Safe Cosmetics Alliance Makes A Debut

A diverse coalition representing the entire spectrum of the nation’s cosmetic and personal care industry – from nail salon workers to small business owners and direct sellers to global corporations – have come together to champion modernizing the industry’s US product safety laws, according to officials from the newly-formed Safe Cosmetics Alliance.

“Those of us in the personal care products and beauty services industry have an impeccable safety record,” said Pam Busiek, president and CEO for the Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers & Distributors (ICMAD), a member of the new Alliance. “Given all the advances in science and technology, it is essential that our laws keep pace. We want to ensure that we sustain our positive safety record as well as the confidence of our consumers for years to come.”

The coalition supports science-based federal legislation designed to strengthen U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) oversight of the industry, increase transparency and enhance existing consumer safeguards.The industry has been in discussions with Members of Congress to encourage introduction of such a bill.

The Alliance, which today unveiled its new website, also includes the Professional Beauty Association (PBA), Direct Selling Association (DSA), and the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC).

“We need to modernize our laws precisely because the beauty and personal care industry is one of the most important sectors of the economy,” said Steve Sleeper, executive director for the Professional Beauty Association.“It is only prudent that we stay ahead of the curve when it comes to keeping consumers and workers safe.”

The Alliance is supporting legislation that would require personal care products manufacturers to register with the FDA and file with the agency reports detailing the ingredients used in their products. The legislation also would require manufacturers to report any unexpected adverse reactions a consumer has with a product.It also would create a process at the FDA for any stakeholder to seek a safety review of any ingredient used in a product.

Combined, Safe Cosmetics Alliance members represent a major portion of the United States economy – nearly 8.2 million American jobs and almost $189 billion in contributions to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually.

“We touch the life of nearly every single American, most of whom use our products or services on a daily basis,” said Lezlee Westine, president and CEO for the Personal Care Products Council.“Both large and small companies have earned the consumers’ trust over the years.In this context, the formation of the Safe Cosmetics Alliance is yet further recognition of our responsibility to maintain that trust,” she said.