Groups seek harmony.

* Several cosmetics and personal product trade associations throughout the world, including the CTFA, COLIPA, (Europe) CCTFA (Canada) and JCIA (Japan), have formally proposed to their respective regulators a new forum for global harmonization of regulations for cosmetics and personal care products. The agreement was signed in late February at a meeting of the trade associations prior to the CTFA annual meeting in Boca Raton, Florida.

"Consumers want safe products that are available and consistently regulated across the globe, and companies need predictable regulatory regimes in order to maintain product innovation," said Pamela G. Bailey, CTFA president and chief executive officer. "This new initiative is an important step toward real global regulatory harmonization that will benefit both consumers and companies. It is time that cosmetics and personal care products have the same type of global regulatory alignment that has already been achieved for other FDA-regulated products such as drugs and medical devices through processes in which industry and regulatory authorities participate."

According to CTFA, global alignment and mutual recognition for cosmetics is important because manufacturers currently face country-specific regulations that significantly impact costs and market access. The regulatory harmonization initiative is part of a comprehensive international engagement strategy at CTFA. During the past year, CTFA has been building a more proactive global strategies program in order to better support the important global market opportunities for CTFA members and to advance consumer protection, trade and industry growth globally. CTFA has also expanded its proactive strategic work in China--last summer it sent a mission to China, and last September it hosted a delegation from the Chinese Ministry of Health. The association has also been active on issues with Russia, Korea, Japan and Latin America, collaborating with local industry associations and dealing with government official, and regulators.

In the U.S., CTFA has stepped up its engagement with the U.S. government, meeting regularly with members of Congress and their staff, and with USTR and Commerce Department representatives to ensure that cosmetics and personal care product issues are integrated into the U.S. trade agenda, including the U.S. Korea Free Trade Agreement and the U.S. Japan Regulatory Reform Initiative. CTFA is also active on trade issues in key policy forum. More info: www.ctfa.org.