Regulations Affecting Cosmetic and Personal Care Products

Abstract

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has statutory authority to regulate the sale of cosmetic and personal care products. The FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition administers regulations and policy governing the safety of cosmetic ingredients and finished products. The FDA has statutory power to regulate cosmetics in the United States; however, their authority over cosmetics is much more limited than their authority over ethical drugs. Cosmetic products in violation maybe be seized by the government, and criminal actions may be initiated against the manufacturer. A cosmetic manufacturer may use nearly any raw material as a cosmetic ingredient, except for the very few substances banned by the FDA. In the United States, the safety of most cosmetic ingredients is determined not by the FDA or other government agency, but by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review. The FDA advises manufacturers to substantiate the safety of products and their ingredients by whatever means necessary.