Cosmetic News In Brief: Schakowsky’s Water CUPS Act; Dr. Bronner’s Quits OTA; More
This article was originally published in The Rose Sheet
Executive Summary
Democratic congresswoman Jan Schakowsky of Illinois reasserts her cosmetic safety interests with the introduction of a bill that would require an EPA investigation into personal-care contaminants in drinking water. More cosmetic news.
Water CUPS Raises New Rinse-Off Cosmetic Concerns
A proposed bill from Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill. – sponsor of the Safe Cosmetics Act in the previous Congress – would require the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a study on personal-care and pharmaceutical products that end up in sources of drinking water, identify associated risks to human health and the environment and determine appropriate risk-management strategies, with a report to Congress due within four months of enactment. Introduced Sept. 22, the Water, Cosmetics and Unwanted Pharmaceuticals (Water CUPS) Act, H.R. 6128, has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee. In a same-day release, Schakowsky states: “When people pour pharmaceuticals and personal-care products down the drain, they may not realize they are contaminating the lakes, rivers and other sources of drinking water.” Already, the EPA has recognized cosmetic and drug substances as contaminants of emerging concern, and the Government Accountability Office has recommended federal research into the issue, she says. The congresswoman adds that organizations including the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago have launched education campaigns and are providing safe disposal sites for unwanted pharmaceuticals. The Water CUPS Act would augment such efforts, according to Schakowsky.
Dr. Bronner’s Quits Organic Trade Association
Long-time natural/organic advocate Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps announces its resignation from the Organic Trade Association Sept. 19, citing a falling-out over federal legislation enacted this summer that preempts state laws requiring genetically engineered foods to be labeled as such. Critics have dubbed the bill, S. 764, the DARK (Deny Americans the Right to Know) Act. According to Bronner’s, OTA “compromised their initial position of opposition to the DARK Act and lent the crucial support that allowed anti-labeling legislators to push that same legislation through the Senate and be signed into law by President Obama.” The company vows to reallocate resources “to help power consumer, farmer and industry organizations that more authentically and courageously represent the vision of regenerative organic agriculture, versus the disaster of soil-destroying industrial agriculture.” It cites the Rodale Institute’s new Organic Farmers Association in particular. Bronner’s also is focused on supporting initiatives for minimum wage, cannabis and animal welfare reform, it notes. OTA gained a member in June with the announced addition of The Honest Company to its ranks. (Also see "Nervous About ‘Natural’? Honest Company Heads For Organic Pastures" - HBW Insight, 11 Jul, 2016.)
Walgreens Platform Links Customers, Skin Docs Online
Walgreens’ new online/mobile skin-care platform, launched Sept. 19 to the 2 million-plus people who access the drugstore chain’s digital channels daily, provides information about common skin conditions from content partner WebMD, basic skin and product recommendations from staff via the live Walgreens Pharmacy Chat module and a springboard to DermatologistOnCall, “the nation’s largest teledermatology-focused telehealth network.” The latter service enables users to create a profile and upload photos for online consultations with US-based, board-certified specialists, promising a response – i.e., diagnosis and personalized treatment plan – in most cases within three business days, if not 24 hours. Consultations cost $59. Walgreens notes that under traditional circumstances, US patients on average must wait 29 days to see a dermatologist. “This is another example of combining innovation and convenience to deliver tools and services that help deliver quality and affordable care to our customers anywhere, anytime,” says Walgreens’ Chief Medical Officer Harry Leider.