Microplastic-infused leave-on cosmetics targeted by the EU’s proposed restriction are numerous and complexly formulated, and there currently are no viable replacement ingredients, according to Cosmetics Europe. Eliminating plastic microbeads from rinse-off products was a far simpler undertaking, but it still took more than four years and resulted in the discontinuation of roughly half of affected formulations. 

Personal care and cosmetic product trademark filings compiled from the Official Gazette of the US Patent and Trademark Office, Class 3.

As the European microplastic restriction proposal moves toward finalization, with heavy stakes for the cosmetics industry, EU member states and decision makers in Brussels must contend with unresolved questions of proportionality. At a time of global environmental angst and unprecedented economic challenges, what does society value most?

The proposed Environmental Justice for All Act originated in the US House, but is being sponsored in the Senate by Democratic VP nominee Kamala Harris of California. The bill would require professional cosmetic ingredient labeling, already mandated in California, and includes other provisions borrowed from cosmetics reform legislation stalled in Congress.

The proposed Cosmetic Fragrance and Flavor Ingredient Right to Know Act faces no opposition in its current form, but must pass California’s Assembly and get the Senate’s concurrence before 1 September.

The FDA must report to the House Appropriations Committee on any work toward defining “natural” cosmetics and on the health effects of talc, asbestos and lead in cosmetic products. The committee’s 2021 FDA spending bill report also cites concerns about skin-lightening products containing “dangerous levels of mercury and hydroquinone.”

A class action complaint in California’s Southern District, challenging the hand sanitizer manufacturer’s 99.99% germ-kill claim, ignores the asterisk on products’ primary display panels that links to a disclosure on rear labels, “*Effective at eliminating 99.99% of many common harmful germs & bacteria," according to Vi-Jon's 27 August motion to dismiss.

A growing number of class action complainants allege that 99.99% germ-killing claims on hand sanitizers are false and misleading. The suits cite potentially dangerous microorganisms that, according to plaintiffs, are impervious to active ingredients used in the category, and argue that bacteria reductions do not necessarily translate to illness or infection prevention.

Companies should seek legal counsel when making “Made in the USA” claims, particularly if the Federal Trade Commission’s proposed rule on the subject is adopted as drafted. Published in July, the proposed rule would enable the FTC to obtain civil penalties from violating firms “more quickly and easily," attorneys say.

IFF announces preliminary results of more than 99% of votes approving issuing shares pursuant to an agreement that positions it as acquiring DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences under a “reverse Morris trust” transaction. The merger is between DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences and a subsidiary IFF established as a corporate entity to conduct the transaction.

Morphe Holdings has taken a new name, strengthened its leadership team and announced two new brand additions to its growing, multi-category beauty portfolio. Meanwhile, Lauder is partnering with Atropos Therapeutics to discover senomodulators with potential anti-aging benefits, and Fragrance Creators Association again successfully prevents tariffs on essential oil imports from the EU.

Perrigo is investing to grow its reinvigorated International consumer health business by acquiring three OTC skin-care brands from Sanofi. 

NAD will assign three attorneys at the beginning of each Complex Track review instead of one, director Laura Brett said in a recent interview. The industry self-regulation group also recently launched its Fast-Track program for more simple ad claim challenges that rarely have been made.

After reporting 6% organic growth for fiscal 2020, ended on 30 June, P&G’s increasingly health, hygiene and cleaning-focused business is still going strong, CFO Jon Moeller said at the Barclays Global Consumer Staples Conference. While uncertainties abound, P&G remains confident in its strategy, portfolio and long-term prospects.

Johnson & Johnson skin health includes hard-hit products and products that have seen double-digit sales growth during the pandemic, worldwide chairman of Consumer Health Thibaut Mongon said at the Barclays Global Consumer Staples Conference. He went on to highlight launches that are reinforcing J&J’s lead in therapeutic skin care and reflecting its sustainability push.

STMNT, Henkel’s new grooming line rolling out this month through Ulta, was developed in collaboration with three influencers in the barbering industry. The move follows its stateside launch of Authentic Beauty Concept in April and its recent acquisition of three premium, rising beauty brands.

The retailer is growing its skin- and hair-care assortments to meet strong demand and highlighting “clean” with the coming launch of its Conscious Beauty certification program. Sales will remain challenged for the remainder of fiscal 2020, but longer-term prospects are optimistic, Ulta leadership said during the firm’s second-quarter earnings call.

The highly anticipated solution to Coty’s biggest problem, new CEO Sue Nabi, addressed analysts for the first time during the firm’s 27 August fourth-quarter and full-year earnings call. Coty is counting on Nabi’s brand turnaround savvy and Asian market experience gained at L’Oreal, as well as her entrepreneurial vision, to make the company profitable again in the new fiscal year and fuel forward growth. 

Personal care and cosmetic product trademark filings compiled from the Official Gazette of the US Patent and Trademark Office, Class 3.

Personal care and cosmetic product trademark filings compiled from the Official Gazette of the US Patent and Trademark Office, Class 3.

Brands starting with Oscar de la Renta are curating and customizing their own Amazon storerooms with the e-commerce giant’s new luxury products platform. More news in brief.

Microplastic-infused leave-on cosmetics targeted by the EU’s proposed restriction are numerous and complexly formulated, and there currently are no viable replacement ingredients, according to Cosmetics Europe. Eliminating plastic microbeads from rinse-off products was a far simpler undertaking, but it still took more than four years and resulted in the discontinuation of roughly half of affected formulations. 

Personal care and cosmetic product trademark filings compiled from the Official Gazette of the US Patent and Trademark Office, Class 3.

Personal care and cosmetic product trademark filings compiled from the Official Gazette of the US Patent and Trademark Office, Class 3.

NAD will assign three attorneys at the beginning of each Complex Track review instead of one, director Laura Brett said in a recent interview. The industry self-regulation group also recently launched its Fast-Track program for more simple ad claim challenges that rarely have been made.

The Perfectio device marketer came away from the advertising industry’s self-regulatory process with a number of claims intact or mostly untouched, though it discontinued a couple going into the assessment and the National Advertising Division advised against a few others. The firm has pledged to comply “in the spirit of compromise.”

In NAD review on a challenge by S.C.  Johnson, which markets Caldrea brand essentials oils, Young Living said because consumers are equally as likely to believe the products are therapeutic grade regardless of which image they saw in a survey demonstrates the claim doesn’t impact consumers’ perception of its products.