Personal Care Products Council CEO & President Pamela G. Bailey Testifies on FDA Cosmetic Regulation Before U.S House Committee on Energy and Commerce

WASHINGTON -- Pamela G. Bailey, CEO and president of the Personal Care Products Council, appeared before the Subcommittee on Health of the U.S. Committee on Energy and Commerce to discuss the Food and Drug Administration Globalization Act Legislation on Device and Cosmetic Safety. Based in Washington, D.C., the Personal Care Products Council, formerly the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association, is the leading national trade association representing the global cosmetic and personal care products industry.

"Consumer safety has always been the number one priority of our cosmetics and personal care products companies, and our continued commitment to safety has made cosmetics and personal care products the safest category of products regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration," Bailey told the committee.

Of the 11 billion personal care products that are sold annually, an average of less than 150 adverse reactions are reported-most of which are minor skin irritations. Topically-applied and not ingested, cosmetics have the least potential to impact human health of any FDA-regulated product category. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) of 1938, it is crime to market an unsafe cosmetic product in the United States.

Cosmetics products imported into the U.S. are subject to the same laws and regulations as those produced in the U.S. They must be safe and contain no prohibited ingredients, and all labeling and packaging must be in compliance with U.S. regulations. All colors must be listed and pre-approved by FDA, and a number of color additives must be batch certified by FDA. If the product has an intended use that causes it to be considered an Over-the-Counter (OTC) drug, it must comply with the regulations for drugs, including establishment registration and drug listing.

"Product safety in a global marketplace is not only a matter of law for our members but also the primary commitment for each of them and for our trade association," said Pamela Bailey. "The Council is a science-based, safety-first organization with a decades-long track record of product safety initiatives that go beyond the requirements of the law."

For nearly 40 years, personal care product companies have invested millions of dollars through the Council in additional safety programs and initiatives to supplement FDA regulations. These initiatives include:

Based in Washington, D.C., the Personal Care Products Council is the leading national trade association representing the global cosmetic and personal care products industry. Founded in 1894, the Council's more than 600 member companies manufacture, distribute, and supply the vast majority of finished personal care products marketed in the U.S. As the makers of a diverse range of products millions of consumers rely on everyday, from sunscreens, toothpaste and shampoo to moisturizer, lipstick and fragrance, personal care products companies are global leaders committed to product safety, quality and innovation.

Source: The Personal Care Products Council