Personal Care Products Council Announces Launch of the Personal Care Manufacturing Assessment Program (PCMAP)–Association Demonstrates Industry’s Continued Commitment to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)

The Personal Care Products Council (the Council) is pleased to announce the launch of a unique program specifically designed to assess the manufacturing processes for cosmetics and personal care products.   The Personal Care Manufacturing Assessment Program (PCMAP) was developed by the Council in partnership with SAI Global, an independent organization which provides conformity assessments for driving business improvement.  PCMAP offers the industry a unique tool to verify GMP conformance and a means for qualifying supplier capability.

The new, voluntary program demonstrates industry’s continued adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).  Based on ISO 22716, the program covers quality aspects relating to production, control, storage and shipment of cosmetic products, ingredients or packaging components with the objective of meeting defined specifications at all stages of product development.

PCMAP is a diverse program.  Six categories have been created to provide assessment guidelines to the characteristics of the following business groups:

Category 1 – Manufacturer of Over the Counter (OTC) Drug Products

Category 2 – Manufacturer of Cosmetic Products

Category 3 – Manufacturer of Active Ingredients

Category 4 – Manufacturer of Excipients

Category 5 – Manufacturer of Cosmetic Ingredients

Category 6 – Manufacturer of Packaging Components

A PCMAP white paper is now available on the Council’s website which describes how the program works.  PCMAP is the result of a collaborative effort to manage supply chain integrity led by a working group within the Council’s Quality Assurance Committee.

More from PCPC

Industry Leaders Spotlight Innovation in the Global Marketplace at the Personal Care Products Council’s 120th Annual Meeting– Newly Re-Elected Chairman Applauds Look Good Feel Better during their 25th Anniversary

Nearly 500 industry leaders from around the world have gathered at the Personal Care Products Council’s 120th Annual Meeting to discuss global business opportunities, emerging consumer trends and elect new officers, the Council announced today.

Council President and CEO Lezlee Westine said the agenda mirrored the industry’s constant efforts to improve and innovate. “Each year we try to top the previous year’s conference and we are thrilled once again to have a variety of panels and thought provoking keynote speakers to inspire our members,” said Westine.  

“One of the most exciting things to look forward to in 2014 is Look Good Feel Better’s 25th Anniversary celebration,” said Scott Beattie, President and CEO of Elizabeth Arden and Council Board Chairman. He noted how effective the Council’s Foundation has been in providing nearly 1.5 million women worldwide with unique workshops that improve cancer patients’ self-esteem and quality of life.

“We are extremely proud of the industry’s commitment to this program and are grateful for its generous support,” said Beattie during his welcoming address.

Event Highlights:

  • Keynote speaker Tony Hsieh, author of the #1 New York Times Bestseller, “Delivering Happiness” and Zappos CEO, kicked off the conference during the first all-attendee dinner.
  • Jonah Berger, James G. Campbell Associate Professor of Marketing at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania shared topline details from his research on how to craft contagious content.
  • Mary G. Berner, M.P.A., President and CEO of The Association of Magazine Media, elaborated on how to maximize marketing allocations to compete with the constant clutter consumers are showered with.  Following her discussion was a panel on how the Millennial Generation is shaping the present and owning the future.

Upcoming Events:

  • One of the General Sessions will feature two panel discussions. The first will be with Council senior staff about the continuing and emerging issues affecting the industry.  The second will be moderated by Lisa Powers, EVP of Public Affairs and Communications, on how to gain and maintain stakeholders’ trust. The discussion will feature Michael Maslansky, CEO, Maslanksy + Partners; Scott Siff, Vice Chairman Penn Schoen Berland and CEO BAV Consulting and Jennifer Cohan, Global Chair of Consumer Marketing, Edelman.
  • Rana Foroohar, Columnist, TIME; Global Economic Analyst, CNN will address patterns in the world economy that business leaders and investors should be focused on.  Her presentation will be followed by a panel discussion with executives from Mary Kay and Lubrizol regarding their individual perspectives on the international opportunities and challenges facing the industry.

Beattie, who was re-elected to a second term as Council Chairman, summarized the Council’s 2013 accomplishments, including the industry’s work with the FDA to modernize the nation’s regulatory structure.

He also noted successful efforts to promote international collaboration and said, “progress is being made, and we plan to add other long-term areas of cooperation to the agenda and expand it to other countries in due course.”

In other actions, the Council elected the following Officers:

Vice Chairmen:               Thia Breen, Estee Lauder Companies

                                            Chris Elshaw, Revlon

                                           Deb Henretta, Procter & Gamble

                                           Heidi Manheimer, Shiseido

For Secretary:              George Calvert, Amway

For Treasurer:               David Holl, Mary Kay

More from PCPC

The Personal Care Products Council Requests Public Comments on the Revised Microbiology Guideline “Cleaning and Sanitization”

The Personal Care Products Council (the Council) is requesting public comments by February 20, 2014 on the revised Microbiology Guideline “Cleaning and Sanitization.”

