The Cosmetic Safety Amendments Act of 2012 is legislation that will strengthen and modernize regulatory oversight of the cosmetic industry and create a greater role for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in assessing the safety of personal care products. Here are four ways this bill will help consumers:

1. Companies would have to register with the FDA

More reporting means more uniform transparency for consumers. Currently, reporting to the FDA by manufacturers is voluntary. The Cosmetic Safety Amendments Act of 2012 would require mandatory reporting for manufacturing facilities, product ingredients, and unexpected adverse events.

2. The FDA would have to review ingredient safety

Under the Cosmetic Safety Amendments Act of 2012, any concerns about ingredient safety would be addressed by the FDA and its scientists. Once an ingredient safety review is requested, or the FDA determines a review is warranted, the agency would be required to make a determination about the safety of the ingredient intended for use in a personal care product and set safe use levels on a specified timetable.

3. The FDA would have the power to establish safety levels for trace substances in cosmetics

The Cosmetic Safety Amendments Act of 2012 would ensure one clear standard on safe levels of trace substances. Upon request or on its own initiative, the FDA would review and establish tolerance levels for substances that are detected at trace levels in cosmetics.

4. The FDA would oversee the current review panel for cosmetics

Currently, an independent, non-profit, panel of scientists and physicians called the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel reviews cosmetic ingredients for safety. Under the Cosmetic Safety Amendments Act of 2012, the FDA would review current and future findings of the CIR. This additional review will help ensure consumers’ favorite personal care products maintain the highest level of safety.

The Safe Cosmetics Alliance represents the men and women working in the personal care product and services industry committed to providing the highest quality and safest products – from manufacturers to your local salon owner. We support science-based legislative and regulatory policies that enhance current consumer safeguards and strengthen FDA oversight of cosmetic and personal care products to ensure continued product safety.