Policy & Regulation
Slow adoption of alternatives to animal testing in the current decentralized regulatory framework.
Now that reporting of cosmetic ingredient use to FDA is no longer voluntary, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review is wading through a tide of data generated by MoCRA registration and listing deadlines.
The Washington State Department of Ecology will try to work with companies that violate the Toxic Free Cosmetics Act, rather than reflexively imposing the $5,000-per-violation fine for first-time offenders, says the law’s implementation planner. She noted financial assistance is available for small businesses, as well as incentives for companies adopting measures “beyond compliance.”
Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act planner Shari Franjevic acknowledges the Washington State Department of Ecology is authorized to use enforcement discretion regarding the new law’s 1ppm limit on trace lead in cosmetic products, effective 1 January 2025, or raise the ceiling via rulemaking. But it does not seem inclined to do either based on data known to the department at present.
Business
Italian personal care and beauty manufacturer Sodalis Group will acquire Alberto V05, Zest soap, Sure deodorants and other personal care brands in a transaction with current owner Tengram Capital Partners expected to close by the end of October. Recent years have seen high private equity activity in cosmetics and personal care.
Unilever PLC has appointed former jewelry company executive Mary Carmen Gasco-Buisson to lead its fast-growing prestige division. The Estee Lauder Companies announces the retirement of 28-year company veteran and group president, North America, Mark Loomis. More beauty industry leadership news.
Perelel acquiring Loom online platform providing reproductive health, sexual wellness and parenting education. First direct-to-consumer product for Curive Healthcare’s Plum brand formulated for vaginal area dryness.
Jessica Spence joins as North American president while CFO Dan Sullivan becomes COO and Francesca Weissman, finance and business strategy SVP, adds CFO to her title in latest executive office changes by the marketer of brands including Schick men's and women’s shaving, Playtex, Stayfree, Carefree and o.b. feminine care and Banana Boat and Hawaiian Tropic sun care.
Innovation & IP
Bayer adds dry eye treatment to its Bepanthen skin care range; Stada launches special edition Elotrans supplement for Eintracht Frankfurt fans; Hermes offers chewable magnesium supplement; and Klosterfrau introduces Oyono Night extension to help troubled sleepers maintain their immunity.
After launching Retaine MGD Advanced, OcuSoft says a release by Bruder Healthcare referenced Retaine MGD trademark and statements from a previous OcuSoft announcement about the original product attributed to an optometrist. B+L, Rohto brand and homeopathic firm Relief Products also make US OTC eye care space moves.
Perelel acquiring Loom online platform providing reproductive health, sexual wellness and parenting education. First direct-to-consumer product for Curive Healthcare’s Plum brand formulated for vaginal area dryness.
Mucinex Sinus saline nasal spray is designed to treat sinus-related symptoms as “first-ever drug-free saline product” with a dual nozzle offering two spray settings, marketer Reckitt-Benckiser says.