Statement from the Personal Care Products Council on Sunscreen Regulations in COVID-19 Legislation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CONTACTS:

Lisa Powers, (202) 297-1232, powersl@personalcarecouncil.org
Jamie Kurke, (202) 258-5285, kurkej@personalcarecouncil.org

Washington, D.C. – “Today, President Trump signed into law the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” (“CARES Act”), which provides emergency assistance and health care response for individuals, families and businesses affected by the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Included in the legislation is over-the-counter (OTC) drug reform, which impacts how sunscreens are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“In the U.S., FDA regulates OTCs under a monograph system, which establishes various requirements for approval, including the safety and effectiveness of active ingredients in sunscreens.  The legislation retains the regulations in the final monograph issued in 1999, which, among other things, confirms that active ingredients currently used in sunscreens on the market today are generally recognized as safe and effective (GRASE).

“Because of their well-established role in protecting public health, the significant benefits sunscreens provide should be appropriately weighed against any potential risks. We support FDA’s commitment to ensuring that sunscreens are safe and effective for their intended use. We are confident that currently marketed sunscreens are safe and effective based on the long history of safe use of these products in the United States and around the world, the breadth of existing safety data, and the established benefits sunscreens provide.

“The dangers of sun exposure are clear and universally recognized by dermatologists and other public health professionals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the Skin Cancer Foundation and health care professionals worldwide emphasize the important role of sunscreen use as part of a safe sun regimen.

“Skin cancer is a significant, and largely preventable, public health concern. Our industry’s goal continues to be to help consumers make informed decisions and use sunscreen as an important part of an overall safe sun program. We are proud that our industry offers innovative sunscreen products that help protect consumers from the harmful effects of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays.

“Ultimately, having an array of safe and effective sunscreen active ingredients allows sunscreen manufacturers to formulate products that meet the differing needs of individuals and their families.  Ensuring that consumers have access to these products containing a broad variety of sunscreen active ingredients is critical and an important contribution to FDA’s public health mission.”

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For more information on cosmetics and personal care products, please visit www.CosmeticsInfo.org.

Based in Washington, D.C., the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) is the leading national trade association representing global cosmetics and personal care products companies. Founded in 1894, PCPC’s approximately 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 and trust every day – from sunscreens, toothpaste and shampoo to moisturizer, lipstick and fragrance – personal care products companies are global leaders committed to product safety, quality and innovation.

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Message from President & CEO Lezlee Westine about COVID-19, March 20, 2020

We live in uncertain times, but one thing that is certain is the Personal Care Products Council’s commitment and service to its member companies and the families that trust and use their products every day. Our member companies are working to do their part to help mitigate this global crisis. As an industry dedicated to safety, we understand the importance of credible, factual information, especially during these challenging times, and are taking this opportunity to update you on recent actions we have taken.

Keeping People Safe

Our industry takes the safety, health and well-being of our employees, the families who use our products every day, and the communities worldwide where our companies operate. We are proud to produce some of the essential products used to fight novel coronavirus, which causes COVID-19.

In an effort to comply with health authorities’ recommendations for social distancing and in an abundance of caution, PCPC closed our offices, and staff is working remotely to maintain business continuity and operational functions. We also postponed all in-person meetings and events until the current situation changes.

Each of our member companies is keeping the safety and health of their employees as their main priority. Many have instituted teleworking procedures, travel restrictions, canceling in-person meetings and other actions recommended by federal, state and local health authorities to implement prevention best practices.

Working with Government Agencies

While member companies are focused on their employees’ safety and their ability to bring to market the essential products that help fight the spread of the coronavirus and COVID-19, PCPC is working on the industry’s behalf with U.S. and foreign governments to ensure supply chain remains safe and active, and manufacturing operations are not negatively impacted by COVID-19 mitigation requirements and restrictions. For example, we recently worked with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide temporary guidance giving manufacturers flexibility to meet the demand for alcohol-based hand sanitizer products to increase the supply available to Americans.

Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Companies Doing Their Part

In addition to ensuring product safety and business continuity, cosmetics and personal care products companies continue their commitment to giving back to their communities.

Some member companies are switching production in some of their factories to increase the production of hand sanitizer and other essential products to ease shortages of these critical products. Millions of units of essential products are being provided to hospitals, partner pharmacies, food distribution organizations and others. Those who provide product to beauty industry businesses are relaxing or freezing payments so those businesses can maintain their operations. Many companies are also making generous donations and investments to help support the recovery from the impact of the pandemic.

