The European Commission is preparing a legal proposal to revise the Cosmetic Products Regulation in line with Green Deal objectives, including the phasing out of chemicals deemed “most harmful." Cosmetics Europe director-general John Chave discusses the problematic approach, possible impacts, and the bizarre and unintended results it could produce.

Firmenich says it is first in the industry and second in the world to certify 100% of employees to Fair Wage Network’s living wage standards. The Swiss fragrance and flavor firm is focused now on driving progress from suppliers and customers.

The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act, part of must-pass FDA user-fee legislation, aligns with a number of the Personal Care Products Council’s key principles for federal cosmetics reform. Preemption provisions could be stronger, but the bipartisan bill represents “a pivotal moment,” the trade association says.

E.l.f. Skin, now the fourth brand in the firm’s portfolio alongside e.l.f. Beauty, W3ll People, and Keys Soulcare, includes new Blemish Breakthrough and Pure Skin lines of clean, kind products priced at $14 or less.

Federal legislative reform is an historic opportunity not only to strengthen the US FDA’s oversight of the cosmetics sector, but also to modernize the industry and its value proposition to consumers. John Bailey, independent advisor for cosmetics and colors at EAS Consulting Group, is confident there’s a way to do all, but "serious" stakeholder negotiations are needed.

In HBW Insight’s conversations with industry advocates about legislation in the US Senate to reform US cosmetics regulations, frustrations with the process have been palpable. Stakeholders suggest that science and proportionality are taking back seats to politics and that concerns about costs to industry, which ultimately could be passed on to consumers, are not being taken seriously enough.