FDA publishes report on recent cosmetics regulation meeting

The ICCR is an international group of regulatory authorities for cosmetics from Canada, the European Union, Japan, and the United States, seeking to promote regulatory convergence, while maintaining global consumer protection and minimizing barriers to international trade.
 
As part of the meeting, the regulators entered into a dialogue with cosmetics industry trade associations from each region. In conjunction with ICCR-6, a Regulators Forum was held, with representation from Australia, Brazil, People’s Republic of China, Republic of Korea, and Saudi Arabia.

Up for discussion...​
 
Participants involved in the session on the 12th July firstly received an updated report on the International Cooperation on Alternative Test Methods (ICATM) activities. Still a considerable topical area in cosmetics, the ICCR acknowledged the usefulness of ICATM’s ‘Current Alternative Test Method Validation and Regulatory Acceptance Status Reportfor ICCR’ as a reference for the industry.

According to the FDA, the report on this matter will continue to be updated on a semi-annual basis with a revised document on the ‘Applicability of Animal Testing Alternatives in Regulatory Frameworks within ICCR Regions’.

Secondly, discussions were held on the potential application of Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) prediction models for cosmetic ingredient safety assessment whereby an agreement was met that a working group will be established to further explore in silico models.
 
Nanomaterials were next up on the list whereby it was agreed that both working groups will continue to consider additional issues pertinent to the characterization and safety of nanomaterials and the document ‘Safety Approaches to Nanomaterials in Cosmetics’  will be posted in coming months.

Lastly, the meeting addressed the areas of trace impuritiy levels,  endocrine disruptors and allergens. Documents on trace impurity levels of lead and 1,4-Dioxane in cosmetic products are now said to be undergoing final review while a working group is to be established to develop a white paper compiling the regulatory approaches taken in each jurisdiction regarding allergens in cosmetics and personal care products.

The next ICCR meeting is set to be held in Japan in 2013.