Regulations incite mixed emotions from scientists in any industry. On the one hand, they constrain innovation by limiting the given chemistries allowed. On the other hand, they can force a new and better solution to the challenge at hand. Scientists in industry also understand that public safety is the motivation behind regulations, and that extensive research must be conducted to ensure the safety and efficacy of products. Then again, with an example such as sunscreens in the United States, better solutions are known outside of the country; but the ability to improve public health through such solutions gets hung up in regulatory debate, as it has for decades.
Updates on recent regulatory changes and how they impact formulation work will be covered by regulatory and formulation expert Rob Ross-Fichtner, of Focal Point Research, at the June 22 and 23, 2015, Cosmetics & Toiletries Summit in Philadelphia. During his presentation, Ross-Fichtner will not only cover these regulatory limitations, but also offer some formulating solutions within the given constraints.
Ross-Fichtner Biography
Robert Ross-Fichtner is the president and CEO of Focal Point Research. He has more than 30 years of experience in the formulation, manufacturing and regulation of cosmetics and OTC drugs. He has completed hundreds of regulatory submissions for product registration and approval, and has served as a consultant to Health Canada. Ross-Fichtner has extensive experience registering warehouse and production facilities, inspecting OTC drug facilities, and developing QA programs in Canada and the United States. In addition to formulating, his many years of experience in research and development include stability testing, analytical chemistry and product scale-up and manufacturing. He has served as the regular science columnist for Canada's Cosmetics Magazine, and is a current contributor to Cosmetics & Toiletries.
Prior to joining Focal Point Research, Ross-Fichtner spent nearly 20 years in management positions at Procter & Gamble (P&G) in both Canada and the United States. He was involved with all aspects of P&G’s new product program, including formulation, process engineering, packaging and regulatory and government affairs. In 2007, he was elected to the board of directors of The Canadian Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association. Ross-Fichtner completed bachelors and masters degrees in organic chemistry from McMaster University in Hamilton Ontario.
About C&T Summit
The C&T Summit is an interactive two-day event, designed to spark innovation and inspire the creative utilization of science in cosmetic product development. It will be held June 22 and 23, 2015, at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Featuring a high-level technical conference and hands-on, practical application workshops, the C&T Summit provides an experiential learning environment, aiming to transfer knowledge through participation. For more information on the program, sign up for our mailing list or visit Summit.CosmeticsandToiletries.com.