Helpful Resources

In light of growing concerns over the spread of COVID-19, we hope these resources will help you navigate the best way to protect the health and well-being of you, your family and your community:

We will provide regular updates on this page as the situation changes.

We hope you, your families and your communities stay healthy and safe during these trying times.

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What is World Water Day?

Alexandra Kowcz
Chief Scientist, Personal Care Products Council

World Water Day is celebrated every year on March 22 to help raise awareness for our need to better mitigate our use of this finite resource, which is fundamental to human well-being and only renewable when carefully managed.

The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), launched in 2015, include a target to ensure everyone has access to safe water by 2030. Today, 3 in 10 people lack access to safe drinking water worldwide.1 Industry, government, academia, and civil society have all identified water shortages as a top global risk.

Recognizing clean, accessible water is essential for life, SDG #6 aims to address the economics and poor infrastructure that leaves millions of people, including children, without access to clean water.2 Fortunately, great progress has been made over the last decade; more than 90% of the world’s population now has access to improved sources of drinking water.3

However, as the global population grows, so will the demand for water; more people means more food production. Agriculture accounts for 70% of water withdrawals worldwide, making it by far the largest consumer of water.4 Therefore, to use water more responsibly, we must continue to identify solutions to protect our oceans and wetlands; implement new agricultural irrigation techniques; develop novel approaches to capturing and storing water; and increase the safe reuse of wastewater.

While the beauty and personal care sector is not a particularly water intensive industry, water is used in product formulations, in the manufacturing process, and by consumers when they use or remove products. Understanding the critical need for water conservation, numerous companies within the sector are learning how to do more with less and drive greater efficiency with their use of water across all aspects of a product’s lifecycle.

With ambitious public targets to reduce water consumption and improve efficiency in operations, AmorePacific, BASF, Burt’s Bees, Colgate-Palmolive, Croda, Edgewell, Givaudan, Henkel, Firmenich, IFF, KAO, L’Oréal, P&G, and Unilever have all implemented strategies that include tools to measure water use by function (cleaning, lavatories, steam heat, and cooling); closed-loop cooling systems; rainwater harvesting systems; and methods to optimize industrial processes to reduce or eliminate the need to source water from external water networks or operate with “dry” factories.

In addition to industry’s efforts to conserve water in operations, many companies are developing “Water-Smart” products, or products formulated to use less water, for instance:

  • Unilever’s Love Beauty and Planet line uses fast-rinse technology in its conditioners, saving time and water.
  • P&G and Henkel are promoting dry shampoo formulations, which enable consumers to go longer between washes; P&G’s waterless shampoo brands Gemz and EC30 go beyond preserving hair between washes.
  • Shiseido has developed a new rinse aid technology, adapted for a foaming facial wash, that reduces water required for rinsing by 35%.

Of course, each of us can also take actions that will make a big difference including:

  • Keep your showers to under 5 minutes.
  • Turn off the water to brush your teeth.
  • Only run the washing machine and dishwasher when you have a full load.
  • Use a low flow shower head and faucet aerators.
  • Install a dual flush or low flow toilet or put a conversion kit on your existing toilet.
  • Don’t overwater your lawn or water during peak periods; install rain sensors on irrigation systems.
  • Monitor your water usage on your water bill.
  • Clean up debris along waterways, lakes, creeks, ponds, streams, or other water sources.
  • Plant trees and native plants along water sources to help prevent erosion.

This year, as we celebrate World Water Day, let us focus our attention on how we can more equitably share, conserve and respect water’s essential role in the preservation of all living things.

Source: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/water-and-sanitation/

 

To find out more about Goal #6 and the other Sustainable Development Goals, visit http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment.

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1 https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/12-07-2017-2-1-billion-people-lack-safe-drinking-water-at-home-more-than-twice-as-many-lack-safe-sanitation

2 https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg6

3 https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/water-and-sanitation/

4 http://www.fao.org/3/a-i7959e.pdf

Resources:

https://www.worldwaterday.org/2020-home/learn/
https://www.un.org/en/actnow/resources.shtml
https://www.unwater.org/world-water-day-2020-water-and-climate-change/
https://www.un.org/en/actnow/resources.shtml

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Making Progress for Women … And the World

Lezlee Westine
President & CEO, Personal Care Products Council

The cosmetics and personal care products industry celebrates women every day of the year, and our commitment to well-being starts with our support for women in work and in life.

