As previously reported in CosmeticsDesign, in January of this year, the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) hired Thomas J. Myers as its new president and CEO. Mr. Myers previously served as the organization’s executive vice president of legal and regulatory affairs and general counsel, succeeding former chairman Leslie Westin, who had held that role since 2009.
We spoke with Meyers to discuss his thoughts on the personal care products industry in 2023, his insights into the year ahead, the biggest issues facing the cosmetics and personal care products industry today, and how PCPC will help them. We interviewed them about how they plan to deal with it. , and his predictions for the most influential trends of 2024.
CDU: Looking ahead to the year ahead, do you have any thoughts about 2023?
Thomas Myers (TM): As we begin 2024, I am honored to take the helm as PCPC’s new President and CEO. I have been fortunate to work with Leslie Westin for over 10 years and am passionate about advancing the priorities she has set forth.
PCPC celebrated the enactment of the bipartisan Cosmetic Modernization Regulatory Act (MoCRA) in December 2022, and the organization has been supporting FDA’s implementation over the past year. This landmark legislation renews FDA oversight of our sector and provides enhanced regulatory tools critical to ensuring product safety, fostering innovation, and strengthening consumer confidence. provided to the FDA.
For more than a decade, PCPC and its member companies have worked with a bipartisan group of Congressional leaders and a wide range of stakeholders to modernize FDA’s regulatory authority for the industry and provide the safety peace of mind that consumers expect and deserve. We have provided. PCPC will continue to work collaboratively with FDA on implementation and will also advocate for Congress to provide $7 million in funding to FDA to meet this obligation.
We also supported efforts to work with policymakers to foster regulatory and scientific advances that move the world closer to eliminating the need for animals in safety testing of personal care products and cosmetics. Our industry has consistently sought government approval for non-animal testing methods to ensure safety. And that commitment continues with our strong support for the Humane Cosmetics Act, introduced in both houses of Congress last year.
Additionally, we continued to advocate for the SHOP SAFE Act, which aims to protect consumers from counterfeit products sold online. E-commerce platforms create opportunities for legitimate businesses to grow and reach new consumers, offering more choice and convenience.
However, current structures are vulnerable to exploitation and contribute significantly to the growth of illegal trade. Counterfeit personal care products harm businesses, bypass regulatory protections, and, more importantly, threaten the health and safety of consumers.
Consumers need assurance that the products they buy online are just as safe and effective as those they buy in-store. Our member companies invest significant resources to ensure the safety and quality of their products, and U.S. law holds them responsible for doing so.
PCPC’s work consistently advances policies that advance science-driven product safety and innovation in the beauty and personal care industry and strengthen consumer confidence.
CDU: What are you most looking forward to at PCPC in 2024?
TM: As I step into my new role, my predecessor has reminded me that partnerships are important.
To that end, multi-stakeholder partnerships are and will continue to be essential to the successful implementation and advancement of MoCRA in the coming years. Through comments, education, platforms, and technology testing, PCPC provides FDA with constructive feedback on the application of the new law and ensures that FDA considers the perspectives of the regulated community.
FDA’s enhanced capabilities provide a unified national framework for modern cosmetics regulation. Collaboration between government, industry, NGOs, and other stakeholders can deliver meaningful benefits to consumers while protecting public health. MoCRA ensures that the cosmetics and personal care products sector continues to innovate and deliver safe and effective products that consumers trust and rely on every day.
Our industry also continues to make an exceptional commitment to sustainability, with more than half of our member companies integrating sustainable business practices into their operations, and 56% of CEOs We recognize this as one of our top priorities.
Our member companies’ efforts range from minimizing waste to promoting renewable resources, but I believe we can do more to reduce our environmental impact and pioneer sustainable practices. I am thinking.
Addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is an important goal of PCPC. I am firmly committed to continuing to diversify PCPC’s staff and leadership.
