Search

• Home
• What's in my cosmetic?
• Antiperspirants & deodorants
• Babycare
• Fragrance
• Haircare
• Make-up
• Male grooming
• Oralcare
• Packaging
• Skincare
• Sunscreens
• Safety matters
• About us
• FAQs
• Media centre
  • News
  • Research reports
  • Media email alerts
  • Media panels
  • Downloads
• Site map
• Contact us

News

US Campaign: “The story of cosmetics"

27 July 2010

You may have heard reports about a video campaign in the US claiming cosmetic products on the US market are not properly regulated, and you may be worried that this could be the same in the UK. It is important for you to know that cosmetics and personal care products in the UK, and across Europe, ARE strictly regulated and are safe.

We are disappointed that the US activist group, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, has chosen to spread such unnecessary alarm in its video called: “The story of cosmetics" (released on 21 July 2010). This video is exactly that - it is a ‘story’ which mixes fact and fiction. We understand that there must be much confusion and concern when the words toxic and toxins are used. In reality we know exactly what is used in cosmetic products, and that those ingredients are safe – irrespective of their source.

There are strict safety laws that cover cosmetic products in Europe and it is legally required that every product has to undergo a safety assessment before it can be sold. This assessment takes into account all the ingredients in the product as well as all the different situations and conditions in which the products are likely to be used; and if the product is intended to be used on children under three years old then it has to have an even more detailed assessment.

The trade association for the American cosmetics industry, the Personal Care Products Council, has issued a statement in response to “The story of cosmetics" in order to set the record straight about cosmetic safety in the US.

The cosmetics industry does not produce stories but safe products that are appreciated and trusted by millions of consumers worldwide.

thefactsabout website has lots of information on products, ingredients and how we can be sure these are safe. Find more facts at:

Chemicals in Cosmetics

Safety guaranteed

Babycare

Bioaccumulation

Cocktail effect

Alleged endocrine 'disruptors'

Lead in lipsticks

Skin lighteners

 

Read what others have said:

A critique video has been posted on YouTube to respond specifically to the video “The Story of Cosmetics”. It is produced by a professional who has researched and created rebuttals for several Story of Stuff videos in the past.

• You Tube critique

 

Writing on the website, www.personalcaretruth.com , a vegetarian shares her point of view on using the ‘Precautionary Principle’ by researching the content of the food she and her family eat daily.

• Full article 

The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) is an association of manufacturers of cosmetic, toiletry and perfumery products, founded in 1945 to promote the interests of members, primarily with government. That remit has now extended to include the European Commission and many other regulatory bodies, national and international groups.

Members are manufacturers (full members), raw material suppliers and suppliers of services (associate members). Our Council is made up of senior industry representatives from small, medium, large and multi-national companies. Activities are funded through membership subscriptions.

The focus of our work centres on scientific, regulatory and legislative issues. We have a constant dialogue with the UK Government and this process is repeated at European level through COLIPA, the European trade body and internationally through an extensive network of national association contacts.

Visit the CTPA main website »

The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) is the voice of the cosmetic, toiletry and perfumery industry in the UK. Our members vary from small and medium-sized companies to large multi-nationals and include manufacturers, raw material suppliers and service providers.

Our primary goal is to promote good working practice to ensure that consumers are provided with the very best products. To this end, we co-ordinate the industry's viewpoint on key issues such as science, innovation and safety and maintain an open dialogue with government, both at UK and European level, as well as with international regulatory authorities and key opinion formers.

CTPA recognises that the consumer has a right to understand the processes that industry and the regulatory bodies go through to ensure the safety and efficacy of cosmetic and toiletry products. Over the years we have steadily increased our focus on providing the public with direct access to the industry's perspective and progress on safety, science and innovation.

In April 2008 we launched our consumer information website, www.thefactsabout.co.uk, which provides scientific facts about common ingredients used in cosmetics and the industry's perspective on common safety questions as well as information on how products are regulated to ensure safety and efficacy.

Further information on the work of the CTPA is available from our main website www.ctpa.org.uk which also houses the full set of legislation under 'Cosmetic regulations'.