2025 Legal & Regulatory Conference – Agenda
2025 Legal & Regulatory Conference – Agenda

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Agenda
Tuesday, May 13
Networking Breakfast
Registration Open
Opening Remarks

Equitable Accountability: Legal and Regulatory Paths in the EU's Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive
The revision of the European Union’s Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive (UWWTD) presents significant legal and regulatory challenges for the cosmetics sector. A legal challenge is currently underway pointing to a discrepancy in the Directive’s impact assessment which targets only the cosmetics and pharmaceutical sectors as responsible for the cleanup and associated costs, estimated in billions of Euros. During this session, we will review the regulatory and legal advocacy paths to find a more equitable allocation of financial responsibilities among all sectors contributing to pollution.



Networking Break
Developments in Extended Producer Responsibility and Recycling Advertising Regulations
States such as California continue to fill the gap left by Congress in promoting recyclable packaging standards by implementing mechanisms such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Post-Consumer Recycled Content standards. This session reviews those state-level rules, identifies the important inconsistencies amongst the states on EPR, and discusses the personal care industry’s challenges around recyclability. We will also cover, the related topic of state-level greenwashing laws, such as California’s Truth in Recycling Act, which will prohibit the chasing arrows symbol and other implications of recyclability except on packaging that regulators determine to be recyclable.


Lunch
PFAS and Forever Chemicals
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as “forever chemicals,” have been used in personal care products for long-lasting, waterproof formulations, to condition hair and skin, and to improve product texture, among others. In recent years, PFAS have come under intense regulatory and consumer scrutiny due to their environmental persistence and potential health risks, leading to a surge in class actions involving PFAS in consumer products over alleged violations of state consumer protection laws.
In this interactive session, speakers will lead attendees through a mini table-top exercise to address key challenges personal care companies face today:
- What regulations and new state laws governing PFAS should I be aware of?
- Should I test my product for PFAS? Should I engage a consulting expert?
- If my product contains PFAS, how can I reduce litigation risk?
- Is insurance an option?
- How do I get supply chain attestations from reluctant suppliers?
- What should I tell stakeholders if an environmental group finds PFAS in my product?
Attendees will gain insights into the evolving regulatory landscape, legal risks, and strategies for public relations and crisis communications, handling consumer inquiries, and communications with retailers.


Break
Protecting Your Products: The Ins and Outs of Patents and Trade Secrets
Innovation drives the beauty industry, from cutting-edge formulations and proprietary ingredients to advanced skincare technologies. However, safeguarding these innovations through patents and trade secrets is becoming increasingly complex as competition intensifies and regulatory landscapes evolve. This session will cover recent IP disputes, best practices for navigating patent applications, and how to enforce trade secret protections in a digital and globalized market.


Break
Hidden Dangers: Defending Products Liability and Consumer Fraud Lawsuits Challenging Product Safety
As consumers have become increasingly focused on supposedly “toxic” ingredients and contaminants, and with the escalating spread of misinformation, enterprising plaintiffs’ lawyers have seized the opportunity to pursue lawsuits purporting to expose the “hidden dangers” of common personal care products. These lawsuits take many forms—ranging from products liability to consumer fraud, depending on the alleged injury—but all follow a similar pattern: a plausible risk, bolstered by junk or dubious science, fueled by internet advertising, becomes a massive litigation risk for a company, or even an entire product category. During this session, panelists will discuss emerging trends in this type of “hidden danger” litigation and propose strategies for anticipating and defending against such claims.



Closing Remarks

Welcome Reception
Wednesday, May 14
Networking Breakfast
Registration Open
Opening Remarks

Proposition 65 For Pros: Advanced Strategies for Avoiding & Defeating Prop 65 Claims
For nearly four decades, California’s Proposition 65 has confused consumers, confounded the industry, and enriched unscrupulous plaintiff’s attorneys. Over the last several years, however, defendants in the beauty and personal care industry have scored significant wins, and PCPC itself obtained a landmark federal injunction on constitutional grounds. How can your business replicate their successes, and how can the industry build on the progress achieved by PCPC? In this session, one of the industry’s leading lawyers will discuss the successful strategies and tactics that have helped both individual companies and the industry as a whole cost-effectively manage and mitigate Proposition 65 risks. Whether you’re handling your first Proposition 65 “NOV” or your fiftieth, this session will prepare you operate like a Prop 65 pro.


