Regulation & safety

P&G and Unilever lock horns over US deodorant advertising

P&G and Unilever lock horns over US deodorant advertising

By Andrew MCDOUGALL

The National Advertising Division recommends that Procter & Gamble discontinue certain claims for its Secret Clinical Strength deodorant products, particularly claims of “100% odor protection,” after Unilever made a complaint.

Slack-fill: How much is too much?

Slack-fill: How much is too much?

By Simon Pitman

A recent lawsuit in California brought against a cosmetics brand for slack-fill highlights the pitfall this area presents. Lawyer to the cosmetics industry, Angela Diesch, points out how to avoid this potentially expensive mistake.

Spike in false advertising legal challenges to the cosmetics industry

Spike in false advertising legal challenges to the cosmetics industry

By Naomi Igra, Amy Lally and Robin Wechkin of Sidley Austin LLP

Companies across the country have been defending themselves against consumer class actions challenging advertising for cosmetics, report three leading law experts from the practice Sidley Austin LLP.   

Unilever backs up Dove soap ad after questioning

Unilever backs up Dove soap ad after questioning

By Andrew MCDOUGALL

Unilever holds its head high after winning an ad battle over its Dove soap after it had dryness claims questioned, and the Advertising Standards authority ruled in its favour.

Unilever recalls roll-on deos in Belgium due to contamination

Product Recall

Unilever recalls roll-on deos in Belgium due to contamination

By Andrew MCDOUGALL

Unilever has had its Belgian subsidiary recall 50ml bottles of its Neutral Roll-on deodorant after it discovered bacteria in samples of the deodorant it tested, which could affect vulnerable people both young and old.

P&G ad criticized for slight against Unilever product

P&G ad criticized for slight against Unilever product

By Andrew MCDOUGALL

Procter & Gamble’s Olay Sensitive Body Wash has been recommended to drop print and online ad claims that Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash is ‘harsh’ after brand owner Unilever complained to the National Advertising Division.

Sunscreen Innovation Act looks set for approval

Sunscreen Innovation Act looks set for approval

By Simon Pitman

Following on from senate approval for the Sunscreen Innovation act earlier this month, regulation law expert Angela Deisch believes the bill looks set to be made law.

No European cosmetics concern over exposure to phthalates

No European cosmetics concern over exposure to phthalates

By Andrew MCDOUGALL

After a US study claimed that if children are exposed to certain phthalates while still in the womb, it could increase their risk of developing asthma; experts in Europe have moved to reiterate the safety of cosmetics products in Europe.

U.S. Marshals seize drug products from Flawless Beauty

U.S. Marshals seize drug products from Flawless Beauty

By Michelle Yeomans

At the request of U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey and the FDA, various ‘unapproved and improperly’ labeled products marketed, sold or distributed online by cosmetic brand, Flawless Beauty have been seized.

L’Oréal USA bags gender equality certification

L’Oréal USA bags gender equality certification

By Simon Pitman

L’Oréal USA has the claim to being the first company in the U.S. to secure Economic Dividends for Gender Equality global standard certification for workforce gender equality.

Friends of the Earth extends 'ToxFox' app

Friends of the Earth extends 'ToxFox' app

By Michelle Yeomans

The German NGO has extended its mobile app, ToxFox to android devices after a successful launch which allows users to check cosmetics for EDCs.

California bill to ban microbeads fails

California bill to ban microbeads fails

By Simon Pitman

A California state bill to ban microbeads that are used in a range of personal care products has failed to go through the state senate with a clear majority, creating a potential stumbling block for environmental campaigners.

Is fragrance allergy partly psychosomatic?

Is fragrance allergy partly psychosomatic?

By Simon Pitman

Scientists in the US have been conducting research that suggests some individuals with allergic reactions to smell may be caused by what they think they smell, rather than the actual scent.

The ‘global beauty consumer’ driving regulation alignment

The ‘global beauty consumer’ driving regulation alignment

By Lucy Whitehouse

The head of the Canadian Cosmetics, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CCTFA), Darren Praznik, has spoken of the increasing need for international regulatory alignment in the face of the rising ‘global consumer’. 

Bucchini: “This is the first official blessing of​ beauty claims I am aware of...

Bella! EC backs beauty health claims; must be judged case-by-case

By Shane STARLING

Beauty claims are permissible under the EU nutrition and health claim regulation (NHCR) a European Commission committee has said in what an analyst says is a “first blessing” the EC may have taken from Italy’s stance on the matter.

EU cosmetics Regulation one year on: How is industry coping?

EU cosmetics Regulation one year on: How is industry coping?

By Andrew MCDOUGALL

It has now been over a year since the new cosmetics regulation came into force on 11 July 2013 but challenges still remain for companies to be compliant, and a recent survey shows that deciding which preservatives to use is the number one challenge for...

Update: EC wraps up EDC review

Update: EC wraps up EDC review

By Michelle Yeomans

The European Commission has implied in a recent review paper that it has concluded ensuring that REACH covers the assessment of EDCs.

Health Canada consults on new regulatory framework

Health Canada consults on new regulatory framework

By Michelle Yeomans

Health Canada is set to launch consultations this fall on a new framework aimed at streamlining and updating the current regulations for cosmetics that are currently defined as “drugs” under the Food and Drugs Act.

FDA warning for over the counter acne treatments

FDA warning for over the counter acne treatments

By Lucy Whitehouse

The US Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning against over the counter acne treatments, noting that severe allergic reactions can result from the usage of certain acne products, and these reactions have the potential to be lethal.

TTIP US - EU trade talks look positive

EU-US trade talks look positive, and cosmetics is on the agenda

By Andrew MCDOUGALL

The European Commission will host a sixth round of EU-US trade talks next month on a new trade and investment deal, known as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, or TTIP; and the outlook is positive as Europe is in a strong position.

FDA dedicates section of website to paraben safety

FDA dedicates section of website to paraben safety

By Michelle Yeomans

In an effort to answer whether there are safety concerns related to parabens in cosmetics, the FDA has set up a section on its website to address pressing questions from consumers. 

Illinois jumps on microbead ban wagon

Illinois jumps on microbead ban wagon

By Michelle Yeomans

Following in the footsteps of New York and California, Illinois is the latest US state to ban tiny plastic particles in personal care goods.