New Bill to Modernize 1938 Regulations that Allow Harmful Chemicals in Shampoos, Cosmetics

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Jun 24, 2011, 03:42 ET

WASHINGTON, June 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc., introduced the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2011 (HR 2359), which would update the 1938 federal cosmetics laws that allow chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects, learning disabilities and other illnesses into the personal care products we use daily on our bodies.

"The growing number of reports of serious health problems arising from the use of dangerous chemicals in personal care products shows a need to update our laws and protect men, women, and children from harmful exposure," said Rep. Schakowsky. "Currently, manufacturers are not required to disclose all their ingredients on labels and the FDA has no power to supervise the use of toxic chemicals in cosmetics."

Recent scandals that have rocked the cosmetics industry include a study that found arsenic and lead in lip gloss and other cosmetics. In April, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration warned salons to stop using keratin hair-straightening products like Brazilian Blowout, which contain the carcinogen formaldehyde and have been linked to hair loss, nose bleeds and breathing problems.

"When there are cancer-causing chemicals in popular hair-straighteners and baby shampoos and neurotoxins like lead in makeup, you know the regulatory system is broken," said Lisa Archer, director of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. "Industry self-regulation just isn't working. This bill recognizes that consumers have a right to safe personal care products and that companies have a responsibility to ensure their products are safe."

Rep. Markey commented, "The personal care products that make us clean should not make us sick. The Safe Cosmetics Act will close a gaping hole in the federal law that allows potentially toxic chemicals to remain in the cosmetic products we use every day."

Rep. Baldwin added, "The health risks caused by harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde in cosmetics products demonstrate the pressing need to see that the products we use are safe. The Safe Cosmetics Act is critical to ensuring that personal care products do not compromise the health of workers and consumers."

This bill updates last year's bill aimed at ensuring cosmetics safety while being more effective and manageable for smaller companies which are innovating many of the safer alternatives already on the market.

For more info: www.safecosmetics.org/safecosmeticsact

SOURCE Campaign for Safe Cosmetics