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Schwarzenegger signs USA's first law on chemicals in cosmetics

New California Law Requires Disclosure of Toxic Ingredients

26.10.2005 |Sascha Gabizon




OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 10 – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill Saturday that will require cosmetics manufacturers to disclose which of their products contain chemicals linked to cancer, reproductive harm or developmental toxicity Ñ a first-ever accounting of companies using potentially damaging ingredients, and a first-line protection for consumers. The newly passed bill, the California Safe Cosmetics Act of 2005, was vigorously opposed by an industry accustomed to free rein when it comes to ingredient safety.

Environmental Working Group (EWG) researchers today offer California consumers a preview of cosmetic companies and products that face exposure through this bill. In an assessment of ingredients in 7,500 personal care products, EWG uncovered 155 products that contain known or suspected carcinogens or reproductive and developmental toxins. These products are manufactured by Avon, Grecian Formula, Wet 'N Wild and other companies, and span a diverse range of products from nail polish to body creams and lip balm. The list can be found on the EWG website.

The Safe Cosmetics Act will require manufacturers to disclose to the Department of Health Services (DHS) ingredients in their products known by the state to cause cancer or birth defects, and would authorize DHS to investigate the health impacts of these chemicals. The law will also require companies to divulge hidden, harmful ingredients in fragrances and flavors.

"The protections in this act buttress a federal cosmetic safety system that leaves consumers at risk," said Jane Houlihan, vice president for research at EWG. "It may be legal for companies to use cancer-causing chemicals in products, but now, in California, consumers will have the unique right to know about potentially harmful ingredients."

Although our investigations have uncovered known, toxic ingredients used by the mainstream cosmetics industry, we found that what is not known about ingredient safety is just as troublesome. Our research shows that only 11 percent of the 10,500 cosmetic ingredients catalogued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have been publicly assessed for safety by the FDA, the industry's internal safety panel (the Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel) or any other publicly accountable institution. FDA lacks the authority to require premarket safety tests of cosmetics, and the industry has free rein to use any chemical in their products, save nine chemicals banned or restricted by FDA in its 30-year history of cosmetic regulation.

"Our hope is that the threat of public exposure in California will encourage companies to switch to safer formulations, not only in California but nationwide," said Houlihan. EWG's investigation of 7,500 personal care products, including a searchable safety database for consumers.