Congressional Cosmetics Caucus to fly the flag for US industry

19-Sep-2023 - Last updated on 19-Sep-2023 at 10:20 GMT

The Congressional Cosmetics Caucus was launched last week under the bipartisan leadership of Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, (D-Calif) and Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) who will both serves as co-chairs.

The caucus has been established to help meet the needs of the US cosmetics and personal care industry, which is estimated to employ around 4 million people, 80 percent of whom are estimated to be women. It will also serve to give the industry a higher profile in Congress, ultimately giving it more of a voice when it comes to the legislative decision-making process.

While providing a safeguard to help drive the industry’s significant contribution for economic growth, the aim is also to ensure that it continues to make a positive social impact.

PCPC endorse the move

The launch of the group has been applauded by the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), which is aiming to work closely with Sanchez and Malliotakis in an effort to make positive and transformative steps forward for the industry across the US.

“With an unprecedented number of women in Congress, the Caucus has a unique opportunity to promote policies, programs and initiatives that support this dynamic and growing industry, addressing key bipartisan issues such as product safety, job growth, regulatory reform, sustainability, innovation, and diversity, equity and inclusion—all vital to our society’s success,” said Lezlee Westine, President and CEO of the PCPC.

“The Caucus will also serve as a platform to educate Congressional leaders about the industry’s scientific sophistication and commitment to sound science, dedication to safety and significant economic contributions.”

Following the fragrance caucus footsteps

The move follows the re-certification of the Congressional Fragrance Caucus in April of this year, which was first formed in 2018 with the aim of strengthening the position of the fragrance sector in the US by focusing on key areas such as innovation, safety and sustainability.

Like the cosmetics caucus, the fragrance caucus is also a bipartisan effort that is being co-chaired by Congressman Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson (D-NJ), who will be focused on legislative efforts to help grow, protect and develop the fragrance industry in the country.

In particular, the group with be focusing a lot of efforts on sustainability issues, specifically with respect to environmental protection initiatives and green chemistry practices.

Eliminating animal testing on cosmetics

Last week another bipartisan effort was announced that will take steps towards totally eliminating the testing of cosmetics and personal care products and ingredients on animals, a move that will also be applied to all imported products and ingredients.

Cosmetics Design reported on the move last week, which involved the reintroduction of the Humane Cosmetics Act into the House of Representatives by Reps. Don Beyer (D-Va.), Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), Ken Calvert (R-Calif.) and Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.).

The Humane Cosmetics Act (S. 3357 / H.R. 6207) means that one year after the bill is enacted any company caught violating the new regulations would be liable to civil penalties under US law and would bring the US in line with over 40 other countries that have already outlawed the practice.