More Transparency For Household Products

More Transparency For Household Products

The Consumer Specialty Products Association, Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association and American Cleaning Institute have amended their Consumer Product Ingredient Communication Initiative, which initially took effect in January 2010. The update provides increased transparency under one of the most comprehensive ingredient communication consumer product programs in North America, according to the trade associations.

Under the initiative, companies are voluntarily sharing with consumers more information than ever about the ingredients in their products (air care products, automotive care products, cleaning products, polishes and floor maintenance products). It requires that all ingredients, except incidental ingredients that have no technical or functional effect in the product, are either listed on the product label; on the manufacturers’, distributors’, or importers’ website; through a toll-free telephone number; and/or through some other non-electronic means.

The three associations have amended the program to include the following, which become effective Jan. 1, 2012:
Additional detail on fragrances will be provided, such as a link to the International Fragrance Association list or company- specific list of fragrance ingredients.

Preservative ingredients will be listed using one of five accepted naming systems.

Dyes and colorants will be listed by the trade name or chemical-specific name using one of the five accepted naming systems.

If a company chooses to provide ingredient information on a website or through a toll-free phone number, the website or number must be listed on the product label.

The CSPA Dictionary is included as an additional option for naming ingredients.

These amendments further demonstrate the industry’s commitment to providing consumers with information about product ingredients, according to the groups.



RIFM Study Looks at Fragrance Allergy
The first article from the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials-sponsored, global study on the true prevalence of contact allergy to fragrances, is now available from the group’s website at www.rifm.org. The article, “Design and Feasibility of an International Study Assessing the Prevalence of Contact Allergy to Fragrances in the General Population: The European Dermato-Epidemiology Network Fragrance Study,” Marta Rossi et al., was published in the peer-reviewed journal, Dermatology, in late 2010; 221:267-275.

Sponsored by RIFM, the global fragrance study is being conducted by the European Dermato-Epidemiology Network (EDEN). It is the first time that the true prevalence of contact allergy to fragrances in the general population is being measured on a global scale, according to RIFM. RIFM initiated the study; the Expert Panel endorsed it and EDEN conducted it. The EDEN Fragrance Study is conducted in collaboration with the European Society of Contact Dermatitis (ESCD) and coordinated by the Centro Studi GISED, Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo. Though mainly supported by RIFM, additional support comes from The Netherlands Institute for Public Health and Environment, and the Foundation of Occupational and Environmental Dermatology. The ongoing study is reviewed by the Expert Panel.

The aim of this paper is to report on the methodology and reliability of instrumentation adopted by EDEN and to discuss the feasibility of the study based on the pilot phase that occurred from December 2006 to May 2007. The conclusion was that the global study is feasible and would provide useful and reliable data that would contribute to public health. The European phase of the global study has already been completed and the data is being analyzed. Plans are to start the North American phase in 2012.

New Website Focuses on Antibacterial Soaps
Consumers, researchers and regulators have a new website at their fingertips for fact-based, meaningful information on antibacterial soaps and ingredients: www.FightGermsNow.com.

The site is a joint project of the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) and the Personal Care Products Council, which have member companies who produce or supply antibacterial soaps, washes and ingredients.

“We are proud to launch FightGermsNow.com as a reliable, fact-based resource on antibacterial soaps and ingredients,” said Brian Sansoni, VP-communications, ACI. “This site contains information on the science behind the safety and effectiveness of these products that are used by millions of Americans every single day.”

“Surveys show that a majority of Americans use and benefit from antibacterial soaps on a daily basis, whether it’s in homes, hospitals, restaurants, day care centers, or workplaces,” said Kathleen Dezio, executive VP-public affairs and communications, Personal Care Products Council. “This support remains strong even in the face of a relentless flow of misinformation about these products over the last several years.”

FightGermsNow.com contains factsheets on antibacterial soaps and ingredients; information on how these products are regulated; a summary of research and data showcasing their safe and effective use; and news updates and links to relevant articles concerning antibacterial soaps and ingredients.

“FightGermsNow.com will be a continuously updated resource for those individuals interested in having an informed perspective on antibacterial soaps and ingredients,” Dezio said.



FDA Releases Draft Guidance on Nanotechnology
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has released draft guidance to provide regulated industries with greater certainty about the use of nanotechnology. The guidance outlines the agency’s view on whether regulated products contain nanomaterials or involve the application of nanotechnology.

The draft guidance, “Considering Whether an FDA-Regulated Product Involves the Application of Nanotechnology,” is available online and open for public comment. It represents the first step toward providing regulatory clarity on the FDA’s approach to nanotechnology.

Specifically, the agency named certain characteristics—such as the size of nanomaterials used and the exhibited properties of those materials—that may be considered when attempting to identify applications of nanotechnology in regulated products.

“With this guidance, we are not announcing a regulatory definition of nanotechnology,” said Margaret A. Hamburg, commissioner of Food and Drugs. “However, as a first step, we want to narrow the discussion to these points.”

For products subject to premarket review, the FDA intends to apply the points contained in the draft guidance, when finalized, to better understand the properties and behavior of engineered nanomaterials. For products not subject to premarket review, the FDA will urge manufacturers to consult with the agency early in the product development process so questions related to the regulatory status, safety, effectiveness or public health impact of these products can be adequately addressed.

In 2006, the FDA formed the Nanotechnology Task Force, charged with identifying and addressing ways to better enable the agency to evaluate possible adverse health effects from FDA-regulated nanotechnology products.

The agency issued a report by the task force in 2007 that recommended that the FDA issue additional guidance and take steps to address the potential risks and benefits of drugs, medical devices and other FDA-regulated products using nanotechnology.

FDA will develop additional guidance documents related to specific products or product categories in the future, as needed.

The FDA said it has a robust regulatory science agenda to develop the tools, methods and expertise necessary to evaluate products that contain nanomaterials or otherwise involve the use of nanotechnology.