Study Finds Personal Care Products Industry Major Contributor to U.S. Economy

Today, the Personal Care Products Council (the Council) released a new study by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on the economic and social contributions of the personal care products industry in the United States. The study found the industry is one of the most dynamic and innovative industries driving the U.S. economy.

“In addition to the many tangible benefits our companies offer to consumers, the cosmetics and personal care products industry is directly responsible for creating American jobs,” said Lezlee Westine, President and CEO of the Personal Care Products Council.  “We are proud to support the economy, contribute to social and environmental programs and meet the needs of American families.”

To better understand the value of these contributions, the Council engaged PwC to measure the industry’s economic and social impact, using the most recent government data. Key findings of the study include:

  • The personal care products industry strengthens the U.S. economy.  In 2013, the industry added nearly $237 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product (GDP), and supported 3.6 million domestic jobs that earned $144 billion in wages and incomes through its direct, indirect and induced contributions.
  • Industry contributes to a strong export economy. In 2014, the personal care products industry exported nearly $17 billion, contributing nearly $6 billion to the nation’s surplus while the overall U.S. manufacturing sector experienced trade deficits.
  • Industry helps small business owners thrive. Over two-thirds of the total employment in the industry is in small businesses with less than 50 employees.
  • Women, including women with diverse backgrounds, are at the heart of the industry. The share of management positions held by women in the personal care products industry is higher than the U.S. average.  Women and those with diverse backgrounds account for nearly 74 percent of all industry employment and 61 percent of management positions.
  • Significant research and development investment drives innovation.  Cosmetics manufacturers invest nearly $3 billion in research and development annually and continue to provide consumers an array of innovative, high-quality products.  The industry employs approximately 6,000 scientific and technical professionals dedicated to ensuring product and ingredient safety.

“Every day, millions of families around the world trust and rely on personal care products to improve their health and well-being and to enhance their daily lives,” said Westine. “This study confirms that communities across the country rely on the industry’s economic and social contributions to support jobs and spur economic growth.”

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Global Beauty Industry Laser Focused on Digital and Consumer Trends, International Collaboration and Other Key Topics at Personal Care Products Council’s 122nd Annual Meeting

More than 400 industry leaders are gathered this week in Palm Beach, Fla., to eye future business trends, address business opportunities, discuss issues facing the industry globally, and to elect new officers.

“Industry thought leaders from across the globe come to our Annual Meeting to set priorities, consider industry challenges and opportunities, and to collaborate on ways to continue to provide safe, innovative products to families around the world,” said Council President and CEO Lezlee Westine. “We are thrilled with the line-up of impressive speakers and thought-provoking content and continue to hear why this meeting is such an important annual event,” she said.

The 2016 line-up of speakers includes: keynote speaker, John Gerzema, author, strategist and consultant; guest speakers: Bruce Mehlman and David Castagnetti, Partners at Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas; Eva Press, US Group Lead, Consumer Packaged Goods, Facebook; Greg Coleman, President of BuzzFeed; Sebastian Tomich, Senior Vice President, Advertising & Innovation, The New York Time and Amee Chande, Managing Director for the UK of the Alibaba Group.

The Council unveiled its new Economic and Social Contributions Study, which reinforces that the global beauty industry significantly contributes to America’s economic strength, provides professional opportunities for women, supports meaningful social and environmental programs and meets the needs of American families. In addition, Westine highlighted the Council’s work with policymakers and key stakeholders to introduce bi-partisan cosmetics reform and pass of the federal microbeads bill.

The Council also announced the re-election of Board Chair Thia Breen, Group President of North America for The Estée Lauder Companies.

“Over the past year and under Thia’s leadership, our association has achieved many imperative strategic goals—from working with policymakers and key stakeholders on the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 to promoting our industry’s commitment to product safety, quality and innovation. We continue to focus on our companies’ commitment to consumers,” said Westine.

In her speech to members, Breen stated, “2015 was a positive year for us and underscored the importance of working collaboratively to make progress,” said Breen. “Our goal is to build on that momentum in 2016 so that we can inspire a beautiful future for our customers, our industry, and our communities around the world.”

