Piscataway, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) held a press conference at Middlesex County’s Cosmetology School in Piscataway on the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act – a new law he has long championed and was included in a federal spending bill that will protect consumers from dangerous cosmetics and personal care products. The law included provisions to strengthen the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) authority to regulate cosmetic products, including establishing good manufacturing practices, requiring cosmetic manufacturers to report adverse events, and providing FDA with the authority to recall dangerous products.

“Millions of Americans who use cosmetics daily deserve to know these products are safe, but our cosmetic safety laws have not been updated for 80 years until Congress acted last year. I’ve long championed this law to empower FDA with the tools and resources it needs to oversee the cosmetics industry. I’m proud we were able to secure provisions in a federal spending bill last year to finally update the law to protect consumers,” Pallone said. “It’s a huge win for consumers, and I’m thrilled it’s now law. I’m grateful for everyone who joined us today to talk about the importance of these new consumer protections.”

“As the first county vocational school system in the nation, our Magnet Schools have set a standard for excellence in both academics and professional training, and we take tremendous pride in that. Our cosmetology program is no exception, and the new regulations required under this legislation will be incorporated into the curriculum so that every student who graduates from this program is prepared to uphold these new safety standards,” said Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners Director Ronald G. Rios. “I want to thank Congressman Pallone for his support of this important legislation. The additional safety requirements and FDA oversight of the cosmetics industry will go far in protecting consumers.”

“We are grateful that the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act Congressman Pallone long sought was included in the end-of-year federal spending bill,” said Scott Faber, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Environmental Working Group. “The FDA will finally have many of the same commonsense, basic tools it already has for oversight of other product categories.”