Statement by Francine Lamoriello, Executive Vice President, Global Strategies, Personal Care Products Council, Supporting Passage of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP)
“The Personal Care Products Council (The Council) supports the final version of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) released today by President Obama. TPP provides a historic opportunity to facilitate international trade of cosmetics and personal care products by aligning regulatory policies.
“With the inclusion of an Annex on cosmetic products, TPP is the first trade agreement to promote regulatory convergence and address technical barriers to trade that impede the personal care products industry. The Annex provides an important framework for international regulatory best practices that will raise standards and allow our industry to continue to provide safe, innovative products in a timely fashion to consumers around the world.
“The cosmetic and personal care products industry is a global industry that requires open markets and transparent, consistent regulatory environments. International trade is a critical component to the success of our industry, and significantly contributes to our ability to compete globally, to expand manufacturing and employment, and to support other industries such as advertising, packaging and transportation. The personal care products industry also promotes continued technological innovation and supports small and medium sized businesses.
“Passage of this extraordinary agreement will mean a stronger global personal care products industry, a stronger U.S. economy and more U.S. jobs. We urge Congress to recognize this historic achievement and ratify this agreement.”