Statement by President & CEO Lezlee Westine Personal Care Products Council On Negotiations with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Regarding Cosmetics Legislation
“We are extremely disappointed that FDA has indicated they will not participate in further discussions with the cosmetics industry regarding cosmetic legislation and have taken such a hard line approach to our efforts to operate in good faith. We believe that FDA’s response misrepresents the intent of our legislative proposals and we strongly disagree with their allegation that our proposed legislation would weaken their regulatory oversight of cosmetics.
“We urge the Agency to return to the table so we can continue to work together to build consensus that is necessary to these discussions. We all share in the common goal of protecting consumers – in fact; product safety is the cornerstone of all that this industry represents.
“Personal care products companies have a significant and long-standing commitment to product safety and scientific innovation. We make substantial investments in science, research and technology confirming the safety of our products. We earn the trust of more than 300 million families who count on our products to improve their health, well-being and quality of life.
“Despite continued erroneous reports questioning the safety of cosmetics and personal care products, the fact remains that these products are among the safest category regulated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). In fact, the most recent statistics from 2012 show that there were 381 adverse reactions reported by consumers to the FDA out of the more than 11 billion products sold in the U.S. A majority of those were due to mild allergic reactions. To infer that cosmetics are dangerous is both reckless and counter-productive to addressing public health concerns.
“Both the FDA and the personal care products industry have invested significant time and resources in working to create a contemporary regulatory system for our industry. This system provides an enhanced and transparent role for the Agency, provides the regulatory certainty that fosters growth and innovation for cosmetic and personal care products companies, and strengthens consumer confidence in the safety of our products.
“Regardless of whether the FDA chooses to return to the table, the personal care products industry will continue to work diligently to ensure that the families who trust and use our products continue to have the choices they want, the products they trust, and the confidence in their safety. We will work with Congress to pursue meaningful solutions.”