The Council also elected the following officers:

Vice Chairs:

George Calvert, Chief Supply Chain and R&D Officer, Amway

Karen Fondu, President, L’Oréal Paris

Alex Keith, President Global Beauty, Procter & Gamble

Secretary: Robert Candelino, VP Marketing/General Manager Haircare, Unilever

Treasurer: David Holl, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mary Kay Cosmetics

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Industry Veteran Elizabeth Anderson to Leave Position as General Counsel; Trade Association Promotes Thomas Myers to Top Legal Position

Elizabeth (Betsy) Anderson will be leaving her position as general counsel from the Personal Care Products Council, effective May 29. Anderson joined the association’s legal team in 1996, holding both assistant and associate general counsel positions before being promoted to general counsel in 2006.  

Throughout her tenure, Anderson has served as a trusted advisor to several CEOs and served as an important member of the executive leadership team, advocating on behalf of the cosmetics and personal care industry before federal and state regulators in the areas of OTC labeling, combination colors, sunscreens and antimicrobials. Her accomplishments include receiving the 2014 Distinguished Service & Leadership Award from the Food & Drug Law Institute (FDLI) as well as serving as Chair of FDLI’s Board of Directors.

“We very much appreciate Betsy’s leadership and commitment to the Council over the last 19 years,” said Lezlee Westine, President and CEO. “She has been an invaluable member of our executive leadership team and has helped the Council become one of the most effective trade associations in Washington. We will miss her greatly,” said Westine.

Succeeding Anderson as general counsel will be Thomas Myers, currently the organization’s associate general counsel.

Myers is currently responsible for handling legal and regulatory issues facing the cosmetics industry, particularly in the area of environmental law. Before joining the Council, Myers was Counsel at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and he has more than a decade of experience in private law practice, where he worked for the international law firms Jones Day and Greenberg Traurig.   

“I am confident that Tom will be an excellent addition to our executive leadership team,” said Westine. “He is a strong and experienced professional with sound judgement and an unwavering commitment to our industry.”

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Personal Care Products Council Announces New Board Chair at 2015 Annual Meeting–Thia Breen, Group President of North America for The Estée Lauder Companies, Assumes New Position, Vice Chairs Elected

The Personal Care Products Council announced today the election of its new board officers, including its new Chair, Thia Breen, Group President of North America for The Estée Lauder Companies.  Ms. Breen has built a dynamic career in the beauty industry and currently leads 30 brands in the U.S. and Canada for The Estée Lauder Companies.

Breen is recognized for her thought leadership and commitment to women’s empowerment.  As an advocate for women in business, she has served as a mentor to countless women in the industry, in addition to supporting healthy work-family balance practices for members of her team.  She succeeds E. Scott Beattie, who has served as PCPC chair since 2012.

“It was an honor to serve as Board Chair of the Personal Care Products Council, and I am proud to turn the reins over to someone with such a distinguished career and strong commitment to our industry’s future,” said E. Scott Beattie, outgoing Chairman and President and CEO for Elizabeth Arden.

“Thia’s impressive accomplishments and strong leadership will continue to serve our membership as we work to advance the industry’s voice in Washington and globally,” said Lezlee Westine, PCPC President and CEO.  “I know her talent, energy and experience will strengthen our organization and I look forward to working with her,” said Westine.

Breen, the second female Board chair, has served on the board for several years, most recently as vice chair.  In addition, she serves on the board of Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) and was recently honored with the Women of Achievement award.  

“I would like to thank Scott for his work as chair and all he has done to elevate the association’s impact and influence.  I also want to recognize Lezlee for her leadership and look forward to working with our members to keep the association well-positioned and strong,” said Breen.  

The Personal Care Products Council also elected the following officers and new board members.

