Lezlee Westine, President and CEO, the Personal Care Products Council, Expresses Deep Condolences on the Death of a True Trailblazer, Sen. Dianne Feinstein

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS:     

Lisa Powers, powersl@personalcarecouncil.org, (202) 297-1232
Stefanie Harrington, harringtons@personalcarecouncil.org, (202) 615-6558

Lezlee Westine, President and CEO, the Personal Care Products Council, Expresses Deep Condolences on the Death of a True Trailblazer, Sen. Dianne Feinstein

WASHINGTON – “The Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) honors the contributions and legacy of Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) who shattered glass ceilings as the longest-serving woman in the U.S. Senate. She was a woman of many firsts, and as a native Californian, I can attest to the trails she blazed for women both in the state and nationwide.

“She changed the dynamic and face of the institution. She was the first woman to chair major committees in the Senate and governed from the center, championing equity and inclusion not just for women but also LGBTQ+ rights and other underserved populations.

“Sen. Feinstein spearheaded fruitful conversations about the importance of modernizing cosmetics and personal care products regulation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and we are honored to have worked with her.

“Our industry and nation will greatly miss her and her leadership. My thoughts are with her family, loved ones and members of her staff as we all grieve this loss.”

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Founded in 1894, the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) is the voice and advocate for 600 member companies representing the $529.3 billion global cosmetics and personal care products industry. PCPC’s members represent approximately 90% of the U.S. beauty industry and are some of the most beloved and trusted brands in beauty and personal care today. As manufacturers, distributors and suppliers of a diverse range of products millions of consumers rely on every day – from sunscreens, toothpaste and shampoo to moisturizer, makeup and fragrance – PCPC’s member companies are global leaders committed to safety, quality and innovation. 

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Statement by Lezlee Westine, President and CEO, Personal Care Products Council, on the Reintroduction of the SHOP SAFE Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS:     

Lisa Powers, powersl@personalcarecouncil.org, (202) 297-1232
Stefanie Harrington, harringtons@personalcarecouncil.org, (202) 615-6558

Statement by Lezlee Westine, President and CEO, Personal Care Products Council, on the Reintroduction of the SHOP SAFE Act

Washington, D.C. — “The Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) and our member companies appreciate U.S. Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) for introducing the Stopping Harmful Offers on Platforms by Screening Against Fakes in E-Commerce (SHOP SAFE) Act of 2023. We strongly support its passage.

“E-commerce platforms create opportunities for legitimate companies to grow and reach new consumers, providing 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 protections 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 for doing so. The SHOP SAFE Act 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 e-commerce platforms comply with U.S. laws and regulations. Legislation should also establish a minimum threshold for submission and validation of identification, banking and product authentication documentation to provide consumers greater confidence 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 the online sale of counterfeit products and establish stronger consumer protections.”

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Founded in 1894, the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) is the voice and advocate for 600 member companies representing the $529.3 billion global cosmetics and personal care products industry. PCPC’s members represent approximately 90% of the U.S. beauty industry and are some of the most beloved and trusted brands in beauty and personal care today. As manufacturers, distributors and suppliers of a diverse range of products millions of consumers rely on every day – from sunscreens, toothpaste and shampoo to moisturizer, makeup and fragrance – PCPC’s member companies are global leaders committed to safety, quality and innovation. 

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Advocating for the Future

Karin Ross
EVP, Government Affairs
PCPC

For more than a decade, the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) and our member companies worked diligently with a bipartisan group of congressional leaders and a diverse group of stakeholders to modernize and enhance the effectiveness of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) regulatory authority over our sector and to provide the safety reassurances that consumers expect and deserve.

We are thrilled that the long-awaited and bipartisan Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) was passed and enacted this past December. This historic legislation modernized FDA oversight of cosmetics and personal care products, giving the FDA significant new authorities and regulatory tools that promote product safety and innovation for our science-driven industry and reinforcing consumer confidence.

But there is more work to be done. The FDA needs funding to fully implement these critical provisions. The message from member companies, PCPC and the Professional Beauty Association to Capitol Hill this month was clear and urgent: we support the $7 million in the Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act to empower the FDA to fully implement MoCRA. Representatives met with members of Congress, including chairs, vice chairs and members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, to urge Congress to help the FDA realize the full potential of MoCRA and its public health mission. A lack of funding now would undermine more than a decade of bipartisan effort. 

