Import Alerts Are Necessary For Cosmetics Safety

Cosmetics, otherwise known as beauty products, are preparations designed to improve the look and feel of one's skin. Cosmetics include facial creams, lotions, foundations, lipsticks, eye shadows, mascara, and eye blushes. Some cosmetics are homemade while some are prescribed by doctors or other medical professionals. These cosmetic products may be classified into three main groups: men's facial cosmetics, women's facial cosmetics, and baby/infant skin care. Among these three, men's facial cosmetics have been the focus of much research over the past several years.

Imported cosmetics are comprised mainly of plant-based oils, waxes, and extracts, but sometimes natural herbs are also used. The cosmetic products have to go through an importing procedure from one country to another before they can become available to the public. Some countries require cosmetic products to be imported before they can be released to the market. A "Void" import alert is issued for any imported item that has not been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration due to serious health hazard or other concerns. An import alert can be issued for cosmetics that are banned in other countries.

Cosmetics that fall under the category of "natural" cosmetics do not undergo any processing or production that could potentially affect their safety. These are items such as lotions, sprays, shampoos, soaps, rinse or exfoliators, and lip balm or gloss. Because they are deemed "natural," these cosmetic products do not need to have any standardization or regulation. They are generally considered safe and appropriate for use as they are, to a certain extent, meant to imitate the skin and other components found in humans. Thus, they do not need to undergo any testing to confirm their effectiveness or safety before they are released into the market.

In cases where an imported item is found to contain ingredients that are potentially harmful to the consumer's health, or if there is credible evidence that the cosmetics have harmful effects, the cosmetic product can be banned in the United States. This is where import alerts are important because they allow the FDA to ban the product if scientific proof or safety concerns are found. The cosmetics industry, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic (FDA) Administration's Mandatory Standards For Advertising Cosmetic Additives (MSPC) guidelines, has implemented strict requirements for the cosmetics that it allows into the marketplace. The most common and effective method for cosmetics to be tested for safety and effectiveness before release is through the submission of an import alert.

Import alerts are primarily used to raise awareness about new cosmetic products. However, they can also serve as legal protection for the cosmetics industry. For example, a cosmetics manufacturer that finds out that a color additive was found in their product may use the import alert to legally defend their product from competition from other companies that do not have such a restriction in place. Similarly, a new or improved shade of lipstick color that is deemed "safe" by the FDA but that contains a color additive that was banned by a competitor can use a similar declaration to raise the product's appearance above the competition. Import alerts can be used for both new and modified colors, but must be submitted in writing to the FDA instead of orally or through voluntary registration.

While voluntary registration of cosmetic products is popular for cosmetic manufacturers, some states have passed laws that require manufacturers to register or submit assurances of conformity with the M SPC. Some states also require manufacturers to enroll with state department of commerce departments and to collect statements of compliance with their state's voluntary registration programs. The United States cosmetic products industry follows the international standards set forth by the Cosmetic Ingredient Products Act of 1990, which emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the raw materials used to make a cosmetic product meet all national safety and quality standards. Each year the MSPC publishes a list of the top 10 safest cosmetic products.