Cosmetics Group Calls for More FDA Oversight of Ingredients

A cosmetics and personal care products trade group on Friday called for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to play a larger role in assessing the safety of ingredients used in their products. The Personal Care Products Council says it favors establishment of formal processes for FDA to review ingredients for safety at the request of the public and stakeholder groups, as well as safety determinations made by an independent review panel.

In a letter to the chairs of House and Senate oversight committees, the council outlined a plan for mandatory industry reporting and best manufacturing practices, including …

– More registrations and filings with FDA of manufacturing sites, ingredient reports, and mandatory reports of unexpected adverse effects by consumers

– New FDA processes to review ingredients intended for use in a personal care product and set safety use levels for such ingredient on a specified timetable, in response to either an outside request or or its own determinations

– New FDA process to establish safe levels for trace constituents in cosmetic ingredients and products

– Review by FDA of current and future findings on the safety of cosmetic ingredients by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel and determine if these findings are correct, and take the action needed to determine if the ingredients reviewed by CIR can be used safely

– Establishment by FDA of industry-wide good manufacturing practices

The group noted that two parts of its plan — mandatory industry reporting and good manufacturing practices — are provisions in the proposed Food and Drug Administration Globalization Act of 2009 (H.R. 759), introduced by Congressman John Dingell (D-MI), now being considered by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Lezlee Westine, the group’s president, says the industry plan is in response to American consumers who are requesting and deserving more transparency from government and industry.