This week, Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, helped to advance H.R. 5279, the Cosmetic Safety Enhancement Act of 2019. Kuster’s amendment requiring the FDA to prioritize PFAS chemicals as part of reviews of cosmetic ingredients was included in the bill, which was approved by the committee. The Cosmetic Safety Enhancement Act of 2019 would empower the FDA to conduct safety reviews of cosmetic ingredients and mandate recalls of products associated with serious health events. PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, is in many cosmetic and personal care products including waterproof mascara and eyeliner, eyeshadow, and foundation.

“I am alarmed by our nation’s lack of regulation in personal care products, leaving Americans susceptible to potentially dangerous chemicals, including PFAS,” said Kuster. “From makeup to shampoo, consumers deserve to know that the products they use are safe for them and their families. I was proud to offer this amendment to this important legislation and I look forward to supporting the Cosmetic Safety Enhancement Act of 2019 on the floor of the House.”

Kuster has been vocal about the need to address PFAS and other contaminants in New Hampshire. In December, Kuster joined her Energy and Commerce Committee colleagues for a hearing on empowering the FDA to ensure all cosmetic and personal care products are safe. Earlier this year, the House passed the PFAS Action Act of 2019, which would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish a maximum contaminant level goal for PFAS and establish national drinking water safeguards for PFAS chemicals - Kuster’s bill, the Protecting Communities from New PFAS Act, was included in that legislation and would prevent new PFAS chemicals from being approved through the EPA’s pre-manufacture notice system. The 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) increased funding for the study of PFAS as requested by Kuster. She has also called on the Trump Administration to immediately release a toxicology report about widespread water contamination from perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS).

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