Regulation & safety

Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAs), largely used in non-stick and water-resistant items like cookware and clothing, but also found in beauty and personal care products, were being increasingly detected as environmental pollutants in groundwater and soil [Getty Images]

Five EU national authorities call for PFAs ban under REACH

By Kacey Culliney

Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden have submitted a proposal to the European Chemicals Agency ECHA calling for a restriction on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) under the EU’s chemicals regulation REACH.

Industry and consumers have a plethora of certifications and standards that can be used for natural and organic cosmetics [Getty Images]

Guest Article

Natural and organic cosmetics: An overview of certification options

By Tjaša Grum, CE.way Regulatory Consultants

Interest in natural and organic cosmetics continues to rise amidst a wider green beauty boom, but with little regulation around these two terms, certification schemes have taken on fresh importance - for industry and consumers alike.

New approach methodologies (NAMs) have already been well-proven for animal-free cosmetic product and ingredient safety testing, but should now be accepted as 'scientifically robust' for testing worker safety and environmental impact [Getty Images]

Next-gen methods can 'transform' chemical risk assessment: Experts

By Kacey Culliney

There are strong opportunities to widen use of new approach methodologies (NAMs) for chemical risk assessments on worker safety and environmental impact of cosmetics, though regulatory acceptance will require a collaborative industry-research push, say...

The European Commission has issued its fourth update to the regulation prohibiting and/or restricting carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR) chemicals in cosmetics [Getty Images]

EC banning 20+ more hazardous chemicals in cosmetics

By Kacey Culliney

The European Commission (EC) has extended its list of prohibited carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR) chemicals in cosmetics following extensive consultations with its Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and other interested...

Decades of scientific work has advanced capabilities of in vitro safety assessment of chemicals, but these methods can't be used to their full potential because regulatory frameworks still need to catch up [Getty Images]

The Long Read: In Conversation with Unilever Safety & Environmental Assurance Centre (SEAC) executives

The future of animal-free chemical testing? There’s a ‘big frustration’ in the scientific community, say Unilever execs

By Kacey Culliney

The beauty industry continues to be stuck between conflicting requirements on animal testing, with bans under the EU Cosmetics Regulation and new data calls under the European Chemical Agency’s (ECHA) REACH Regulation, and the scientific community is...

MEPs have adopted a resolution vote that will add political pressure to the European Commission to respond, proving important for the cosmetic industry's fight to uphold its existing EU animal testing ban [Getty Images]

European Parliament votes for EU-wide plan to phase out animal testing

By Kacey Culliney

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have adopted a resolution vote calling on the European Commission to establish an EU-wide action plan to actively phase out animal experiments – a move that adds weight to the cosmetics industry’s fight to protect...