Yesterday, The Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers and Distributors made history when it tesitified before Congress pushing for legislation to modernize existing regulations, provide greater transparency and equip the FDA with an oversight framework for the 21st century.

“ICMAD was founded to help steward the needs of independent businesses in the cosmetics industry,” said Pam Busiek, president and CEO of the Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers and Distributors. “It is important that any legislation protect the rights of these companies to do business without any undue burdens.” ICMAD members are entrepreneurs and help grow the U.S. economy by creating jobs and economic growth with their ongoing innovative products in the marketplace.

Curran Dandurand, CEO of Jack Black and ICMAD Board member testified that when the company was started there were just three people, now the company employs 39 people and many part-timers and has office and warehouse facilities. “For manufacturing, we rely on independent U.S.-based cosmetic manufacturers, who fill our products. These companies also assist us in the development process of new products for our line,” she said.

According to ICMAD, for the benefit of all stakeholders, consumers, personal care marketers as well as regulators, there needs to be one consistent national standard which protects consumer health and safety and provides clear direction and certainty for the regulated companies and the regulators. This would mean transparency in all health and safety decisions and a single forum where all can participate. ICMAD support the Safe Cosmetics Alliance and followed up with key Congressman personally.

“We support the modernization of the FDA laws that create a National Standard for cosmetics. I believe this will best protect the health and safety of our consumers and provide a strong foundation for growth and success of our small entrepreneurial companies that create jobs here in the U.S,” said Dandurand.

ICMAD is a nonprofit trade association that was founded 38 years ago to provide educational programs and services to assist the small to midsized companies, and to help them succeed in the rapidly changing, highly competitive cosmetics and personal care industries. ICMAD has more than 650 member companies and provides a series of educational and training events to assist its members in understanding and complying with the laws and regulations that govern cosmetic and personal care products. These programs enable ICMAD members to better understand industry best practices in manufacturing and safety standards, as applied to all aspects of developing, manufacturing, distributing and selling cosmetic and personal care products. Since 1983 ICMAD has sponsored educational events at which representatives from FDA office of Cosmetics and Colors and CDER have educated members and nonmembers alike on the FDA’s cosmetic and OTC programs including its voluntary cosmetics registration program. For the complete text of the Council’s expert testimony, see http://energycommerce.house.gov/hearings/hearingdetail.aspx?NewsID=9394.