The personal care industry is well-versed in reformulating. Adjusting the parameters of formulas or using old materials and methods in novel ways allows chemists to re-work old formulas with new tricks they have learned through experience. In a similar mindset, the European chemicals industry has launched its Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH) initiative—a sort of “reformulation” of an old system.
In an industry accustomed to trial and error, one might think it easy to roll along with the change. However, as this new legislation is enacted in Europe, its global magnitude is only beginning to be realized, thus raising new questions:
What is considered a chemical? What is a polymer? What about polymer-excluded substances, peptides and other natural polymers? What chemicals are excluded from REACH? Are any allowed in cosmetics? What chemicals must be preregistered and who registers them? How much will this legislation cost companies? Who will enforce REACH?
To answer such questions and explain the effects of REACH, Cosmetics & Toiletries magazine has pulled together experts to talk on this legislation from various perspectives to explain what it means to the industry as a whole.
During a half-day educational program on April 16, 2007, in Paris, before in-cosmetics, a panel of esteemed speakers will not only educate on the basic facts of the REACH legislation, but also interpret them. This program is unique in that it will address questions that have been unasked, as well as encourage attendees to bring up new ones. On behalf of Cosmetics & Toiletries magazine, I invite you to join us to learn how the legislation will affect you. For more information, visit www.CosmeticsandToiletries.com/summit.
In this issue
In the spirit of reformulating, this issue features five suggestions for improvement in major categories of personal care—from hair dyeing and strengthening, to delivering actives, formula stability and preservation.
Re-examination is one path to progress. There is an old adage: “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” but perhaps the old dog has a few new tricks to offer.