International Women’s Day (IWD), global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, gives us an opportunity to reflect on our commitment to women. We fundamentally support that an equal world is an empowered world. Our industry agrees that we must challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women’s achievements.

From Estée Lauder to Madam CJ Walker to Elizabeth Arden to Jo Malone to a new generation of female founders emerging today, no industry has as many female success stories as the beauty and personal care industry. Today, more than half our executives are women.  Women make up nearly two-thirds of our workforce, and women of color are leading voices. Our companies’ efforts for women in the workforce are recognized by Top Companies for Executive Women, Working Mother’s 100 Best Companies and Forbes’ America’s Best Employers for Women.

Our industry’s commitment to women and the world around us is unparalleled. As part of our commitment to providing products that enhance quality of life, companies make a significant and positive social impact that goes far beyond the direct benefits of their products. They support a wide range of CSR programs, issues, and causes that improve lives and make communities better. Companies in the beauty and personal care sector are generous charitable donors; per $1 million of sales, their annual charitable contributions are more than double the national average for other major industry sectors.

From the industry’s signature program, Look Good…Feel Better that helps people with cancer improve their self-esteem and confidence by helping them manage the appearance related side effects of cancer treatment, to programs supporting women’s empowerment and leadership; promoting STEM education and careers for women; initiatives addressing domestic violence; supporting breast cancer awareness, detection and treatment; campaigns promoting self-esteem; and programs tackling racial bias, our industry’s commitment to women and the world around them is strong.

International Women’s Day throughout its history has witnessed significant change and attitudinal shifts in both women’s and society’s thoughts about women’s equality and emancipation. The same is true for the personal care products industry. Our member companies are constantly adapting, not only to meet consumer preferences but also to help shape the future.

We know women expect a lot from us and want us to take action and to continuously improve our products and practices. While we are proud of the progress we have made, we know there is more to do. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we celebrate the progress we have all made together and continue our commitment to supporting women and the world around them.

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Statement by Lezlee Westine, President and CEO On the Introduction of Stopping Harmful Offers on Platforms by Screening Against Fakes in E-Commerce Act of 2020 (SHOP SAFE Act of 2020)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CONTACTS:

Lisa Powers, (202) 297-1232, powersl@personalcarecouncil.org
Jamie Kurke, (202) 258-5285, kurkej@personalcarecouncil.org

Washington, D.C. — “The Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) and its member companies appreciate Judiciary Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Ranking Member Doug Collins (R-GA), and Reps. Hank Johnson (D-GA) and Martha Roby (R-AL) for introducing H.R. 6058, the Stopping Harmful Offers on Platforms by Screening Against Fakes in E-Commerce Act of 2020 (SHOP SAFE Act 2020), and we strongly support its passage.

“Ecommerce platforms create opportunities for legitimate companies to grow and reach new consumers and provide them with more choices and greater convenience. However, the current structure is vulnerable to exploitation and contributes significantly to a rise in illicit trade. Counterfeit personal care products damage businesses, disregard regulatory protection and more importantly threaten consumers’ health and safety.

“Consumers should have the same assurance that the products they purchase online are as safe and effective as the products they purchase in a brick and mortar store. Our member companies invest substantial resources to ensure the safety and quality of their products and U.S. laws hold our members accountable to do so. Passing the SHOP SAFE Act of 2020 would even the playing field.

“We encourage Congress to establish a system that makes online marketplaces and others responsible for ensuring that products on their platforms comply with U.S. laws and regulations. Legislation should also increase the requirements necessary for third-party sellers via ecommerce by establishing a minimum threshold for submission and validation of identification, banking and product authentication documentation. This will provide consumers greater assurance that the products they purchase are authentic and safe.

“We look forward to working with Members of Congress and other stakeholders to raise awareness and develop solutions to combat counterfeit products online and establish strong consumer protections.”

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For more information on cosmetics and personal care products, please visit www.CosmeticsInfo.org.

Based in Washington, D.C., the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) is the leading national trade association representing global cosmetics and personal care products companies. Founded in 1894, PCPC’s approximately 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 and trust every day – from sunscreens, toothpaste and shampoo to moisturizer, lipstick and fragrance – personal care products companies are global leaders committed to product safety, quality and innovation.

