In Brief
This article was originally published in The Rose Sheet
Executive Summary
Cosmetic ingredients benzophenone, cocamide diethanolamine and diethanolamine – cancer-causing chemicals? California EPA’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment intends to list them as such under Proposition 65. Comments are being accepted through Feb. 21. More news in brief.
California Proposes Prop 65 Listings
The California EPA’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment announces its intent to list cosmetics ingredients benzophenone, cocamide diethanolamine and diethanolamine as chemicals known to cause cancer under Proposition 65. The ingredients are currently classified as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” Benzophenone ingredients are used in a wide variety of cosmetic products to protect them from deterioration, and in sunscreen products to protect skin from UV rays, according to CosmeticsInfo.org. Diethanolamine is mostly used in hair dyes, while cocamide diethanolamine functions to thicken or increase foaming of personal-care products. OEHHA seeks comments as to whether the ingredients have been appropriately identified. Comments are due by Feb. 21.
Colipa Announces Name Change
As part of its anniversary celebration, European trade group formerly known as Colipa announces name change to Cosmetics Europe – The Personal Care Association. According to Director-General Bertil Heerink, the new handle “reflects current reality” in terms of the group’s wide-ranging influence and ideally “will enhance [the association’s] reputation both inside and outside our industry.” In its 50th year, the organization counts 18 multinational companies, 27 national associations and 4,000 smaller companies among its members, and as Europe represents one-third of the worldwide personal-care market, that makes Cosmetics Europe the “flagship” of the global fleet, Heerink says. Collaboration will continue in 2012 on the SEURAT-1 initiative – jointed funded by industry and the European Commission to the tune of €50 million – to fill scientific gaps and advance alternative test strategies for assessing repeated dose toxicity without the use of animals. Other priorities include “strengthen[ing] transatlantic connections” and “planning self-regulatory systems for advertising and claims,” Heerink indicated in a Jan. 27 email.
In-Cosmetics Asia Proclaimed A Success
Despite the floods that caused its postponement, organizers of in-cosmetics Asia say the conference was a success. Over three days, 3,865 people from 53 countries attended the event, held Dec. 14-16 in Bangkok. More than 1,000 attendees were from outside of Thailand, according to organizer Reed Exhibitions. Conference exhibitors were up 13% from the 2010 event, totaling 266 and representing 29 countries. In-cosmetics Asia 2012 will take place in Bangkok Nov. 6-8.
NRC Says Nano Effects “Uncertain”
In a new report, the research arm of the National Academies urges further study into the environmental, health and safety effects of nanomaterials in consumer products. “Without a coordinated research plan to help guide efforts to manage and avoid potential risks, the future of safe and sustainable nanotechnology is uncertain,” the National Research Council says in a Jan. 25 news release. In 2009, developers derived $1 billion from sales of nanomaterials, but that figure is expected to jump to $3 trillion by 2015, NRC says. With the market for products containing nanomaterials “expected to explode,” NRC sets out a plan for addressing four research categories, based on what the market may look like in the future. The council notes that implementation of the plan “would require sufficient management and budgetary authority to direct research across federal agencies.” The study was sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Pantene Adds Olympic Beauty Ambassadors
Procter & Gamble Co. brand says it will feature 11 female athletes in a global marketing campaign in support of the 2012 Olympic Games in London, marking the first time the brand will feature athletes as ambassadors. “The athletes will provide proof that, regardless of their training for the Olympic Games, Pantene’s performance helps give them beautiful hair,” P&G says in Jan. 26 release. Athletes include U.S swimmer Natalie Coughlin, Argentinian tennis player Gisela Dulko and Chinese diver Wu Minxia. An 11-time Olympic medalist, Coughlin was chosen as ambassador for the U.S. “not only for her vast accomplishments in sports, but also her dedication to a healthy lifestyle and her ability to inspire women to embrace their own strength and femininity.” The swimmer will appear in a marketing campaign slated to include print and TV advertising, in-store displays and social media and PR efforts, launching in June.
ICMAD’s Young Designers Competition Opens
The Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers & Distributors (ICMAD) is accepting applications for the 2012 Young Designers competition, which “showcases the talents of students studying package design,” according to a Jan. 24 release. To participate, each student receives a silver bottle and is asked to create a cosmetic product with a name and brand identity. Results will be judged by a panel of cosmetic and personal-care experts on the product’s overall uniqueness, capability to be reproduced, ease of use and storage. According to Pam Busiek, CEO of ICMAD, the event is a “stepping stone for any young designer to truly understand what it takes to create a successful brand and product.” Applications will be accepted Feb. 1 through June 1, and winners will be announced at a September 2012 event in New York.