Dem wants hearing on safety of cosmetics

Democratic Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (N.J.) is calling for a full hearing on the safety of makeup products.

In a letter to Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.), the committee’s ranking member said a reform of the country’s regulations governing the cosmetics industry is long overdue.

{mosads}”This committee, as the committee with jurisdiction over cosmetic regulation, should examine the existing framework and determine what improvements are necessary,” he said. “We owe it to American consumers to do all we can to ensure we have a robust cosmetic regulatory system that ensures the safety of the cosmetic products that Americans purchase and use each day.”

Pallone claims a hearing is needed to give the committee a chance to learn how little has changed since the Food and Drug Administration was first granted authority over cosmetics in 1938.

He said that under the existing law, manufacturers are responsible for testing and verifying the safety of their products, not the FDA.

Manufacturers also aren’t required to register with the FDA, which means the agency does not have access to real-time information regarding who is manufacturing and marketing cosmetic products. Manufacturers also have no obligation to notify the FDA if they receive reports from consumers about adverse reactions after using a product, he added.

Pallone said the FDA also lacks the authority to recall a product even if it has caused a serious health problem.