Formaldehyde Hair-Smoothing Ban Still ‘High Priority’ For US FDA Despite Proposed Rule Delay

Amid organizational and leadership changes and numerous competing high priorities, the FDA’s planned Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to ban formaldehyde-containing hair-straightening products has been pushed from April to July 2024. An agency spokesperson provided an update on related activities, which are being closely watched by NGOs, state-level policymakers, and industry stakeholders.