When we realized Europe had a combined
amount of approximately 1,300
bans and restrictions, while the USA
currently
only had 11 – we grew concerned. We want you to be aware of what you’re up
against, as an American citizen. We want you to understand why such a
difference matters. We want you to know the difference in the prohibitions and
restrictions.
United States of America (USA)
Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Many products tested by
the FDA have undisclosed drugs. You can find a list of recalls, market
withdrawals, and safety alerts – that they actually keep up with by clicking
here and
here
(cosmetics). Don’t forget to sign up for notifications as well.
The Minimal USA Prohibited and Restricted Ingredients
Include:
- Bithionol
- Chlorofluorocarbon Propellants
- Chloroform
- Halogenated Salicylanilides (Di-, Tri-, Metabromsalan And
Tetrachlorosalicylanilide)
- Hexachlorophene
- Mercury Compounds
- Methylene Chloride
- Prohibited Cattle Materials
- Sunscreens in Cosmetics
- Vinyl Chloride
- Zirconium-Containing Complexes
Europe Union (EU)
EU Cosmetics Regulation (EUCR): The EU Cosmetics Regulation
governs the European Union (EU) manufacture of cosmetics. The legislation includes
restrictions on the substances that may, or may not, be included in
cosmetic products. If a substance does not appear in the banned or
restricted list then it is permissible in cosmetic products provided the
manufacturer has the appropriate safety data to ensure the ingredient and the
final product is safe.
However, there are certain other exceptions, since some
ingredients are listed on 'positive lists’. This means that if you want an
ingredient to perform a certain function (color, preservative or UV filter),
you may only use the substances listed and no other, within their list. How
much safer do the requirements across the pond sound compared to our own? It
seems as if they are truly enforcing their prohibitions and restrictions, while
many dangerous products are provided to end-users in the USA, without virtually any screenings.
Should Americans Be Worried?
When the FDA was asked why different ingredients were
prohibited in other countries, and not our own, they replied:
“Different countries
and regions regulate cosmetics under different legal frameworks.”
Seriously? They went onto say: “Under U.S. law, FDA does not
have the authority to require cosmetic manufacturers to submit their safety
data to FDA, and the burden is on FDA to prove that a particular product or
ingredient is harmful when used as intended. We make these decisions based on
reliable scientific information available to us. FDA can take other countries’
decisions into consideration, but we can only take action within the legal and
regulatory framework for cosmetics in the United States”.
What Does This Mean for Americans?
Basically, it means that any product that does not include
the above restrictions can be sold to the public. The only time they can intervene
is when the specific product or an ingredient within said product is harmful to
its end-users, when used as the directions suggest.
My question is, if we are all human beings, and of the human
race, how is it humane to allow something harmful in one part of the earth, and
disallow it in another? Wouldn’t we all still be exposed to danger, regardless
of where we live, if it is the same ingredient, being that we’re all human? If
so, why is a country at the top of the global socioeconomic hierarchy, so far
behind?
We should all be worried about our health. If only 11 items
in the USA are either banned or restricted for certain needs, then imagine what
deadly, cancerous, or brain-damaging items you could be using on a daily basis.
Think twice before you buy. Best practice would to keep a chemistry app on your
smartphone. That way, you can learn new chemicals, keywords, code words, and
what reactions your body may have to said products.
