Regulation & safety

Lush cosmetics factory in talks to avoid nuisance lawsuit

Lush cosmetics factory in talks to avoid nuisance lawsuit

By Deanna Utroske

Residents of Toronto, Ontario, have been complaining about the strong scent of a nearby Lush Cosmetics factory for years, and some believe the facility is to blame for headaches, migraines, and skin irritation.   

State of Florida considering cosmetics regulations update

State of Florida considering cosmetics regulations update

By Deanna Utroske

Every two years cosmetics made, packaged, or labeled in the state have to be registered with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Separate bills, currently under consideration by the Senate and the House, would change that mandate.

EOS settles class action suit and will improve labeling

EOS settles class action suit and will improve labeling

By Deanna Utroske

The lip care and skin care company announced late last week that a settlement was reached in a recent class action suit claiming that EOS lip balm can cause a rash and that product labeling is inadequate. 

Class action lawsuit filed against EOS lip care

Class action lawsuit filed against EOS lip care

By Deanna Utroske

The suit filed Tuesday by plaintiff Rachael Cronin, and all other similarly situated complainants, asserts that the product causes a rash; and it has already sparked a fair bit of negative media coverage.

ICMAD and ACI collaborate on regulatory forum

ICMAD and ACI collaborate on regulatory forum

By Simon Pitman

The third Annual Legal, Regulatory and Compliance Forum on Cosmetics and Personal Care Products is set to spotlight the latest regulatory developments in New York.

US Senate passes microbead ban

US Senate passes microbead ban

By Deanna Utroske

New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand introduced the bill—which would definitively ban the use of microbeads in beauty products and personal care formulations—that was unanimously passed last Friday and now is in the hands of President Obama.

More than 200 women named in lawsuit against Wen hair care

More than 200 women named in lawsuit against Wen hair care

By Simon Pitman

Chaz Dean, celebrity hair stylist and owner of the Wen hair care line, has been named in a lawsuit that claims more than 200 women from over 40 states have experienced adverse reactions after using the brand.

Federal government makes headway on microbead ban

Federal government makes headway on microbead ban

By Deanna Utroske

Monday, the House of Representatives voted on a bill to impose a national ban against using the plastic ingredient in cosmetics and personal care product formulations. The Senate has yet to formally weigh in on microbeads.

Business media wary of under-regulated cosmetics industry

Business media wary of under-regulated cosmetics industry

By Deanna Utroske

It’s not uncommon for consumer-facing publications, beauty blogs, or activists to voice disapproval of US personal care regulations, but this Sunday the online new site Business Insider joined in the chorus.

Japan to 'streamline' regulation on cosmetics imports

Japan to 'streamline' regulation on cosmetics imports

By Michelle Yeomans

Japan's Cosmetic Importers Association has announced its intention to abolish the current import notification system for cosmetics to speed up the process for international players.

New ideas for managing soy usage

New ideas for managing soy usage

By Deanna Utroske

In hopes of limiting the impact soy has on forested areas, the Consumer Goods Forum has just published a document meant to help personal care and cosmetic companies make informed choices about their soy supply chains.

Unilever investing in alternatives to animal testing

Unilever investing in alternatives to animal testing

By Lucy Whitehouse

As an ever-increasing number of countries make moves to end the testing of consumer products on animals, Unilever has partnered up with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop alternative testing strategies.

Avon pledges to clean up palm oil supply chain

Avon pledges to clean up palm oil supply chain

By Deanna Utroske

The direct-sales beauty company just updated its Palm Oil Promise document with stringent objectives and supplier guidelines that are more socially responsible when it comes to environmental and human rights concerns.

Stream2Sea sun care takes safety testing to the extreme

Stream2Sea sun care takes safety testing to the extreme

By Deanna Utroske

Company founder Autumn Blum is overseeing meticulous product testing on delicate zebrafish and coral larvae “so that we can state, with complete confidence, that we are the safest product on the shelves,” she says. 

Are sunscreen and sun exposure guidelines unhealthy?

Are sunscreen and sun exposure guidelines unhealthy?

By Deanna Utroske

Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to numerous health conditions, and now an organization in Canada is calling for public health groups to advise consumers about the benefits of moderate UV exposure.

DEHP replacements pose health risks, studies show

DEHP replacements pose health risks, studies show

By Deanna Utroske

Researches at NYU Langone Medical Center have published findings that link di-isononyl phthalate (DINP) and di-isodecyl phthalate (DIDP) to medical conditions in both adults and children.

FDA steps up on warnings over drug claims

FDA steps up on warnings over drug claims

By Simon Pitman

The FDA has recently sent two letters out to companies marketing personal care products for topical use, underlining that any claims pertaining to physiological changes puts the products in the drugs category.

Sesame fated to be labeled as an allergen by the FDA

Sesame fated to be labeled as an allergen by the FDA

By Deanna Utroske

US Senators Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut along with Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts have asked the administration to require the ingredient be listed in the interest of consumer safety. 

Article on EWG ‘worst’ sunscreens list goes viral

Article on EWG ‘worst’ sunscreens list goes viral

By Simon Pitman

As news of the Environmental Working Group’s list of worst sunscreens continues to spread in the US media, one article goes viral leading to fears for consumer safety and the reputation of sunscreen manufacturers.