THE SAFER BEAUTY BILL PACKAGE: WHAT IT IS AND WHY IT MATTERS

Jun 21

For decades, cosmetic products in the United States have been regulated under laws written long before the modern beauty industry existed.

As scientific understanding of chemical exposure has advanced, policymakers and public health advocates have increasingly called for stronger oversight of ingredients used in personal care products.

A new set of federal proposals known as the Safer Beauty Bill Package aims to address these regulatory gaps.

The legislation was introduced by Jan Schakowsky, alongside Lizzie Fletcher, Ayanna Pressley, and Doris Matsui.

Together, these bills represent one of the most comprehensive federal efforts in decades to modernize cosmetic safety regulation in the United States.

The Clean Beauty Coalition is proud to announce our official endorsement of the Safer Beauty Bill Package, recognizing it as an important step toward improving ingredient transparency, strengthening safety standards, and protecting communities disproportionately exposed to toxic chemicals through beauty products.

“These bills represent an important step toward aligning cosmetic safety standards with modern science and public health protections.” — Amber Makupson, Founder, Clean Beauty Coalition

Official Congressional announcement: https://schakowsky.house.gov/media/press-releases/schakowsky-fletcher-matsui-pressley-introduce-safer-beauty-bill-package

Why Cosmetic Safety Reform Is Being Proposed

Cosmetic regulation in the United States largely developed under the 1938 Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, a law created long before the scale and complexity of the modern beauty industry.

Today, Americans routinely use multiple personal care products every day, including:

shampoos and conditioners
lotions and moisturizers
deodorants
hair dyes
fragrances
nail products
cosmetics

Researchers studying environmental health increasingly examine how repeated use of these products contributes to:

cumulative chemical exposure
endocrine disruption
occupational exposure for salon workers
environmental contamination

Scientific research published through institutions such as the National Institutes of Health journal Environmental Health Perspectives, as well as carcinogenic classifications from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, has helped drive policy conversations about improving cosmetic safety oversight.

Cosmetic safety in the United States is currently overseen by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, but historically the agency has had limited authority to review cosmetic ingredients before they enter the market.

The Structure of the Safer Beauty Bill Package

The Safer Beauty Bill Package consists of four coordinated federal bills, each addressing a different aspect of cosmetic safety regulation.

Together, they aim to modernize ingredient safety standards, increase transparency, and strengthen protections for both consumers and workers in the beauty industry.

1. Toxic-Free Beauty Act (H.R. 4433)

Congress bill page: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4433

The Toxic-Free Beauty Act proposes prohibiting several hazardous chemicals from cosmetics and personal care products.

Chemicals targeted in the legislation include:

Mercury
Lead and lead compounds
Asbestos
Toluene
Certain phthalates
Parabens
Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives

Many of these substances are already restricted or banned in other jurisdictions, particularly within the European Union.

Key goals of the bill include:

eliminating the most hazardous chemicals from cosmetics
encouraging the development of safer alternatives
aligning U.S. safety standards with modern toxicological research

The legislation seeks to reduce exposure to substances associated with neurological harm, endocrine disruption, and carcinogenic risk.

2. Cosmetic Safety Protections for Communities of Color and Salon Workers Act (H.R. 4436)

Congress bill page: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4436

This bill focuses on disproportionate exposure to cosmetic chemicals.

Research has shown that certain communities may experience higher exposure due to:

targeted product marketing patterns
frequent use of specific hair products
occupational exposure in salons

Major components of the bill include:

federal funding for research on cosmetic chemical exposure
public health education for salon workers
outreach programs for communities with higher exposure risks
development of safer product alternatives

Occupational exposure is a central concern because salon professionals may handle chemical products daily over decades of work.

Guidance on workplace chemical safety in salons has also been published by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

3. Cosmetic Hazardous Ingredient Right-to-Know Act (H.R. 4435)

Congress bill page: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4435

One of the most significant transparency issues in cosmetics involves fragrance disclosure.

Under current regulations, companies can list complex fragrance mixtures simply as “fragrance” on product labels.

However, fragrance formulas can contain dozens or even hundreds of chemical ingredients.

This bill would require:

full disclosure of fragrance and flavor ingredients
ingredient listings on product labels and company websites
improved public access to ingredient safety data

Greater disclosure would allow consumers, scientists, and regulators to better understand chemical exposure patterns.

4. Cosmetic Supply Chain Transparency Act (H.R. 4434)

Congress bill page: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4434

Modern cosmetic products are produced through complex international supply chains that may include:

chemical manufacturers
ingredient suppliers
formulation laboratories
packaging providers
brand owners

The Cosmetic Supply Chain Transparency Act would require ingredient suppliers to disclose full chemical information to cosmetic companies.

Key objectives include:

improving traceability of cosmetic ingredients
providing manufacturers with complete safety data
strengthening product formulation oversight
increasing accountability across supply chains

Better traceability allows companies to identify hazardous substances earlier in the production process.

Public Health and Environmental Implications

Supporters of the Safer Beauty Bill Package argue that the legislation could lead to several important public health improvements.

Potential benefits include:

reduced exposure to hazardous cosmetic ingredients
greater transparency about product formulations
improved workplace protections for salon professionals
expanded research on chemical exposure patterns

Cosmetic ingredients can also enter the environment through wastewater systems, product disposal, and manufacturing processes. Some substances have been linked to ecosystem contamination and aquatic toxicity, raising broader environmental health concerns.

Environmental Justice and Disproportionate Exposure

A central theme of the Safer Beauty Bill Package is unequal exposure to cosmetic chemicals.

Studies examining personal care products marketed to Black women have identified higher concentrations of certain chemicals associated with:

endocrine disruption
reproductive health concerns
carcinogenic risk

Salon workers also face elevated occupational exposure because they regularly handle:

hair relaxers
hair dyes
nail chemicals
styling treatments

These exposures can accumulate over years of professional practice.

Legislative Process and What Happens Next

Because the Safer Beauty Bill Package was recently introduced, it must move through several stages before becoming law.

Possible next steps include:

Committee referral in the House of Representatives
Congressional hearings and expert testimony
Additional co-sponsors joining the legislation
Advocacy and coalition endorsements
Potential Senate introduction of companion legislation

Coalition support from public health organizations, environmental justice groups, beauty professionals, and industry stakeholders often plays a significant role in determining whether legislation advances.

The Clean Beauty Coalition Position

The Clean Beauty Coalition supports efforts to strengthen cosmetic safety standards and improve transparency in the beauty industry.

Our endorsement of the Safer Beauty Bill Package reflects our commitment to advancing:

ingredient transparency
modernized cosmetic regulation
reduced exposure to hazardous chemicals
stronger protections for communities and workers disproportionately affected by cosmetic chemical exposure

As the legislative process continues, the Clean Beauty Coalition will remain engaged in policy discussions and coalition-building efforts surrounding cosmetic safety reform.