The PCPC refutes, re-assures and defends regulation issues in cosmetics..
Safety taken seriously
Last month, the PCPC waded into the phthalates debate, reiterating that cosmetics products are safe and that a recent study carried out at Brigham and Women’s hospital linking them with diabetes had no causal link. Diethyl Phthalate, also known as DEP, is the only phthalate with significant use in cosmetics.
Then, Linda Loretz, director, Safety and Regulatory Toxicology PCPC said the study, which examined a possible association between diabetes and levels of certain phthalates in women, was no cause for concern.
“The industry takes its responsibility for safety very seriously. Consumers can continue to use the personal care products that they have trusted and relied on for many years.”
Refutes
Then in June, the cosmetics trade association refuted allegations from the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) that retinyl palmitate and oxybenzone found in sunscreen formulations were unsafe.
In a report, the EWG questioned whether palmitate (used in some sunscreen formulations to condition and moisturize) and FDA-approved oxybenzone were safe enough to be included in sun care formulations.
In response to this, PCPC representative Farah Ahmed said that the report was confusing consumers on what’s safe while also undermining the efforts of public health advocates to educate people about the importance of using sunscreen. “Allegations contained in the report disregard or distort an extensive body of scientific research on the safety, efficacy and health benefits of sunscreen.”
Re-assures
Three months previously, the council re-assured that a study by the Silent Spring Institute (SSI) claiming to have found ‘harmful chemicals’ in a wide range of consumer products including cosmetics, was ‘needlessly scaring’ consumers.
"The results of this study are not new or surprising and should not alarm consumers. The mere presence of those chemicals identified does not mean they are harmful."
Defends
Finally, in February the trade association spoke out in defence of FDA study into the levels of lead found in lipstick, reinforcing the view that there are ‘no safety concerns’, following criticism from pressure groups.
It came after the FDA announced it was to continue to evaluate the levels of lead found in lipsticks to ensure it protects the health of consumers, having completed its latest analysis on 400 lipsticks at the end of last year.
“FDA again has reviewed the lead levels found in lipstick and determined them to be safe," said PCPC chief scientist Halyna Breslawec.