Vice Chairs:

George Calvert, VP and General Manager, Supply Chain, Amway

Karen Fondu, President, L’Oreal Paris

Heidi Manheimer, President and CEO, Shiseido Cosmetics America

Treasurer: David Holl, President and CEO, Mary Kay

Secretary: Pamela Baxter, President and Chief Executive Officer LVMH Perfumes & Cosmetics for North America

New board members:  Jane Iredale, President and CEO, Iredale Mineral Cosmetics and Alexandra Keith, President Beauty, Procter & Gamble

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Industry Leaders Highlight Transparency, Collaboration, Innovation at the Personal Care Products Council’s Annual Meeting

More than 400 industry leaders from across the globe gathered for the Personal Care Products Council’s 121st Annual Meeting in Palm Beach, Fla., to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the cosmetic and personal care products industry and to elect its new officers.

Council President and CEO Lezlee Westine outlined the Council’s key 2014 accomplishments, which include better transparency within the industry by communicating the scientific rigor and safety behind personal care products through multiple communications channels where consumers turn for information; working for bi-partisan support for the industry’s legislative efforts; building relationships with key and diverse stakeholders on product safety issues; and advocating for global access.

“It is imperative that our industry continue to drive the conversation about the issues affecting our companies. We must come together to set priorities and to collaborate on ways we can continue to provide safe, innovative products that families around the world use every day,” said Westine.

“This year’s conference consists of captivating speakers and panels that highlight the depth and breadth of talent in our industry. We are especially honored to welcome Ambassador Robert Holleyman, Deputy United States Trade Representative, who recognizes the importance of global market access to our industry,” said Westine.

Highlights of the 2015 Annual Meeting include:

  • Advocating for legislation that modernizes cosmetics regulation and promotes industry growth and innovation,
  • Showcasing the industry’s economic and social impacts, health and wellness benefits of member companies’ products;
  • Highlighting the industry’s efforts to empower women and minorities;
  • Continuing its focus on global harmonization; and
  • Strengthening the Council’s science-based initiatives to support the safety of cosmetics and ingredients.

Outgoing Council Chairman E. Scott Beattie, Chairman and CEO for Elizabeth Arden, said, “I am honored to have served as chairman of this organization for the past three years, and am proud to turn over a stronger PCPC organization to this new slate of officers.”

The Council’s new officers will be announced Tuesday, February 24, 2015.

The line-up of speakers include:  keynote speaker, Bert Jacobs, Co-founder, The Life is Good Company, guest speakers include: Jon Steinberg, Chief Executive Officer of DailyMail.com North America; David Rose, Instructor and Researcher at MIT Media Lab; Doug Rauch, Former President of Trader Joe’s and Alain Simon, Managing Director of the Phileas Consultancy Group.

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Food & Drug Law Institute Recognizes Council’s Chief Legal Counsel With 2014 Distinguished Service and Leadership Award — Elizabeth Anderson receives award for her contributions to food and drug law community

The Personal Care Products Council today announced its general counsel, Elizabeth (Betsy) Anderson, has received the 2014 Distinguished Service & Leadership Award from the Food & Drug Law Institute (FDLI).

First established in 1993, the annual FDLI award recognizes members of the nation’s legal community for their contributions to the development of food and drug law throughout the United States, according to the institute.

“We congratulate Betsy for receiving this very prestigious honor,” said Lezlee Westine, the Council’s President and CEO. “Betsy’s level of devotion and the integrity she puts Anderson, the Council’s Executive Vice President for Legal and General Counsel, joined the trade association in 1996.  She is responsible for managing legal issues facing the industry and providing regulatory guidance. She also serves as the Council’s staff liaison to the Legal Executive Committee, the group that directs the Association’s policy in the legal and regulatory areas.

Anderson has served as a member of the Editorial Advisory Board for the Food and Drug Law Journal and co-authored, “The Cosmetics Regulatory Process” chapter in an FDLI publication; she currently serves as Immediate Past Chair on FDLI’s Board of Directors.

Before joining the Council, Anderson was responsible for the legal and regulatory affairs of Beiersdorf, Inc., a manufacturer of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, medical devices and cosmetics in Norwalk, Connecticut.  She graduated with honors from Bowdoin College and received her law degree from Boston College Law School. Fluent in German, Anderson spent two years at the Institute of European Studies in Vienna, Austria.

