2018 In Review: US Midterm Mania Stifles Cosmetics Regulatory Reform Momentum

09 Jan 2019

• By Lauren Nardella and Ryan Nelson

Despite repeated stakeholder assertions of being “closer than ever” to modernizing cosmetics regulations, the 115th Congress ended with reform legislation stranded in committee. The Personal Care Products says midterm elections diverted lawmakers’ attention from unresolved issues, likely including possible preemption terms to put a lid on growing state and local requirements.

“Something’s going to happen,” said former FDAer turned industry consultant John Bailey last May regarding legislative efforts to update federal cosmetics regulations.

And that may be true, but it did not happen in the 115th Congress.