Aromatherapy and Essential Oils Blog - AromaTalk

The Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010 May Be Hazardous To Your Health

I refuse to allow anyone to advertise on AromaWeb if I have concerns over their products or ethics, and I'm in favor of legislation that protects consumers against misleading claims and deceitful marketing. I'm also in favor of sensible legislation that protects consumers from purchasing and using toxic or mislabeled products. But my key phrase here is sensible legislation.

H.R. 5786 Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010 would make it nearly impossible for honest small businesses that sell products made with safe, natural ingredients to stay in business. It would also harm many ingredient suppliers and wholesalers that sell to small businesses and directly to consumers. The regulations, costs and red tape would make it prohibitive for most to be able to comply or be able to afford to remain in business. This not only will harm small, honest businesses, but will also negatively impact consumers. Safe, natural alternatives would become scarcer. Prices would certainly rise even more in this already stressed economy. To date, it's been smaller businesses that have had a gentle but widespread voice in waking up America to the benefits of using products made with primarily natural ingredients. But now, this act could do far more damage than good for us all.

We do need legislation in place that helps consumers, but this act could be hazardous to your health. Join in learning the details about this legislation and sign the petition to fight it...

Donna Maria Coles Johnson, AromaWeb advertiser and founder of the Indie Beauty Network is aggressively leading the fight against this legislation and has created a OpposeSCA.com to explain the many concerns about this act. The site also provides updated news and additional ways that you can help make your voice heard and make a difference. If you use Twitter, follow the #OpposeSCA hashtag.

OpposeSCA.com

Sign the Petition: Oppose HR 5786: Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010

Oppose the Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Act

UPDATE:
The Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Bill failed in hearings today, 3/1/2010. For excellent coverage, read Update: HB 10-1248 Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Bill Fails in Committee on the Winged Seed blog and dM's ongoing coverage via Indie Beauty Network and the Indie Business Blog.

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I'm in favor of legislation that more actively protects consumers against misleading claims and deceitful marketing. I'm also in favor of sensible legislation that protects consumers from unknowingly purchasing and using toxic products. But my key phrase here is sensible legislation. Most anything that we use or consume can be hazardous or carcinogenic if used in excess. Body, mind, spirit and overall well-being is all about balance.

One particular foolish act of legislation, the Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Act, is shaping into a bill that will make it illegal to sell personal care products that contain any cancer causing ingredients within the state of Colorado. Put as simply as possible, a good number of natural ingredients can be considered cancer-causing per this bill's language - simply because they contain very trace amounts of constituents that are considered carcinogenic. But the amounts of carcinogens are typically so tiny that the quantity of botanicals used would never reach the level needed to pose harm, and the benefits of many of these natural ingredients far outweigh these trace hazards. A loose comparison falls along the lines of banning apples because apple seeds contain trace amounts of cyanide.

Robert Tisserand explains the dilemma well in his blog post entitled Tunnel Vision.

I still have much to learn regarding the intricacies of this legislation, and I have many initial questions. If put into law, it leaves me wondering at the total impact this will have upon the natural personal care industry especially artisans and small businesses. And the problem could magnify if other states follow in Colorado's footsteps. It also leads me to wonder how this could potentially impact the sale of natural ingredients in Colorado. If many natural personal care products can no longer be sold in Colorado (or at least not sold by small artisans who will have more difficulty competing against large scale commercial manipulators), it leads me to wonder if we could see an increase in Colorado consumers purchasing the raw ingredients to make natural products themselves. Those are my raw, preliminary questions.

I don't live in Colorado, I am not a lawyer, and I don't sell personal care products. I love making my own products and sharing recipes via AromaWeb, but I don't offer any products for sale. Someday, I may. If big brother approves (sarcastically speaking).

For more information and views on the Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Act, read the following blog posts from these valued AromaWeb supporters:

• Oppose the Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Act
  - Indie Beauty Network
• The Colorado No Product Law
  -Nature's Gift
• Time To Nip It In The Bud: OPPOSE Colorado House Bill 1248, the Safe Personal Care Products Act (also includes a thorough list of many more blog posts)
  - Samara Botane
• Colorado Safe Personal Care Products Act :: Take Action Immediately
  - Essential Wholesale

Even if you do not live in Colorado, I encourage all consumers, artisans and personal care businesses to make their voice heard. Donna Maria Coles Johnson, founder of the Indie Beauty Network is a strong voice for indie artisans and small businesses (and is a long time advertiser of AromaWeb). You can keep abreast of the latest news regarding this act by visiting the Indie Beauty Network and the Indie Business Blog.

To Make Your Voice Heard:
Colorado Cosmetics: Template Letter You Can Edit And Use (With Contact Information)