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International Trade Associations for Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Industry Join Together in Support of New ICCR Website

Trade associations representing the cosmetic and personal care products industry in Canada, the European Union, Japan, the United States, Brazil and China welcome the launch of a new website focused on the International Cooperation on Cosmetics Regulation (ICCR) program.

The ICCR was established in 2007 to facilitate international cooperation among regulators of cosmetic products to maintain the highest level of global consumer protection while minimizing barriers to international trade. The ICCR is comprised of international regulatory authorities that meet annually with their relevant cosmetics industry trade associations from Canada, the United States, the European Union and Japan and also a variety of other interested stakeholders. In addition to this, regulatory and industry representatives from participating ICCR jurisdictions are actively engaged in working groups throughout the year to address technical and scientific matters. This year, regulatory agencies representing Brazil and China participated as observers for their second year at ICCR-8.  It has been estimated that together, these six jurisdictions represent more than 60% of the world’s current market for cosmetic and personal care products.

This new site will serve as an information centre about the ICCR, its meetings and outcomes for easier public access.

“This valuable tool is for all parties who want to stay informed on the important work of the ICCR,” said Darren Praznik, President and CEO of the CCTFA and 2014 Chair of the ICCR Industry Association Caucus. “It also helps to ensure other regulators are made aware of common approaches in order to maintain the highest level of safety and align regulations for trade.”

This year’s annual meeting of ICCR regulators took place in Ottawa, Canada from July 8-10.

For more information, please visit the ICCR Website at http://www.iccrnet.org/

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FDA Rule Could End Consumer Access to Antibacterial Soaps– Ban of Antibacterial Soaps Could Lead to 7.5 Million Foodborne Illnesses

Proposed rules by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could remove antibacterial soaps and body washes from store shelves – and might lead to 7.5 million new cases of foodborne illness and more than $38 billion in health care costs annually.

In an effort to maintain consumer access to the benefits of antibacterial soaps, the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) and the Personal Care Products Council, along with input from leading independent scientists, filed extensive comments with FDA on its proposed rule. The comments demonstrate to the Agency that consumer antibacterial soaps are safe, effective, and promote public health.

The FDA’s proposal could eliminate the public’s access to safe and effective antibacterial soaps, including kitchens in the home and at daycare facilities.

Antibacterial soaps “are critical to public health because of the importance hand hygiene plays in the prevention of infection,” wrote the groups in their joint June 16 comments to FDA. “Washing the hands with an antiseptic handwash can help reduce the risk of infection beyond that provided by washing with non-antibacterial soap and water.”

FDA appears to have not considered that the consumer category includes use of antibacterial soaps in public areas such as schools, airports, daycares, and other facilities. Consumer antiseptic products reduce the level of bacteria on skin, which reduces the risk of infection and disease.

Elimination of these products would put the general population at risk. For example, individuals using public restrooms would no longer have access to antiseptic hand soaps.

The Topical Antimicrobial Coalition, which comprises ACI and the Council, estimated the costs of the proposed rule – associated with preventable gastrointestinal illnesses – that would occur if antiseptic hand wash products were not available.

The number of new cases of foodborne illness caused by bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, and Campylobacter could range between 250,000 and 7.5 million, based on projections by Dr. Donald Schaffner, Professor at Rutgers University’s Food Science Department.

The groups’ comments also take issue with assertions in the proposed rule that challenge the safety of antibacterial ingredients.

“No scientific studies currently exist to demonstrate a correlation between the active ingredients considered in the proposed rule and adverse health effects on consumers. As a result, there are no measureable benefits of the proposed rule.”

In their comments to FDA, the American Cleaning Institute and the Personal Care Products Council also asked the agency to:

  • Support safety evaluation approaches that avoid or minimize animal testing.
  • Reconsider its unnecessary and unreasonable proposed testing requirements (including animal testing) for safety and effectiveness, which are unlike any other rulemakings for over-the-counter drugs such as antibacterial soaps.
  • Review available and extensive data that shows there is no correlation between antibacterial soap use and antibiotic resistance.
  • Recognize antiseptic handwashes that are used in the food industry as a distinct category that should be subject to its own monograph.

The detailed comments can be found online at www.fightgermsnow.com.

