Helping you understand soap and cosmetic regulations — in plain English.
Category: Soap & Cosmetic Labeling
Blog posts that deal with soap and cosmetic labeling; addition information, questions asked and answered and updates as new information becomes known.
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What is a CONSUMER COMMODITY?
The labeling laws for items that ARE consumer commodities are different than items that ARE NOT consumer commodities. Knowing if a product is classed as a consumer commodity will help you determine whether certain laws or regulations apply. Key Words to Know Consumer A person who purchases goods or services. Commodity Something that is bought
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FDA & Social Media
NOTE: This post is not specifically about handcrafted soap and cosmetics, but more about FDA enforcement generally. The Food Drug and Cosmetic Act defines the “label” as the written printed or graphic matter on the immediate container of a product and, and defines “labeling” as all written, printed, or graphic matter accompanying an article at
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Hemp Oil & Seeds
As a follow-up to my previous post, What About CBD Oil?, I have been asked about the status of hemp oil and seeds. The FDA has approved hemp seed oil, hemp seed protein powder and hulled hemp seed as GRAS (generally recognized as safe) for use in food products. There should be no problem using
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For Members of the HSCG
I am very pleased to announce that I am now an official “HSCG Expert” and as such I have my very own entry in the Handcrafted Soap and Cosmetic Guild’s Expert Consultations page. You can find tons of information on soap and cosmetic labeling and good manufacturing practices. (With more to come!) In addition, I
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New Year’s Resolutions – Check Your Labels!
With every New Year come the New Year’s resolutions. Now’s the time to check your labels!
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Proposed FDA Survey: Allergens in Cosmetics
Allergens in cosmetics have been an issue of growing concern. Food product regulations require the disclosure of certain allergens, even if only that the facility makes other products with the allergens in them (e.g., “this product was made in a facility that puts peanuts in other products”). Cosmetics don’t have those requirements. Concern for consumers has
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Certificate of Free Sale
A Certificate of Free Sale is a document that provides proof that a product is being freely and legally sold without restriction. It is sometimes also called a “Certificate for Export” or “Certificate to Foreign Governments.” When Is a Certificate of Free Sale Needed? A Certificate of Free Sale is needed if you are exporting
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Why is Regulatory Compliance Important?
When looking at the minutiae of labeling a soap or cosmetic product, it’s easy to forget the big picture. Why are all these regulations in place? Why is it important to comply with them? Why Are There Regulations At All? In the USA, regulations are the rules that are put in place to implement the
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Blended Color Additives
Color additives in cosmetics continue to be a difficult topic. Blended cosmetics are especially problematic. Keeping your products legal requires diligence and an understanding of color additives and the regulations.
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Are Your Product Claims Fake News?
You may have heard that Google, Facebook and other social media sites are trying to figure ways to weed out fake news before it makes its way into the wild. That they are using a combination of artificial intelligence, computer algorithms, and live human reviews to decide what’s real and what’s fake. That they have
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An Almond Doesn’t Lactate
Last month, pointing out that “almonds don’t lactate,” FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb announced new FDA guidance on the use of the term “milk.”
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Are Your Color Additives Legal?
Color additives are a major concern for the FDA. Using an unapproved color additive can cause your product to be adulterated (and illegal).