These Lobby Days give us an opportunity to have meaningful conversations with Congress that highlight the work our members do every day to promote the safety and well-being of their employees, consumers and communities. Our member companies are proud of the work they do to advance industry efforts, and we welcome the opportunity to share our priorities for the future with policymakers. Beyond the funding of MoCRA implementation, we encouraged members of Congress to continue to eliminate trade barriers for cosmetics and personal care products sold worldwide and to support critical legislation on a number of issues:

  • Humane Cosmetics Act – We applaud S. House of Representatives by Reps. Don Beyer (D-Va.), Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), Ken Calvert (R-Calif.) and Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.) for the reintroduction of this legislation, which would prohibit animal testing of cosmetics and their ingredients and prohibit the sale in the United States of cosmetics that have been tested on animals.
  • 45B Tip Tax Credit – This legislation would extend the credit to beauty service establishments and their employees. An existing tip tax credit is currently only available to restaurants.
  • CROWN Act – This bill prevents workplace discrimination based on characteristics such as hair texture and styles.
  • SHOP SAFE Act – This bill prevents the sale of counterfeit products.

To top it all off, we celebrated the launch of the Congressional Cosmetics Caucus, a bipartisan forum chaired by Reps. Linda Sanchez and Nicole Malliotakis, to build awareness and dialogue on the cosmetics and personal care industry’s important issues.

Our advocacy efforts always promote policies that benefit the millions of consumers who trust and rely on our industry’s products. Last year marked a major milestone with MoCRA’s passage, and we look forward to working with policymakers and NGO partners to build on that effort in the 118th Congress and beyond. 

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Statement by President & CEO Lezlee Westine: The Personal Care Products Council Celebrates Launch and Bipartisan Leadership of Congressional Cosmetics Caucus

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS:     

Lisa Powers, powersl@personalcarecouncil.org, (202) 297-1232
Stefanie Harrington, harringtons@personalcarecouncil.org, (202) 615-6558

Statement by President & CEO Lezlee Westine: The Personal Care Products Council Celebrates Launch and Bipartisan Leadership of Congressional Cosmetics Caucus

WASHINGTON – “Today is a landmark day as we celebrate the new Congressional Cosmetics Caucus, co-chaired by Reps. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) and Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.). This bipartisan group is dedicated to building awareness about important issues that impact the cosmetics and personal care products industry and highlighting the sector’s significant contributions to the U.S. economy and society.

“Our industry provides nearly 4 million U.S. jobs, drives innovation and empowers women, who comprise close to 80% of our workforce. With an unprecedented number of women in Congress, the Caucus has a unique opportunity to promote policies, programs and initiatives that support this dynamic and growing industry, addressing key bipartisan issues such as product safety, job growth, regulatory reform, sustainability, innovation, and diversity, equity and inclusion—all vital to our society’s success. The Caucus will also serve as a platform to educate Congressional leaders about the industry’s scientific sophistication and commitment to sound science, dedication to safety and significant economic contributions.

“We wholeheartedly endorse the Caucus’ mission and commend Reps. Sanchez and Malliotakis for their leadership. Our industry is fully committed to working alongside them to advance policies that will propel the industry’s growth and science-based innovation—while ensuring the safety and well-being of our consumers and workforce. We look forward to collaborating with Caucus members to advance industry efforts. Together, we can make a transformative impact.”

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Founded in 1894, the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) is the voice and advocate for 600 member companies representing the $529.3 billion global cosmetics and personal care products industry. PCPC’s members represent approximately 90% of the U.S. beauty industry and are some of the most beloved and trusted brands in beauty and personal care today. As manufacturers, distributors and suppliers of a diverse range of products millions of consumers rely on every day – from sunscreens, toothpaste and shampoo to moisturizer, makeup and fragrance – PCPC’s member companies are global leaders committed to safety, quality and innovation. 

More from PCPC

Statement by the Personal Care Products Council in Support of the Bipartisan Humane Cosmetics Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACTS:     

Lisa Powers, powersl@personalcarecouncil.org, (202) 297-1232
Stefanie Harrington, harringtons@personalcarecouncil.org, (202) 615-6558

Statement by the Personal Care Products Council in Support of the Bipartisan Humane Cosmetics Act

WASHINGTON – “The Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) and our member companies strongly support the Humane Cosmetics Act reintroduced today in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Don Beyer (D-Va.), Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), Ken Calvert (R-Calif.) and Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.). We applaud these members of Congress for driving a significant bipartisan effort that sets the stage for eliminating new cosmetics animal testing in favor of innovative, scientifically advanced safety assessments.

