Whos Making Sure Cosmetics Are Safe?
Some activist groups have complained that the industry is largely self-policing. This is true to some degree, as the Federal government does not subject cosmetics to the same premarket approval process that it uses for pharmaceutical products. This does not mean, however, that cosmetics are not carefully tested and regulated. The industry itself has an interest in rigorously testing chemicals on its own before marketing them — safety testing is essential if a company wants to conduct business in the U.S. without the burden of product recalls, consumer complaints, and lawsuits. By law, any cosmetic that has not been adequately tested prior to marketing must bear the label “Warning: The safety of this product has not been determined.” If a product does not have such a label, this indicates that the company has evaluated the product and certifies its safety. In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plays a significant role in ensuring cosmetic safety. The FDA has the auth
