In Brief

The Sunscreen Innovation Act passes with President Obama’s autograph; movement to ban cosmetic animal-testing in Australia gains momentum. More news in brief.

Obama Signs Sunscreen Act

President Obama signed the Sunscreen Innovation Act (S. 2141) into law Dec. 1, paving the way for speedier FDA review of new sunscreen UV filters submitted to the agency via time and extent applications. The move follows the House’s Nov. 13 passage of the Senate version of the bill (Also see "Sunscreen Innovation Act Starts Clock Ticking On FDA Review Of TEAs" - HBW Insight, 14 Nov, 2014.). The legislation amends the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to streamline FDA’s process for evaluating UV filters that have been marketed to a material extent and for a material time in countries outside the U.S., imposing hard deadlines on the agency, and creates a comparable framework for expedited review of other OTC ingredient TEAs. The Public Access to Sunscreens Coalition applauded the bill’s passage. “The signing of the Sunscreen Innovation Act by President Barack Obama is the culmination of persistent, bipartisan work by Congress and stakeholders to provide Americans with access to the latest sunscreen products to help curb future cases of skin cancer, particularly melanoma," says Michael Werner, PASS Coalition Policy Advisor.

Australia Eyes Cosmetic Animal-Test Ban

A cross-party motion passed by the Australian Senate moves the country closer to prohibiting animal testing for cosmetics, in line with the European Union, Israel and India and movement in other countries around the globe, according to a Dec. 1 release from Humane Society International. The organization says the motion is co-sponsored by Liberal Senator Anne Ruston, Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon, Labor Senator Lisa Singh, Nationals Senator Barry O’Sullivan, Palmer United Party Senators Glenn Lazarus and Zhenya Wang and Independent Senator Nick Xenophon. Discussions with HSI and Humane Research Australia, which run the #BeCrueltyFree Australia campaign, informed the motion, and the groups are inviting consumers to sign an online pledge in support of a national ban. A survey completed by Australia’s Labor party in September found that 92% of respondents supported the measure, HIS notes. In the U.S., NGO Cruelty Free International is optimistic that 2014’s Humane Cosmetics Act will be reintroduced in 2015, aimed at banning the sale of cosmetics tested on animals or containing ingredients assessed via animal testing (Also see "Cruelty Free Int’l Looks To Next Congress For Cosmetic Animal-Testing Bill" - HBW Insight, 4 Nov, 2014.).

L’Oreal, Nestle To End Inneov Joint Venture

Announced Nov. 27, French beauty giant L’Oreal S.A. and Swiss multinational food and beverage firm Nestle S.A. will shutter their joint Inneov beauty-supplement business in the first quarter of 2015. Despite being the category leader in European pharmacies, according to L’Oreal’s website, “the brand has not met the development expected by both partners,” the firms state, noting that Inneov generated turnover of €52 million in 2013. Both companies will retain “the benefits of the research and intellectual property as well as the developments achieved which could be potentially used in their respective fields,” and they are reviewing employment opportunities within their groups for Inneov employees, the release notes. Dissolution of the Inneov venture may add to skepticism regarding the growth potential for nutricosmetics and other ingestible beauty products, particularly in Western markets (Also see "Nutricosmetic Opportunity Still Viable, But Firms Must Invest In Outreach" - HBW Insight, 19 Mar, 2012.). The move follows Nestle’s decision in 2011 to pull its Glowelle beauty drinks from the market. Although the brand’s Twitter page suggests the company is reformulating a “new generation” of products, no update has been provided since October 2011. 

Pantone Announces 2015 Color Of The Year

An earthy red-wine-hued shade dubbed “Marsala” has been named the Color of the Year for 2015 by global color authority Pantone. The color “embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal, while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “This hearty, yet stylish tone is universally appealing and translates easily to fashion, beauty, industrial design, home furnishings and interiors." Pantone suggests that Marsala is “incredibly versatile” for beauty, as it flatters many skin tones and pairs easily with peachy-pinks and metallics, while it additionally illuminates smoky-neutral color combinations, “making it a captivating eye shadow color that can be worn from morning until night.” Marsala follows 2014 Colors of the Year Radiant Orchid and 2013’s Emerald.

Arden Signs Supermodel Caune

Elizabeth Arden Inc. announces Dec. 2 that it has signed Latvian supermodel Karlina Caune as the new global face of its Elizabeth Arden brand. As a brand ambassador, Caune will appear in ad campaigns starting in Spring/Summer 2015, represent the brand in marketing and public relations programs and be an active participant on Arden’s social media platforms. “The modern Elizabeth Arden woman is a passionate, multi-cultural individual who leads an active professional lifestyle," says Arden Chairman, President and CEO Scott Beattie. "In Karlina Caune, we have found a beautiful and intelligent young woman who embodies the ideals of the Arden brand." Arden has been working to innovate its signature brand and develop a pipeline and activity mix that drives more consumer engagement and demand, Arden EVP and CFO Rod Little said during a fiscal 2015 first-quarter earnings call Oct. 30 (Also see "Elizabeth Arden Looks To Fiscal 2016 For Restructuring, Innovation Payoffs" - HBW Insight, 10 Nov, 2014.).