Safe Cosmetics Alliance Makes Its Debut

Safe Cosmetics Alliance Makes Its 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 to 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 group. “Given all the advances in science and technology, it is essential that our laws keep pace.”

The coalition supports science-based federal legislation designed to strengthen US 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 unveiled a new website, also includes the Professional Beauty Association (PBA), Direct Selling Association (DSA) and the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC).

“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.”
More info: www.SafeCosmeticsAlliance.org


Fragranced Fabric Care in Debate
Groups representing laundry product and fragrance manufacturers rebutted statements regarding fragrances in laundry products based on a study that fails to meet the basic principles of scientific investigation.

The American Cleaning Institute, Consumer Specialty Products Association, International Fragrance Association-North America and the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials, Inc. reiterated the safety and effectiveness of scented laundry products that were attacked in a recent paper.

The document makes unsubstantiated claims about emissions from dryer vents after using certain laundry products, according to the industry groups.

The manufacturer groups expressed disappointment that the paper’s authors exploited their findings of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emanating from dryer vents based on a dataset of such limited size and plagued by the confounding effects of their study design. The associations maintain that their own data could equally support the conclusion that most of the trace compounds could come from sources other than laundry products.


FDA Unveils Strategic Plan For Regulatory Science
The US Food and Drug Administration developed a strategic plan for regulatory science, the science of developing new tools, standards and approaches to assess the safety, efficacy, quality and performance of FDA-regulated products. The plan identifies eight priority areas:

Modernize toxicology to enhance product safety;

Stimulate innovation in clinical evaluations and personalized medicine to improve product development and patient outcomes;

Support new approaches to improve product manufacturing and quality;

Ensure FDA readiness to evaluate innovative emerging technologies;

Harness diverse data through information sciences to improve health outcomes;

Implement a new prevention-focused food safety system to protect public health;
Facilitate development of medical countermeasures to protect against threats to US and global health and security;

Strengthen social and behavioral science to help consumers and professionals make informed decisions about regulated products;

FDA will apply available resources to implement the Strategic Plan for Regulatory Science through management of scientific programs within FDA and engagement of collaborators and partners in industry, academia and government.

More info: www.fda.gov/ScienceResearch/SpecialTopics/RegulatoryScience/ucm268095.htm


Green Seal Issues Standards for Household Cleaners
Green Seal, Inc. has released standards for specialty cleaners used in the industrial, institutional and consumer markets. These specialty cleaning product standards, for Institutional and Industrial Cleaners (GS-53) and Household Cleaners (GS-52), cover products such as dish soaps, graffiti removers, automotive cleansers, deck and outdoor cleaners, odor removers, and polishes and waxes, among others. The standards also provide guidance on what requirements to look for in specifying disinfectants and sanitizers. In addition to addressing environmental sustainability and the health and safety of cleaning professionals and building occupants, the standards also provide criteria for functional product performance.
More info: www.greenseal.org