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Personal Care Products Council Appoints Beth Lange, Ph.D. as its New Chief Scientist–Industry Expert to Direct Cosmetic Industry’s Scientific Programs and Advance Safety Mission

WASHINGTON, D.C.–The Personal Care Products Council announced today that Beth Lange, Ph.D., will become the organization’s executive vice president for science and chief scientist effective July 1.  Lange replaces Halyna Breslawec, Ph.D., who officially retired on April 30. In her new role, Lange will oversee the Council’s scientific programs, technical committees and publications, and will serve as the industry’s scientific liaison for several domestic and international organizations.

“Beth’s scientific credentials and impressive industry background make her uniquely qualified to lead our scientific programs,” said Lezlee Westine, Council President & CEO.  “We are thrilled to have her join our distinguished team of scientific experts. She brings to the Council a wealth of knowledge and expertise as well as proven leadership within our industry.”

Lange joins the Council after serving as the chief scientific officer at Mary Kay Inc., a position she’s held since 2008 when she joined the company.   Lange is currently responsible for Mary Kay’s global research and development team where she oversees product development, product safety and environmental issues, analytical and stability, program management, medical science affairs, and regulatory affairs.   Lange also is responsible for the company’s global new product strategy, which includes cosmetics, fragrances, over-the-counter skin care, and devices for more than 35 countries.

As a veteran member of the cosmetics and personal care industry, Lange has held senior scientific positions at Schering-Plough, Kimberly Clark and Unilever.   

“I am eager to bring my industry experience to Washington and to work with the staff at the Council,” said Lange.  “I look forward to continuing to work with member company scientists as we further our industry’s commitment to product safety, quality and innovation.”   

 

Lange holds a Ph.D. in radiation biology from the University of Iowa, College of Medicine and a BS in nuclear medicine from Oakland University.  She has been a valued member of the Council’s Scientific Advisory Committee since 2008 and is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

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Study Demonstrates that Antibacterial Soaps Can Reduce Risk of Foodborne Illness– Research in Journal of Food Protection Finds Antibacterial Soap Significantly Reduces Risk of Illness Compared to Non-antibacterial Soap

Newly published research shows that the use of antibacterial soaps can reduce the spread of harmful bacteria – that often leads to foodborne illness – more effectively than using non-antibacterial soaps.

The research, published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Food Protection (Vol. 77, No. 4, 2014, pp. 574-582), used new laboratory data, together with simulation techniques, to compare the ability of non-antibacterial and antibacterial products to reduce the risk of the infectious disease shigellosis, which is often spread during food preparation.

Lead researcher Donald Schaffner of Rutgers University’s Department of Food Science says the data show that the use of three antibacterial wash products result in a statistically significant reduction in the presence of Shigella (the bacterium that causes shigellosis) compared to the use of the non-antibacterial soaps.

“This exciting research blends quantitative microbial risk assessments with an impressive set of laboratory data to show that antibacterial treatments are more effective than non-antibacterial treatments in reducing disease,” said Dr. Schaffner.

In the study,163 subjects were used to compare two non-antibacterial products and three antibacterial products, with a study design intended to simulate food handling.   The participants’ hands were exposed to Shigella and then treated with one of the five products before handling food melon balls. The resulting levels of Shigella on the food were then measured.

The levels of Shigella were then used to predict the outcome from an event in which 100 people would be exposed to Shigella from melon balls that had been handled by food workers with Shigella on their hands.

The data show all three antibacterial treatments significantly lowered the concentration of Shigella compared to the non-antibacterial treatments. Based on this model, the paper predicted that by washing with the antibacterial treatments, the number of illnesses could be reduced tenfold.

“This research provides strong evidence that antibacterial soaps are significantly more effective than non-antibacterial soaps in reducing Shigella on the hands and its subsequent transfer to ready-to-eat foods,” the authors write.

The American Cleaning Institute and the Personal Care Products Council provided funding for the research as part of the groups’ ongoing commitment to product and scientific stewardship to affirm the safety and benefits of these products.

An abstract summarizing the paper, “Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment of Antibacterial Hand Hygiene Products on Risk of Shigellosis,” can be found online.

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