03.21.19
Landmark legislation introduced would ban the use in cosmetics sold in California of 20 toxic chemicals. Assembly Bill 495, authored by Assemblymembers Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) and Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland), states that cosmetics products containing toxic chemicals like mercury, lead, phthalates, formaldehyde, triclosan and the fluorinated compounds known as PFAS are “adulterated cosmetics” that may not be sold in California. The legislation is sponsored by Environmental Working Group and CALPIRG.
“Californians deserve to know whether the cosmetic products they purchase in the state are not harmful to their health,” said Assemblymember Muratsuchi. “While cosmetic products sold in the U.S. are largely unregulated, other nations — and even retailers — have proactively banned or restricted the use of hundreds or thousands of cosmetic ingredients. AB 495 will protect consumers by banning the sale in California of cosmetics containing known carcinogens, reproductive toxins, and endocrine disruptors that are harmful to human health.”
“Most of us, including me, use cosmetics on a daily basis,” said Assemblymember Wicks. “Some still contain chemicals that are harmful to our bodies. AB 495 will protect consumers so that we can continue to use our favorite products without worrying about what’s in our mascara.”
The full list of the “Toxic Twenty” chemicals that would be banned from use under the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act, include:
The California Safe Cosmetics Program was established in 2006. It requires major cosmetics manufacturers to provide notification whenever the company sells a cosmetics product that contains a reproductive toxicant or a carcinogen. The program has identified at least 88 different carcinogens and reproductive toxicants intentionally added to cosmetics sold in California.
By contrast, more than 40 other nations have prohibited or restricted the use of thousands of chemicals in cosmetics. Even major retailers have created lists of chemicals that may not be used in their own cosmetics brands.
“Californians deserve to know whether the cosmetic products they purchase in the state are not harmful to their health,” said Assemblymember Muratsuchi. “While cosmetic products sold in the U.S. are largely unregulated, other nations — and even retailers — have proactively banned or restricted the use of hundreds or thousands of cosmetic ingredients. AB 495 will protect consumers by banning the sale in California of cosmetics containing known carcinogens, reproductive toxins, and endocrine disruptors that are harmful to human health.”
“Most of us, including me, use cosmetics on a daily basis,” said Assemblymember Wicks. “Some still contain chemicals that are harmful to our bodies. AB 495 will protect consumers so that we can continue to use our favorite products without worrying about what’s in our mascara.”
The full list of the “Toxic Twenty” chemicals that would be banned from use under the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act, include:
- Asbestos
- Lead
- Diethylhexyl phthalate
- Formaldehyde
- Formaldehyde releasers
- Mercury and related compounds
- Four parabens – isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, butylparaben and propylparaben
- Toluene
- Triclosan
- Carbon black
- Fluorinated PFAS compounds
The California Safe Cosmetics Program was established in 2006. It requires major cosmetics manufacturers to provide notification whenever the company sells a cosmetics product that contains a reproductive toxicant or a carcinogen. The program has identified at least 88 different carcinogens and reproductive toxicants intentionally added to cosmetics sold in California.
By contrast, more than 40 other nations have prohibited or restricted the use of thousands of chemicals in cosmetics. Even major retailers have created lists of chemicals that may not be used in their own cosmetics brands.
