Cosmetics regulatory reform efforts continued in 2019, which also saw Congress’s first cosmetics safety hearing since 2016. Meanwhile, the “clean” beauty movement gained momentum, fueled by the widely held perception that outdated regulations are allowing cosmetics consumers to be exposed to dangerous chemicals.

Market disruptions, “dramatically” higher prices, lost jobs and negative health consequences all are possible if legislation passed in New York in June to reduce 1,4-dioxane exposures is enacted in its current form, trade organizations say. Cleaning product industry advocates are leading the opposition, but personal-care manufacturers stand to be impacted as well.

Cosmetic cleansing products containing 1,4-dioxane at levels above 1 part per million would be unlawfully marketed in New York beginning in 2023 under legislation passed by the state’s legislature in June. Governor Andrew Cuomo reportedly is reviewing the bill.