The Consolidated Appropriations Act, H.R. 133, includes $900bn in unemployment relief to COVID victims as well as regular federal appropriations to avoid a looming government shutdown. US FDA provisions include cosmetics and nutrition industry mentions.

Efforts to modernize US cosmetics regulations fell short in the 116th Congress as lawmakers swung their focus to COVID-19, but industry expects a resumption of discussions in the next term, even as pandemic relief and recovery remains top priority.

Trade secret protections for fragrance ingredients in consumer products have been under pressure for years as consumers’ “right to know” has ascended over competitive business interests. California’s newly enacted SB 312 imposes substantial new ingredient-reporting duties on cosmetic product manufacturers, including disclosure of fragrance allergens restricted in Europe.