CIR Panel Revises Nonoxynol Position, Considers NGO's Feminine-Care Concerns

At its Sept. 22 meeting, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel postponed issuing its final safety assessment on nonoxynols, which would designate the ingredients as safe when formulated to be non-irritating, as it awaits concentration-of-use data and other information from FDA on nonoxynol-9's spermicidal potential, following concerns expressed by Women's Voices of the Earth about feminine-care products. The panel additionally opted not to reopen review of preservative methylisothiazolinone.