As an organization, we are working toward this goal by actively listening during employee town hall meetings, considering hiring and promotion practices that foster more inclusive behavior, and holding training sessions on the importance of DEI. We have taken concrete measures.
Our member companies promote diverse leadership to ensure their products meet the diverse needs of consumers. Women make up nearly 80% of the beauty and personal care industry’s workforce, and people of color make up 33% of the workforce. Nevertheless, we know that we are not perfect and that there is still much work to be done.
In 2024 and beyond, consumers can continue to trust the industry’s commitment to science, safety, and the well-being of people and the planet.
CDU: What do you think is the biggest issue currently facing the cosmetics and personal care products industry and why?
TM: Misinformation has been circulating for years that certain ingredients in personal care products are harmful to the environment and consumers. These claims often lack an understanding of the science behind our industry’s products.
Nothing is more important to our industry than ensuring product safety. Science and safety are the cornerstones of our member companies, and we are committed to providing a variety of safe, innovative products that enhance consumer well-being. We strongly believe that sound science should drive important policy discussions.
CDU: How does the PCPC intend to address these issues?
TM: PCPC is a trusted and respected voice and advocate for the industry. As a trusted source and resource, PCPC actively educates and engages stakeholders about the industry’s commitment to safety and innovation, and works with policymakers and advocacy groups to promote sound science and safety. We are working to update state and federal laws based on this.
Consumers around the world trust CosmeticsInfo.org, our science and safety resource, for accurate, trusted information about industry innovations and the thousands of ingredients used in cosmetics and personal care products. doing.
Developed and maintained by scientists and experts in the field, CosmeticsInfo.org provides science and safety information about cosmetics and personal care products: how they work, and the safety behind the commonly used ingredients. A comprehensive information database containing data that supports the science.
CDU: How does 2024 fit into the PCPC’s five-year progress plan?
TM: Regardless of the year, PCPC will continue to promote public policy based on sound science. Sound, science-based information is beneficial to everyone and can give consumers more confidence in the products they enjoy every day.
Consumer trust and transparency are paramount to our industry. For example, while PCPC member companies have long provided more product information than is required by law, cosmetic manufacturers are required to list each product with the FDA, including ingredients and location of manufacture, so MoCRA will further increase transparency.
Cosmetic product labels for consumers and professionals must identify each fragrance allergen contained in the product. By giving consumers more access to information from manufacturers, they can make informed choices about the products that are best for them and their families.
Everyone has the right to know what is in their products and understand why certain ingredients are used.
CDU: As the MoCRA enforcement deadline takes effect, what is your advice to cosmetics and personal care product companies regarding compliance activities?
TM: PCPC will continue to work with FDA to provide recommendations for implementation of MoCRA, including improvements to the new Cosmetics Direct platform recently launched for cosmetic facility registration and product listing as required by MoCRA . PCPC provides guidance to member companies and encourages them to submit facility registrations and product listings to Cosmetics Direct by the July 1, 2024 deadline.
CDU: What predictions do you have for the biggest trends in the beauty industry in 2024?
TM: There is a growing trend among consumers towards health and wellness, and consumers are demanding “multidimensional” cosmetics. Consumers want cosmetics that align with their personal values and are willing to spend more money on products that align with them.
Young consumers are also increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of the products they use, and are looking for products with natural and organic ingredients, sustainable sourcing, reduced packaging, or easy to recycle/ We are increasingly purchasing products that we perceive to be less harmful, such as biodegradable packaging.
We face many environmental challenges, but PCPC member companies believe that by working with governments and NGOs, we can create meaningful change. Our member companies remain committed to making measurable progress on climate change and sustainable and responsible supply chains.
CDU: Is there anything else you would like to add?
TM: I’m proud to lead an industry that improves people’s well-being and makes a positive contribution to the world. On behalf of our member companies, I am ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities ahead and build a future that is sustainable, fair, holistic and, of course, beautiful for all of us.
