International Cooperation on Cosmetic Regulation (ICCR), Outcome of the Meeting Held July 13–15, 2010

Toronto, Canada

The International Cooperation on Cosmetic Regulation (ICCR) held its fourth annual meeting (ICCR-4) July 13-15, 2010 in Toronto, Canada to discuss issues related to cosmetics and cosmetic-like drug/quasi-drug products.  ICCR is an international group of cosmetic regulatory authorities from Canada, the European Union, Japan, and the United States.  This multilateral framework maintains the highest level of global consumer protection, while minimizing barriers to international trade. As part of this meeting, the regulators entered into a dialogue with cosmetics industry trade associations from each region.

• Alternative Test Methods
• Cosmetics Labeling
• Involvement of Interested Parties at ICCR
• Nanotechnology
• Standard Operating Procedures of Working Groups
• Sunscreens
• Trace Contaminants

Outcomes of the Meeting

• Regulators received an updated report on International Cooperation on Alternative Test Methods (ICATM)[1] activities.
• Regulatory authorities will continue to cooperate, to coordinate and to endorse ICATM activities.

 

•  Industry working group identified three areas of labeling misalignment:

   - Small packaging

   - Declaration of net quantity of contents

   - Net content and warnings on aerosol products

• ICCR regulators decided not to form a labeling ICCR WG at this time.

• Regulators will develop criteria to allow interested parties to submit detailed proposals for work items for ICCR members’ consideration..
• Regulators reviewed criteria for new regulatory membership to finalize for future adoption.

• Regulators and industry discussed the report of the ICCR Ad Hoc Nanotechnology Working Group (Nano WG) that was formed in December 2009 to develop criteria for identification of nanomaterials within the context of cosmetic regulation.
• The Report of the ICCR Joint Ad Hoc Working Group on Nanotechnology in Cosmetic Products has been posted on Health Canada's website.

• This Nano WG has concluded its workwith the finalization of the report. A new Nano WG will be formed to examine safety approaches.

• Regulators developed a draft Standard Operating Procedure for Working Groups under the ICCR framework, for adoption in the near future.

• Regulators shared information on approaches to sunscreen regulation.

• ICCR Ad Hoc Traces Working Group provided a status update on the development of a trace materials framework document and recommendations for maximum lead contamination levels.
• Work will continue on the framework document and on recommendations for three trace contaminants (lead, 1,4-dioxane and mercury).