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    • Diamond Jubilee: The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act Turns 75!June 25th, 2013

      By Kurt R. Karst –  It was 75 years ago today, on June 25, 1938, that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed into law the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (“FDC Act”), which replaced the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906, 34 Stat. 768, …

    • House Appropriations Committee Report Expresses Concerns About FDA; Would Require a Slew of New Action DeadlinesJune 13th, 2013

      By Kurt R. Karst –       A Draft Committee Report made available by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations that would, once finalized, accompany the Fiscal Year 2014 Agriculture/FDA Apprropriations bill (currently available as a Full Committee Draft), lays out a laundry list of …

    • “Carcinogen-Free” Label Program Proposed in House BillDecember 12th, 2012

      By Etan Yeshua – Manufacturers of foods, drugs and cosmetics might possibly be able to label their products as “Carcinogen-Free” with federal approval.  In November, Rep. Theodore Deutch (D-FL) and Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC) introduced the "Carcinogen-Free Label Act of 2012" (H.R. 6601), which would …

    • California Labeling Requirements for Organic Cosmetics Not PreemptedAugust 14th, 2012

      By Riëtte van Laack – The Organic Food Products Act of 1990 (“OFPA”) established national standards for the marketing of certain agricultural products marketed as organically produced.  It directed USDA to issue regulations specifying the requirements for certification and labeling of organic agricultural products.  In promulgating …

    • FDA Speaks to Nanotech in Cosmetics, Foods, and DrugsMay 14th, 2012

      By Ricardo Carvajal – April was a busy month for nanotechnology at FDA.  The agency issued two draft guidance documents worthy of close examination for those with an interest in the use of emerging technologies, including nanotechnology, in the cosmetic and food industries.  Further, FDA denied …

    • Representative Leonard Lance (R-NJ) Introduces Industry-Supported Bill to Modernize Cosmetics RegulationApril 27th, 2012

      By Riëtte van Laack— On April 18, 2012, Rep. Leonard Lance introduced the Cosmetic Safety Amendments Act of 2012, a bill (H.R.4395) “to establish new procedures and requirements for the registration of the cosmetic product manufacturing establishments, the submission of cosmetic product and ingredient statements, and …

    • Cosmetic Advertisement + Photoshop = Deceptive Advertising?August 4th, 2011

      By Cassandra A Soltis – In a decision that could have implications in the United States, the U.K.’s Advertising Standards Authority (“ASA”), which describes itself as “the UK’s independent watchdog” that regulates advertising, found both a Lancôme and a Maybelline advertisement misleading because the images of …

    • Will the Dog Days of Summer Offer a Reprieve to FDA and the Regulated Industry (and Your Bleary-Eyed Bloggers)? DoubtfulJuly 6th, 2011

      By Kurt R. Karst –     Over the Independence Day holiday, in between the family BBQ and fireworks, we had a few minutes to reflect on what a hectic month June was for FDA and the regulated industry.  There were the decisions handed down by the U.S. …

    • Thirty Four Cosmetic Companies Sued Over “Organic” LabelsJune 22nd, 2011

      By Riëtte van Laack – Although there are currently no federal standards governing the labeling of organic cosmetics, cosmetic products sold in California are subject to the California Organic Products Act of 2003 (“COPA”).  Under this law, cosmetics labeled or represented as "organic" must contain at …

    • Congressional Leaders Request FDA to Issue Voluntary Recall of Brazilian Blowout and Other Hair Smoothing Products Containing FormaldehydeMay 11th, 2011

      By Cassandra A. Soltis – In a May 6, 2011, letter to Dr. Margaret Hamburg, Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA” or “the Agency”), 10 congressional leaders requested the Agency to “take immediate action” against Brazilian Blowout Solution, Acai Professional Smoothing Solution, and …

    • Rep. Schakowsky Introduces Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010; Bill Would Increase Regulation of CosmeticsJuly 21st, 2010

      By Kurt R. Karst –    Earlier this week, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), along with Reps. Ed Markey (D-MA) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), introduced H.R. 5786, the Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010.  The bill would significantly change the regulatory structure of cosmetics in the U.S., …

    • A Bigger, Bolder FDAGAFebruary 8th, 2009

      By Ricardo Carvajal & Susan J. Matthees –       The FDA Globalization Act (“FDAGA”) of 2008 was “meant to stimulate discussion about how to provide adequate funding and authority for FDA to ensure safety” of products over which the agency has jurisdiction.  When we commented on …

    • FDLI Update Article Discusses State and Federal Enforcement Actions Against Cosmetics CompaniesSeptember 21st, 2008

      The latest FDLI Update “Enforcement Corner” article by Hyman, Phelps & McNamara, P.C. discusses the fact that government entities, including FDA, are taking enforcement actions against companies that market cosmetics and cosmetic-like products.  The article highlights recent enforcement actions in this area, and also notes …

    • FDA Globalization Act of 2008: Fees, Fees, and More FeesApril 18th, 2008

      Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce released a Discussion Draft of the "Food and Drug Administration Globalization Act of 2008."  The “Discussion Draft is meant to stimulate discussion about how to provide adequate funding and authority for FDA to ensure …

    • Why FDA Currently Can’t Require “Nanotech” Labeling on CosmeticsApril 17th, 2008

      Recently, calls have been mounting for FDA to require manufacturers of cosmetics to highlight the presence in their products of what are variously referred to as “nanomaterials,” “nanoingredients,” and “nanoscale materials,” among other descriptors. The objective of this requirement would be to enable consumers to …