Feinstein Co-Sponsors Bill To Expand FDA Oversight of Cosmetics

Lawmakers are considering a bill, co-sponsored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), that would expand FDA oversight of cosmetics and give the agency authority to force recalls of products that are harmful to people's health, the New York Times reports.

According to the Times, FDA currently cannot require cosmetics companies to:

• Recall products; and
• Report adverse health effects.

Details of Bill

Under the Personal Care Products Safety Act, by Feinstein and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), companies would be required to submit to FDA within 15 business days any "serious" adverse health effects that are reported by consumers, including:

• Death;
• Disfigurement; and
• Hospitalization.

Meanwhile, non-serious health effects, such as rashes, would be reported by companies in an annual report.

In addition, the bill would require FDA to study on an annual basis the safety of five different chemicals used in cosmetics products (Abrams, New York Times, 4/20).

The bill has garnered support from:

• Estee Lauder;
• Johnson & Johnson;
• L'Oreal;
• The Personal Care Products Council;
• Procter & Gamble;
• Revlon; and
• Unilever.

In addition, the legislation is supported by several consumer groups, including:

• The Environmental Working Group;
• HealthyWomen;
• The National Alliance for Hispanic Health; and
• The Society for Women's Health Research (Feinstein release, 4/20).