“The Humane Cosmetics Act prohibits animal testing of cosmetics and their ingredients and prohibits the sale in the United States of cosmetics that have been tested on animals. This reintroduction builds on the decades’ long effort by industry and stakeholders to promote non-animal alternatives. For nearly four decades, both in the U.S. and globally, our member companies have been instrumental in the movement to develop viable alternative safety assessment methods, and we will continue to work towards this important charge.

“PCPC and our member companies have worked with policy makers to achieve regulatory and scientific advancements that will move the world closer to eliminating the need for animals in product safety testing. Our industry has been at the forefront of the ambitious goal to eliminate animal testing and has long advocated for government recognition and acceptance of non-animal testing methods for product safety. The bill includes select exemptions for products that undergo animal testing mandated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or other international regulators.

“PCPC stands united with a diverse coalition of stakeholders to support a uniform, humane standard for animal welfare and cosmetics safety. PCPC works closely with the International Cooperation on Cosmetic Regulation (ICCR), International Cooperation on Alternative Test Methods (ICATM) and the International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety (ICCS) in an effort to advance science and encourage global adoption of alternative methods for safety assessments. Launched in February 2023 with the support of approximately 40 cosmetics brand manufacturers and ingredient suppliers, international industry associations and animal rights NGOs, ICCS is committed to the adoption of animal-free safety assessments for cosmetics and personal care products and their ingredients.

“We look forward to working with animal welfare groups, including the Humane Society of the United States, and members of Congress to enact this important legislation to protect animal welfare while ensuring the safety of these innovative products that consumers trust and rely on every day.”

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Founded in 1894, the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) is the voice and advocate for 600 member companies representing the $529.3 billion global cosmetics and personal care products industry. PCPC’s members represent approximately 90% of the U.S. beauty industry and are some of the most beloved and trusted brands in beauty and personal care today. As manufacturers, distributors and suppliers of a diverse range of products millions of consumers rely on every day – from sunscreens, toothpaste and shampoo to moisturizer, makeup and fragrance – PCPC’s member companies are global leaders committed to safety, quality and innovation. 

More from PCPC

Op-Ed by Lezlee Westine, President & CEO, Personal Care Products Council, on Senate Appropriations Act

This op-ed originally appeared in Real Clear Policy on Sept. 12, 2023.

Congress: Fund the FDA to Fully Bring Cosmetics Reform to Life

Cosmetics and personal care products companies provide American consumers with safe, effective products that enhance their health, well-being and overall quality of life. Whether for toothpaste, cleansing and moisturizing products or color cosmetics, the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) and our member companies are firmly committed to ensuring safe and effective products through robust scientific research and development. 

For more than a decade, PCPC and our members have advocated for federal regulatory cosmetics reform by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The 2022 passage of the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) modernizes FDA oversight of cosmetics and personal care products, and creates a comprehensive and uniform national framework for regulating these products.  This landmark legislation gives the FDA significant new authorities and regulatory tools that promote product safety and preserve innovation for the science-driven beauty and personal care industry and reinforces consumer confidence in products they trust and enjoy every day. 

Although PCPC member companies have long provided more product information than is required by law, manufacturers are now obligated to maintain records of adverse events and report serious events under MoCRA. Facilities producing cosmetics in the U.S. must register with the FDA, listing each product, its ingredients and manufacturing location. They are also required to substantiate the safety of their products through well-documented records. Product labels must identify potential allergens and include contact information to report potential adverse events. MoCRA also gives the FDA new enforcement capabilities, including the authority to suspend a facility’s registration and recall products that may pose a serious health risk.

But our work is not done. The FDA needs funding to implement these critical provisions. PCPC’s message to Capitol Hill is clear and urgent: we support the $7 million in the Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act to empower the FDA to fully implement MoCRA. Together with the Professional Beauty Association and its more than 100,000 members, we are calling on Congress to help the FDA realize the full potential of MoCRA and its public health mission. A lack of funding now would undermine more than a decade of bipartisan effort. 

The beauty and personal care industry is dedicated to consumer safety, product innovation and scientific excellence. We urge Congress to act quickly to provide the FDA with the resources it needs to fulfill MoCRA’s promise. Now is the time to make this promise a reality.

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