The Council’s Microbiology Guidelines are intended to provide manufacturers with guidance regarding establishing and maintaining microbiological quality programs within their companies.  These Guidelines are also recommended for contract packagers and suppliers of raw materials.

Each Guideline undergoes an extensive development and review process by the Council’s technical committees and scientific staff, as well as public review by member companies, nonmember companies, federal government agencies, and scientific professional societies.

An electronic copy of the draft guideline is available online. Comments should be submitted by email to John Krowka, Senior Microbiologist, krowkaj@personalcarecouncil.org.

More from PCPC

Lisa Powers Promoted to EVP for Public Affairs and Communications– Seasoned Communicator Directs Strategic Communications for Industry

The Personal Care Products Council announced today that it has promoted Lisa Powers to Executive Vice President for Public Affairs and Communications, the organization’s top communications position.

“For the past eight years, Lisa has been a tireless advocate for our member companies, their commitment to safety, quality and innovation, and the consumers who trust and use our products every day,” said Lezlee Westine, the Council’s President and CEO.  “This promotion reflects Lisa’s exceptional background in developing strategic public information initiatives, both nationally and globally, on a variety of issues facing our industry.”

Powers oversees the development and execution of strategic communications and public affairs programs including media relations, issues management and the integration of communications with the needs of the Council’s more than 600 member companies, which manufacture and distribute the majority of cosmetic and personal care products sold in the U.S.  Powers joined the organization in 2006 as Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs and was promoted to Senior Vice President in 2012.

Before joining the Council, Powers worked at the Mercury Group where she was responsible for a full spectrum of services from business development and client acquisition, to communications strategy, branding and marketing campaigns, to website and publications management.  During that time, Powers developed and executed successful communications campaigns on behalf of the agency’s key clients which included Fortune 500 companies, advocacy and trade associations, political candidates and celebrities.

Powers has served in top communications and public affairs positions throughout her career and has worked with hundreds of national and international news outlets.

She holds an M.A. in Public Affairs/Communications from American University, and a B.A. in Journalism from Temple University.

More from PCPC

Council Submits Letter to the FDA

The following letter was submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reaffirm industry’s committment to pursue an effective system of safety oversight for cosmetics.

Dear Commissioner Hamburg:

Thank you for your letter dated September 26, 2013 and for your personal commitment to continue to pursue an effective system of safety oversight for cosmetics. Our entire industry shares in that commitment.

Cosmetic and personal care products companies have a significant and long-standing commitment to product safety and scientific innovation – it is a commitment that is fundamental to our businesses. We provide many of the most trusted brands in beauty and personal care, and we take our responsibility to consumers very seriously – their trust is paramount. Furthermore, our commitment does not end here in the U.S. As global companies, we work to earn the trust and loyalty of consumers around the world.

As you know, our member companies along with our trade association, the Personal Care Products Council, have invested considerable time and resources to work with FDA staff toward a uniform national system of regulation for cosmetics, and industry has consistently advocated in Congress for increased funding for cosmetics oversight and updated cosmetics legislation. Let me personally assure you that our companies have not had a change of heart in their commitment to work with FDA, and we continue to operate in good faith. Our desire to find consensus and an agreement with the FDA is unwavering, and we hope to continue the dialogue to achieve our shared objective of one national uniform standard for cosmetics regulation.

We appreciate the opportunity to work directly with FDA, as we have done over the past nine months, and we remain committed to the Agency’s mission to protect public health through effective oversight.

I have the full commitment of our Board to continue our work with the Agency and with Congress on an agreement. We look forward to hearing from the Agency about rescheduling our meeting originally set for October 2. Thank you.

Sincerely,

  1. Scott Beattie

Chairman

Personal Care Products Council

Cc: Lezlee Westine, Personal Care Products Council

     Pamela Busiek, Independent Cosmetics Manufacturers and Distributors

More from PCPC

The Skin Cancer Foundation Honors Industry’s Commitment to Skin Cancer Education and Prevention–Personal Care Products Council Sunscreen Committee Receives Skin Sense Award for its Long Standing Work in the Fight against Skin Cancer

At its annual gala in New York City last night, The Skin Cancer Foundation honored the Personal Care Products Council’s Sunscreen Committee for its extensive work in educating the public on the importance of practicing a safe sun regimen, including daily use of sunscreens.  The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control agree that skin cancer is the leading preventable cancer, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that proper sunscreen use is a crucial step in the fight against skin cancer and premature skin aging.

The PCPC Sunscreen Committee was recognized for its work on the Skin Smart TM educational video series that offers an in-depth look at the role sunscreens play as part of an overall safe sun routine, and specifically for their interpretation of FDA’s new sunscreen labeling guidelines that were announced in December 2012.