More from PCPC

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Beauty and Personal Care Industry Leaders Gather During Annual Meeting to Envision a More Sustainable World for Beauty

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS:

Lisa Powers, (202) 297-1232, powersl@personalcarecouncil.org
Jamie Kurke, (202) 258-5285, kurkej@personalcarecouncil.org

Palm Beach, Fla. – More than 300 cosmetics and personal care products executives, suppliers and media professionals gather this week at the Personal Care Products Council’s (PCPC) 126th Annual Meeting at The Breakers. As is tradition, attendees will reflect on the beauty industry’s challenges and opportunities with a special focus this year on sustainability.

In celebration of the launch of PCPC’s sustainability initiative, including publication of the first ever industry sustainability report, this year’s meeting theme is “Envisioning a More Sustainable World for Beauty.” The program highlights important issues of the day, particularly around trust and reputation; environmental impacts; and social and economic issues driving public discourse. This year we are honored to be joined by world-renowned experts who will deliver keynote presentations and lead panel discussions on the following topics:

  • Richard Edelman, Edelman, discussing the 2020 Edelman Trust Barometer
  • Michael Maslansky, Maslansky + Partners, discussing consumer research and insights
  • Andea Campbell, Condé Nast, presenting on the future of beauty, featuring a panel with Maya Penn, Maya’s Ideas; Tom Szaky, TerraCycle; Esi Eggleston Bracey, Unilever; moderated by Samhita Mukhopadhyay, Teen Vogue
  • Alex Lorestani, Geltor, on designing beauty using biology
  • Ken Cook, EWG, on the importance of collaboration between industry and NGOs
  • Tom Szaky, TerraCycle, explains the dynamics and economics of waste
  • Pamela Alabaster, Centric Brands, moderates a panel on sustainability, featuring Andrea Flynn, The Estée Lauder Companies; Jerry Vittoria, Firmenich; and Chris Sayner, Croda
  • Marie La France, Dash Hudson, discussing AI and social media
  • Carol Cone, Carol Cone ON PURPOSE, leading a discussion with Kelly Vanasse, P&G, and Andrea Flynn, The Estée Lauder Companies, on brand purpose and authenticity

“We are very proud of the efforts our member companies are making in the sustainable management of their businesses,” said PCPC President and CEO Lezlee Westine, “but we recognize there is more we can do to ensure a more beautiful and sustainable world for us all.” Westine shared her hope that this year’s Annual Meeting would provide cosmetics and personal care products professionals from around the world the rare opportunity to come together to share best practices and forged new partnerships.

George Calvert, PhD, PCPC Board of Directors Chair and Amway Chief Supply Chain Officer, shared Westine’s enthusiasm for the personal care products industry’s bright and sustainable future.

“We are proud of how our commitment to healthy people and a healthy planet is reflected in the work of our members and our association,” said Calvert. “Our constant pursuit of improved sustainability is both good business and good stewardship. For years to come, our collective efforts will advance our industry’s reputation, create new opportunities for our teams, drive growth, and make a positive impact on the world.”

Joining Calvert on PCPC’s Board of Directors are the following newly elected officials:

Vice Chairs:

Esi Eggleston Bracey, EVP & COO, N.A., Beauty and Personal Care, Unilever

David Greenberg, Group President of Professional Products Division, N.A., L’Oréal

Alex Keith, CEO, P&G Beauty

Kathy Widmer, Company Group Chairman, N.A., J&J Consumer Products

Secretary:

Andrew Stanleick, Senior Vice President, N.A., Coty

Treasurer:

David Holl, President & CEO, Mary Kay Inc.

To learn more about PCPC’s 2020 Annual Meeting, visit our website. Follow our Annual Meeting updates on Twitter at @PCPC_News and using #SustainableBeauty2020. For more information about cosmetics and personal care products, please visit www.CosmeticsInfo.org.

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For more information on cosmetics and personal care products, please visit www.CosmeticsInfo.org.

Based in Washington, D.C., the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) is the leading national trade association representing global cosmetics and personal care products companies. Founded in 1894, PCPC’s approximately 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 and trust every day – from sunscreens, toothpaste and shampoo to moisturizer, lipstick and fragrance – personal care products companies are global leaders committed to product safety, quality and innovation.

More from PCPC