Summary, A Safety Assessment of Non-cyclic Alcohols with Unsaturated Branched Chain when used as Fragrance Ingredients.
The Expert Panel is of the opinion that there are no safety concerns regarding unsaturated branched chain alcohols under the present declared levels of use and exposure. These alcohols are used in decorative cosmetics, fine fragrances, shampoos and soaps as well in household cleaners and detergents.
All available data suggest that there is no indication for phototoxicity, acute toxicity, systemic toxicity (after repeated application), developmental toxicity, genotoxicity or carcinogenicity.The panel authored this assessment of unsaturated branched chain alcohols when used as fragrance ingredients.
CPSC Chairman Announces New Office
At the Consumer Specialty Products Association’s (CSPA) conference, “The Consumer Product Safety Commission From A to Z (And Beyond),” keynote speaker Inez Tenenbaum, chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), announced that the Commission will open a new office of education, global outreach and small business ombudsman as a sign of the agency’s commitment to being accessible to the public.
“This office will coordinate and provide education and outreach activities to domestic and international stakeholders, including manufacturers, retailers, resellers, small businesses, foreign governments and consumers,”Tenenbaum explained. “We realize that many manufacturers may not know where to turn for information on our regulations or might experience difficulty accessing it to fully address safety in the manufacturing process.”
Register Now for CSPA’s 97th Annual Conference
The CSPA 97th annual meeting is slated for Dec. 5-9 at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The yearly event, which draws participation from hundreds of companies representing the aerosol, air care, cleaners, polishes, automotive care, antimicrobial and pest management industries, will be an opportunity to discuss key issues and learn new methods for business improvement.
To better leverage the location and expected attendance for this year’s annual meeting, CSPA also will host its 7th Annual International Affairs Conference on Dec. 4-5, during the days leading up to the annual meeting. Member registration fees for the event are $900 before Nov. 12 and $950 thereafter.
The Consumer Right to Know Act (Senate Bill 928) introduced in California by Sen. Joe Simitian will not become law this year as it was held in committee, according to the Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA).
“Our association could not support this bill because it did not strike the appropriate balance between transparency about the ingredients in our products and the need to protect our intellectual property,” said CSPA president Chris Cathcart. “We are pleased to see that we will be able to continue our discussions with Sen. Simitian and the other stakeholders on this important issue and hope to reach agreement in 2011.”
The bill would have required companies to disclose proprietary product information.
CSPA proposes that a legislative or regulatory approach to “right-to-know” could build upon a voluntary consumer product ingredient communication initiative that became effective the first of this year. In fact, the association has for the past year been working with major non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to expand the program in an effort to reach agreement on and support such reasonable legislation in California and at the federal level.
Although CSPA member companies compromised on many issues through its work with the NGOs and Sen. Simitian, the stakeholders were unable to reach agreement on the bill.
“What our industry put on the table, however, would have been one of the most far-reaching right-to-know mandates required of any industry in the world,” said Cathcart. “We are committed to sharing more information about the ingredients in our products and reaching agreement on this issue, but we will continue to draw the line if our proprietary information is at risk.”
Cathcart added, “We also think that the American people would agree with us that companies need the incentive to innovate and retain and help create more employment opportunities in the U.S. Our ultimate goal is finding that balance of protecting intellectual property and being transparent.”
More info: www.cspa.org
New RIFM Study Available Online
The Research Institute for Fragrance Materials, Inc. (RIFM) has now published on the RIFM website, www.rifm.org, a special issue of Food and Chemical Toxicology, Volume 48, Supplement 3, on the RIFM Human Health Group Summary, A Safety Assessment of Non-cyclic Alcohols with Unsaturated Branched Chain when used as Fragrance Ingredients.
The Expert Panel is of the opinion that there are no safety concerns regarding unsaturated branched chain alcohols under the present declared levels of use and exposure. These alcohols are used in decorative cosmetics, fine fragrances, shampoos and soaps as well in household cleaners and detergents.
All available data suggest that there is no indication for phototoxicity, acute toxicity, systemic toxicity (after repeated application), developmental toxicity, genotoxicity or carcinogenicity.The panel authored this assessment of unsaturated branched chain alcohols when used as fragrance ingredients.
More info: www.rifm.org
CPSC Chairman Announces New Office
At the Consumer Specialty Products Association’s (CSPA) conference, “The Consumer Product Safety Commission From A to Z (And Beyond),” keynote speaker Inez Tenenbaum, chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), announced that the Commission will open a new office of education, global outreach and small business ombudsman as a sign of the agency’s commitment to being accessible to the public.
“This office will coordinate and provide education and outreach activities to domestic and international stakeholders, including manufacturers, retailers, resellers, small businesses, foreign governments and consumers,”Tenenbaum explained. “We realize that many manufacturers may not know where to turn for information on our regulations or might experience difficulty accessing it to fully address safety in the manufacturing process.”
More info: www.cpsc.gov
Register Now for CSPA’s 97th Annual Conference
The CSPA 97th annual meeting is slated for Dec. 5-9 at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The yearly event, which draws participation from hundreds of companies representing the aerosol, air care, cleaners, polishes, automotive care, antimicrobial and pest management industries, will be an opportunity to discuss key issues and learn new methods for business improvement.
To better leverage the location and expected attendance for this year’s annual meeting, CSPA also will host its 7th Annual International Affairs Conference on Dec. 4-5, during the days leading up to the annual meeting. Member registration fees for the event are $900 before Nov. 12 and $950 thereafter.
More info: www.cspa.org