“Tonight we recognize members of the Personal Care Products Council’s Sunscreen Committee for supporting The Skin Cancer Foundation’s mission of decreasing the incidence of skin cancer through public awareness and education,” said Perry Robins, MD, President of The Skin Cancer Foundation, to an audience of approximately 400.

“It is a profound honor to accept this prestigious award on behalf of the Personal Care Products Council Sunscreen Committee.  The Committee’s goal is to ensure that sunscreen is treated in the same manner as seatbelts — put on automatically,” said Committee Chair Farah Ahmed, who accepted the award for the group.  “Our work, along with the Skin Cancer Foundation’s, is critical and we know it has already opened the eyes of many to the dangers of the sun,” said Ahmed.

“The Centers for Disease Control, The Skin Cancer Foundation, and health care professionals around the world all emphasize the safety of sunscreens and the importance of their use as part of a safe sun regimen.  The dangers of sun exposure are clear and universally recognized by public health professionals and dermatologists. The National Institutes of Health ‘Report on Carcinogens’ identifies solar UV radiation as a ‘known human carcinogen.’ A single bad burn as a child is known to increase the skin’s susceptibility to damage and skin cancer throughout life.

“We look forward to building on the Foundation’s advocacy efforts to help make sun safety a daily priority for all,” said Ahmed.

More from PCPC

Personal Care Products Council Prepares for 2014 Annual Meeting–Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh to Kick Off 2014 Council Annual Meeting

The Personal Care Products Council will hold its 2014 Annual Meeting Sunday, February 23 to Wednesday, February 26 at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida. The program will kick off Sunday evening with a dinner for all attendees featuring a keynote address by Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh. Tony’s energy and focus on “Delivering Happiness” will set the stage for a successful, results-oriented and fun event.

Attendees will learn about Tony’s journey from a young entrepreneur to one of the most successful CEOs in the country and hear firsthand about his standard bearing commitment customer service, innovative views on corporate culture, and visionary “Downtown Project” committed to transforming downtown Las Vegas into the most community-focused large city in the world.

Jonah Berger, James G. Campbell Associate Professor of Marketing at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and author of New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller, Contagious: Why Things Catch On will address attendees on Monday, February 24 at the morning plenary session. Jonah combines groundbreaking research and powerful stories as he addresses why ideas spread, some products get more word of mouth than others, and certain online content goes viral. Through rigorous academic research, he put together a framework for crafting contagious content. His research has been published in top-tier academic journals and appeared in major news outlets.

Additional speakers will be announced over the next several weeks.

About the Council Annual Meeting

The Council’s Annual Meeting is the largest annual gathering of cosmetics and personal care industry executives, suppliers, and media professionals. More than 500 attendees will gather in Palm Beach to share insights about the global, business, and policy challenges currently facing the industry. Registration is open to all Council members.

More from PCPC

Personal Care Products Council Submits Public Comments on Reducing UV Exposure to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention– Industry Remains Committed in its Fight Against Skin Cancer

On September 4, the Personal Care Products Council (the Council) submitted public comments to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in response to the Agency’s request for information about reducing exposure to UV radiation in order to reduce skin cancer rates.

The Council’s efforts in providing scientific data to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the safety and efficacy of sunscreens as well as educating Americans on a comprehensive safe sun regimen have been significant for more than 25 years.

“Individuals of all ages and skin tones should use sunscreen daily as part of an overall safe sun regimen to reduce the risk of UV damage, including premature skin aging and skin cancer,” said Farah Ahmed, Chair, Personal Care Products Council Sunscreen Committee.  “As we continue advocating for sound science, our industry looks forward to working with the CDC and the Surgeon General in the commitment to preventing skin cancer,” Ahmed said.

The Council’s activities on educating the public about the health benefits from daily sunscreen use include:

  • Provided volumes of scientific and technical data supporting sunscreen’s ability to reduce the risk of skin aging and skin cancer when used as part of an overall safe sun program.  For the first time in 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permitted companies to communicate the skin cancer prevention benefits that these products provide.
  • Created a video series titled, Skin SmartTM to help educate the public about skin health and wellness.  The first episode of Skin Smart is meant to help consumers understand the new sunscreen labeling regulations that FDA released in 2011, as well as highlight the many forms that sunscreens take in every day personal care products.
  • Created a second Skin SmartTM episode to demonstrate how the sun’s rays can damage skin, debunk troubling myths about the safety of sunscreen ingredients, and explain the benefits of using sunscreen daily in the fight against skin cancer and premature skin aging.
  • Hosted a number of educational workshops with key opinion leaders from the dermatology community as well as sunscreen experts from industry to discuss and exchange important information regarding proper skin care, including regular use of sunscreens.  The workshops provide a forum for understanding sunscreens and sun protection from many different perspectives – photobiology, regulatory, cosmetic chemistry, clinical experience, etc.

