Different Players, Shared Goals

By Thomas Myers, PCPC president & CEO

At a time when Americans are reflecting on 250 years of civic progress and the world turns its attention to events like the FIFA World Cup that showcase international unity and competition, the beauty industry is marking a milestone of its own: 20 years of global collaboration to advance science-based regulation, consumer protection and trade.  

Behind this milestone is the International Cooperation on Cosmetics Regulation (ICCR), a voluntary forum that brings together authorities responsible for cosmetics regulation and their respective industry trade associations. ICCR enables constructive dialogue on issues where greater international understanding can improve safety and regulatory practice.

While consumers may never have heard of ICCR, its work influences the environment in which beauty products are developed, traded, and brought to market worldwide.

Leveling the Playing Field

Cosmetics and personal care products companies compete in the marketplace, but when it comes to science, safety and trade, industry succeeds when regulators and stakeholders work together across borders.

Just as the World Cup relies on a common set of rules that allow nations from around the globe to compete on the same field, ICCR has spent the past 20 years advancing regulatory alignment to support consistency, consumer confidence, and economic growth worldwide. And much like soccer’s “beautiful game,” the beauty industry’s success hinges on internationally aligned approaches that enable innovation, facilitate trade, and deliver safe products to consumers worldwide.

Different teams. Different strategies. Different priorities. But common rules.

Building a Common Framework for Beauty

Over the past two decades, ICCR has demonstrated that meaningful international cooperation does not require unanimity. Countries can maintain distinct legal systems, regulatory structures, and policy priorities while still working together to advance consumer safety, strengthen scientific understanding, and address shared challenges.

 ICCR has fostered sustained stakeholder collaboration on ongoing and emerging issues, such as new technologies and ingredients, evolving consumer expectations, and alternative approaches to animal testing.

That spirit of cooperation was visible at ICCR’s 20th anniversary meeting in Tokyo. Participants endorsed a forward-looking anniversary declaration, a comprehensive review of ICCR’s scientific and regulatory work, general principles for e-labeling and digital product information, and new consumer communications on cosmetic safety. The addition of the United Kingdom further broadened ICCR’s global perspective and reach.

Perhaps most importantly, ICCR continues to help reduce unnecessary regulatory differences that can slow innovation and create barriers to trade. In an era of technological change, increasingly globalized supply chains, and rapid scientific advances, no regulator or market operates in isolation. Progress is contingent on the ability to exchange scientific expertise and learn from one another.

Innovation Without Borders

From research and development to manufacturing, distribution, and retail, today’s beauty marketplace is inherently international. Ingredients may be sourced from one country, formulated in another, packaged in a third, and ultimately sold to consumers around the world. The ability to move products, components, and ideas efficiently across borders is essential.

That reality is reflected in the industry’s economic footprint. The United States remains a global leader in beauty and personal care, exporting billions of dollars in products to markets worldwide each year andsupporting hundreds of thousands of jobs across the supply chain. Yet maintaining that leadership position requires more than strong brands and innovative products. It also depends on an international regulatory environment that enables trade, reduces unnecessary barriers, and allows companies to compete on a level playing field.

The stakes are particularly clear in fast-growing international markets. In 2025, the U.S. beauty and personal care industry exported $15.8 billion globally, demonstrating the sector’s strength and global reach. Yet significant opportunities remain in markets such as China, where U.S. beauty exports totaled $1.1 billion despite strong consumer demand and continued market growth. As global competition increases, regulatory consistency, greater transparency, and more predictable pathways to market can help American companies expand their reach, strengthen exports, and compete more effectively.

For the United States, maintaining a leadership role in the beauty industry will increasingly rely on the ability to engage, compete, and succeed in an interconnected global marketplace.

Winning Together

ICCR has shown that cooperation and competitiveness are not opposing forces. ICCR’s next chapter depends on turning the forum’s endorsed work into practical results and sustained action.

As global opportunities continue to expand, cross-border collaboration remains one of the industry’s greatest strengths. And much like soccer, the beauty industry performs best when everyone plays by a common set of rules, creating an environment that promotes safety, innovation, and trust.

About The Expert

Thomas Myers is PCPC president & CEO.