Helping soap and cosmetic handcrafters navigate the rules and regs.
Find out more about all aspects of soap and cosmetic labeling, regulations, legislation, and news!
Several people lately have asked me about using the term “organic” when it comes to cosmetics. Can cosmetics be claimed to be “organic? What about using the term “organic” in a product or company name? I did some research, and what I discovered was a little bit surprising. Seems that the FDA and the USDA…
The FDA continues to cite claims for ingredients and claims in referenced publications as claims for the product itself as noted in my earlier post, FDA Cracking Down on Cosmetic Product Claims. A warning letter issued May 16th, to Matrix Health Products, is a good case in point. While the products are nutritional supplements, not cosmetics, what’s…
Not one to rest on my laurels, I’ve produced another book for soapmakers (also for cosmetic makers, even though that’s not in the name). The Soapmaker’s Handy Reference Guide was released at the Handcrafted Soap & Cosmetic Guild’s 2013 Annual Conference last week and was very well received. This little book contains the formulas, facts…
In the ingredient declaration for cosmetics, botanical ingredients should be listed by the common English name. Here’s why.
Life isn’t ALL about regulations and legislation and good manufacturing practices (or preparing for presentations at the HSCG Annual Conference). Sometimes you have to step back and take time to smell the roses—or in my case, plant the garden. We’ve been gradually working on it for years, and this spring (especially in the last few…
Several people have asked me about FDA disclaimers they see on packaging, websites and promotional materials that say: “This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This products is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.” I’ve been asked if the same disclaimer can be used for claims…
On March 21st, 2013, Rep Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) introduced the Safe Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Act of 2103. The text is now available at govtrack.us. It has been referred to to the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Committee on Education and the Workforce. This bill does contain provisions that will affect handcrafters…
I have just discovered two pages my book Soap and Cosmetic Labeling which should be corrected. If you have the book, please update your book.
If you already make a good product, then you already have the beginnings of your good manufacturing practices in place. But if you are ready to take it to the next level, where do you start?
Running all through Good Manufacturing Practices guidelines is a theme of label, label, label. Label incoming materials. Label containers of raw materials. Label containers of measured ingredients when making a batch. Label bulk materials ready to be packaged. In other words, label everything as you go! Why? Because if you rely on “remembering” what’s what,…
Based on the warning letters the FDA sent to manufacturers of cosmetics in the last year (especially the last 4 months), the FDA is starting to crack down on some of the claims being made for cosmetics. I looked through all of the warnings for cosmetics and some of the warnings for food supplements and…
On February 4, 2013, the FDA announced a final rule amending the criteria for administrative detention to prevent potentially unsafe food from reaching the marketplace. While this doesn’t apply to soap, cosmetics, forestry, or small woodland ownership (my usual blog topics), there were some issues in it that I just had to comment on.