“Being skin smart is about sharing real science and expert advice to empower people to make informed choices when it comes to their skin beauty and health,” said Ahmed.

More from PCPC

Personal Care Products Council Requests Public Comments on the Revised Microbiology Guideline “Determination of Preservation Efficacy in Water- Miscible Personal Care Products

The Personal Care Products Council (the Council) is requesting public comments by October 3, 2013 on the revised Microbiology Guideline “Determination of Preservation Efficacy in Water-Miscible Personal Care Products.”

The Council’s Microbiology Guidelines are intended to provide manufacturers with guidance regarding establishing and maintaining microbiological quality programs within their companies.  These Guidelines are also recommended for contract packagers and suppliers of raw materials.

Each Guideline undergoes an extensive development and review process by the Council’s technical committees and scientific staff, as well as public review by member companies, nonmember companies, federal government agencies, and scientific professional societies.

An electronic copy of the draft guideline is available online. Comments should be submitted by email to John Krowka, Senior Microbiologist, krowkaj@personalcarecouncil.org.

More from PCPC

New Online Survey Conducted by Harris Interactive Shows Many Americans Uninformed About Anti-Aging and Year-Round Sun Protection Nearly 40 percent say sunscreen is used mainly on sunny days

As children return to school and memories of summer vacations fade, a new nationwide online survey conducted by Harris Interactive, Inc.1 shows that many Americans around the country are uninformed about sun protection, regardless of the season.  They also are unaware of the risks of sun exposure and who is at risk for sun damage. In fact, 90 percent of skin aging is caused by everyday sun exposure that occurs throughout the year, not just at the beach.

“The American public is still not in a place where they are sun smart every time they step out of their door,” said Farah K. Ahmed, Chair, Personal Care Products Council Sunscreen Committee.

Wear Sunscreen Every Day – Even When Cloudy

Nearly 2/5 (38 percent) of Americans say sunscreen is mainly for use on a sunny day.  However, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), even on cloudy days, up to 80 percent of the sun’s harmful UV rays can penetrate your skin and cause damage.  Since UV rays can be reflected off of water, sand, snow and concrete, the risk of sunburn can be high even if you are in the shade or when skiing on a cold, winter day.

Cloudy with a Chance of Wrinkles

Americans are unaware of the damage everyday sun exposure causes.  Two in five (40 percent) say the main risk of sun exposure is sunburn, and 45 percent think skin aging is mostly related to a person’s genetics.  However, extensive research demonstrates that it’s everyday sun exposure that contributes heavily towards:

  • Wrinkles
  • Fine lines
  • Sagging skin
  • Dull skin
  • Dehydrated skin
  • Age spots

In addition, sun exposure also contributes to:

  • Pre-cancerous (actinic keratosis) and cancerous (basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma) skin lesions – caused by loss of the skin’s immune function
  • Benign tumors
  • Telangiectasias — the dilation of small blood vessels under the skin

Everyone Is At Risk

One-third (33 percent) of Americans believe the darker a person’s skin, the less susceptible they are to sun damage.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), everyone’s skin is damaged by UV exposure, but those with lighter skin types are more at risk for developing skin cancer.

“Unfortunately, the American public still has a long way to go before we treat sunscreen the way we treat seatbelts,” said Ahmed.  “Every time you step out of your door, you should automatically apply sunscreen – rain or shine, summer or winter – as well as wear protective clothing and seek shade whenever possible.”

According to the AAD and the Skin Cancer Foundation, some of the best ways to protect yourself from UV damage are to:

  • Seek shade when appropriate.  The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. If your shadow appears to be shorter than you are, seek shade.
  • Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses.
  • Generously apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or more to all exposed skin. “Broad-spectrum” provides protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.
  • Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand because they reflect and intensify the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chances of sunburn.
  • Avoid tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can cause skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look tan, consider using a self-tanning product or spray, but continue to use sunscreen with it.

“Our goal is to help consumers make informed decisions, and use sunscreen as part of a daily safe sun regimen.  Sunscreen is a crucial step in the fight against premature skin aging, sunburn, and skin cancer,” said Ahmed. “Today, consumers can find sunscreen protection in a variety of products labeled with SPF, such as daily facial moisturizers, foundations, lipsticks, powders, etc.  Our hope is that sun protection will become as much of a habit as putting on your seatbelt,” said Ahmed.

[1]Nationwide online survey conducted among 2,010 U.S. adults ages 18 or older by Harris Interactive, Inc. on behalf of the Personal Care Products Council from August 14-16, 2013. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.  For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Lisa Powers (202-466-0489) or Hayley McConnell (202-454-0302).

More from PCPC