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!
NOTE: This post is not specifically about handcrafted soap and cosmetics, but more about FDA enforcement generally. The Food Drug and Cosmetic Act defines the “label” as the written printed or graphic matter on the immediate container of a product and, and defines “labeling” as all written, printed, or graphic matter accompanying an article at…
If you’ve gone to the FDA website in the past week or so, you probably noticed that their website has been updated and now looks completely different. According to their website, they are changing over to a new “more modern” WCMS (Website Content Management System), the biggest benefit of which is that it will be…
Are you putting your personal accounts at risk? Lately I’ve seen a lot of quizzes and surveys in my Facebook feed. It scares me the amount of personal information that is being shared without thinking it through. You know those shared the posts that have lists of questions so your friends can get to know…
Three of the FDA warning letters in the past week have been concerning products containing CBD. Looks like they are starting enforcement activities in this area. All three of the warning letters (to PotNetwork Holdings, Advanced Spine and Pain, and Nutra Pure) cited similar violations. Drug Claims Claims that the product would treat or mitigate…
As a follow-up to my previous post, What About CBD Oil?, I have been asked about the status of hemp oil and seeds. The FDA has approved hemp seed oil, hemp seed protein powder and hulled hemp seed as GRAS (generally recognized as safe) for use in food products. There should be no problem using…
CBD is short for cannabidiol, one of the many compounds found in the cannibis plant. It is non-intoxicating, but many claim it has significant physical benefits. “Hemp” and “marijuana” have been lumped into the same category since the 1937 Marijuana Tax Act and the 1970 Controlled Substances act. However, last December the 2018 Farm Bill…
I am very pleased to announce that I am now an official “HSCG Expert” and as such I have my very own page in the Handcrafted Soap and Cosmetic Guild How-To Library. You can find tons of information on soap and cosmetic labeling and good manufacturing practices. (With more to come!) In addition, I am…
With the New Year come New Year’s resolutions. Besides the old standbys to lose weight, eat better, exercise more, and reduce stress, how about a new one this year — review your product labels to make sure they are compliant with the regulations! Eliminate the stress you might have from wondering whether your products would…
Allergens in cosmetics have been an issue of growing concern. Food product regulations require the disclosure of certain allergens, even if only that the facility makes other products with the allergens in them (e.g., “this product was made in a facility that puts peanuts in other products”). Cosmetics don’t have those requirements. Concern for consumers has…
A Certificate of Free Sale is a document that provides proof that a product is being freely and legally sold without restriction. It is sometimes also called a “Certificate for Export” or “Certificate to Foreign Governments.” When is a Certificate of Free Sale needed? A Certificate of Free Sale is needed if you are exporting…
When looking at the minutiae of labeling a soap or cosmetic product, it’s easy to forget the big picture. Why are all these regulations in place? Why is it important to comply with them? Why are there regulations at all? Regulations are the rules that are put in place to implement the laws that are…
Color additives in cosmetics continue to be a difficult topic. Blended cosmetics are especially problematic. Keeping your products legal requires diligence and an understanding of color additives and the regulations.
