The Washington State Department of Ecology will try to work with companies that violate the Toxic Free Cosmetics Act, rather than reflexively imposing the $5,000-per-violation fine for first-time offenders, says the law’s implementation planner. She noted financial assistance is available for small businesses, as well as incentives for companies adopting measures “beyond compliance.”

Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act planner Shari Franjevic acknowledges the Washington State Department of Ecology is authorized to use enforcement discretion regarding the new law’s 1ppm limit on trace lead in cosmetic products, effective 1 January 2025, or raise the ceiling via rulemaking. But it does not seem inclined to do either based on data known to the department at present. 

Italian personal care and beauty manufacturer Sodalis Group will acquire Alberto V05, Zest soap, Sure deodorants and other personal care brands in a transaction with current owner Tengram Capital Partners expected to close by the end of October. Recent years have seen high private equity activity in cosmetics and personal care.

Unilever PLC has appointed former jewelry company executive Mary Carmen Gasco-Buisson to lead its fast-growing prestige division. The Estee Lauder Companies announces the retirement of 28-year company veteran and group president, North America, Mark Loomis. More beauty industry leadership news.

Cosmetics Europe’s John Chave highlights the important role that industry must have in educating the public about chemicals used in cosmetic products. The association’s COSMILE Europe database launched last year is one such measure to combat misinformation while industry braces for potential impacts resulting from new hazard categories under the Classification, Labeling and Packaging (CLP) regulation.

FTC Commissioner Melissa Holyoak says the agency has acted outside the bounds afforded by Congress, citing several areas within consumer protection, including a recent update to the final rule for the Health Breach Notification Rule and the commission’s use of notices of penalty offense to serve as the basis for Section 5 settlements.