Networking Break
Navigating the Legal Pitfalls of Generative AI in Digital Marketing
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing marketing strategies in the beauty industry, from personalized skincare recommendations to AI-generated product formulations and virtual try-ons. However, as AI-driven marketing strategies expand, they raise critical legal and regulatory questions. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how AI is shaping the future of beauty marketing, the regulatory risks brands must navigate, and best practices for ensuring transparency, fairness, and legal compliance in AI-driven marketing solutions.


Lunch
Consumer Class Action & Advertisements
With increasing consumer awareness and regulatory scrutiny, the beauty industry has become a hotspot for class action lawsuits. From misleading marketing claims and undisclosed ingredients to product safety concerns and sustainability misrepresentation. Beauty brands face growing legal risks that can impact reputation and profitability. Legal experts and industry professionals will discuss strategies for mitigating risk, ensuring compliance with advertising and labeling laws, and proactively addressing consumer concerns to prevent costly lawsuits.



Refreshment Break
With increasing consumer awareness and regulatory scrutiny, the beauty industry has become a hotspot for class action lawsuits. From misleading marketing claims and undisclosed ingredients to product safety concerns and sustainability misrepresentation. Beauty brands face growing legal risks that can impact reputation and profitability. Legal experts and industry professionals will discuss strategies for mitigating risk, ensuring compliance with advertising and labeling laws, and proactively addressing consumer concerns to prevent costly lawsuits.
Cosmetic CGMPs: Key Updates, Legal Insights, and Strategic Considerations for the Year Ahead
MoCRA directed FDA to propose mandatory CGMP regulations for cosmetic products by the end of 2024. While the timing of these regulations remains uncertain, particularly given changing dynamics in DC, cosmetic companies are already thinking ahead to FDA’s rulemaking and impacts on their compliance strategy, taking into account global standards and expectations on enforcement. This session will cover critical updates about FDA’s future CGMP requirements and FDA’s cosmetic compliance program, as well as important implications on other areas such as state laws on ingredients and contaminants and consumer litigation, and key legal and strategic considerations in engaging on these issues.


Closing Remarks
Thursday, May 15
Networking Breakfast
Opening Remarks

Navigating MoCRA: Essential Updates, Compliance Strategies, and Litigation Risks
The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) represents the most substantial reform of U.S. cosmetic regulations in decades, introducing new compliance requirements for beauty brands and manufacturers. As the FDA continues to issue guidance and implement enforcement measures, it is crucial for industry stakeholders to stay informed about the latest developments under MoCRA. This session will offer a comprehensive overview of the most recent MoCRA updates, including key compliance deadlines, enforcement expectations, and best practices to ensure your brand adheres to these new federal standards.
Additionally, we will explore the potential litigation risks associated with MoCRA non-compliance. Understanding the legal landscape and preparing for possible legal challenges is essential for mitigating risks and protecting your brand. Join us to gain valuable insights into navigating MoCRA’s regulatory framework and safeguarding your business against potential litigation.


Break
Today's FDA, Emerging Issues and the Future of Cosmetic Regulation
Join us for a conversation with Jones Day partners, Tony Dias and Courtney Lyons Snyder. Gain insights into the FDA’s priorities and emerging issues that could impact the cosmetics and personal care sector.



Coast to Coast Compliance - Exploring East vs. West Coast Legal & Regulatory Challenges
Drawing on experiences as former general counsel and director of key California agencies and as client advocates with the FDA, legal experts, Maureen Gorsen and Kelly Cho of Sidley Austin LLP will offer practical advice on engaging regulators amidst a patchwork of requirements. Attendees will gain insights into emerging regulatory enforcement trends, and strategies for multi-jurisdictional compliance.


Closing Remarks

Friday, May 16
International Committee Meeting
The International Committee (IC) Meeting is for IC members only. The meeting is currently closed; we cannot accept additional registrations.

Register Now
Regulatory shifts may impact the beauty industry. Stay ahead of industry challenges and join us at the 2025 Legal & Regulatory Conference.