ICMAD CEO Stresses Universal Standards in Cosmetic Regulation

The head of The Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers and Distributors (ICMAD) is stressing the need for uniformity between retailers and regulatory agencies, saying it will strengthen safety, quality and trust throughout the supply chain. 

Pamela Busiek, CEO of ICMAD, will speak at the Global Retailers and Manufacturers Alliance (GRMA) meeting in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Aug. 3. Busiek plans to share with business leaders details on a variety of ongoing efforts to reform cosmetic regulation—including the recently introduced Personal Care Products Safety Act, also known as the "Feinstein Bill," which ICMAD stated places too large a burden on small business, restrains innovation in the industry and doesn't provide appropriate and significant national uniformity (Read more about the bipartisan bill in C&T).

“The cosmetic business historically has afforded entrepreneurs with opportunities that they have translated from startups to multi-million-dollar, multinational businesses, generating thousands of jobs and industry breakthroughs,” Busiek said. 

She cites Revlon, started by Charles Revson, who funded medical device development including contact lenses, and Clairol, now part of Procter & Gamble, which contributed to funding important cancer treatments. 

“ICMAD has a long track record of working with industry experts and federal regulators to promote product safety, honor the best science in our industry, and advance small businesses that innovate and provide jobs,” said Busiek. “The work of the GRMA on developing relevant, consensus-based standards will help ensure our industry continues to have viable contributors.”

The GRMA is a joint initiative with global public health organization NSF International, an ICMAD partner, established in 2014 to develop consensus-based standards for dietary supplements, cosmetics and personal care products, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and devices.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will hold a public meeting on September 10, 2015 to receive input from the public on various topics pertaining to the regulation of cosmetics to help the agency prepare for the International Cooperation on Cosmetics Regulation-9 (ICCR-9) meeting that will be held November 4-6, 2015, in Brussels, Belgium. Read more in C&T.