BY THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL
Report to the Congress of the United States

Lack of authority hampers attempts to increase cosmetic safety

The Congress should authorize the Food and Drug Administration to require cosmetics manufacturers to prove the safety of their products. Because the agency does not have enough authority to effectively regulate cosmetics, products are being marketed which may pose a hazard to consumers. About 125 ingredients available for use in cosmetics are suspected of causing cancer, and about 25 are suspected of causing birth defects although many of the reported adverse effects have not been verified. 30 of the ingredients are known to cause cancer in humans or animals or contain impurities known to cause cancer. The ability of these ingredients to cause toxic effects through cosmetic use has not been determined.

Manufacturers do not have to determine the safety of their products before selling them or tell the Food and Drug Administration what products they are selling and what ingredients are used in them. Many manufacturers have not voluntarily given such information to the agency. As a result, a hazardous cosmetic can be marketed until the Food and Drug Administration obtains information to prove that the product may be injurious to users.

US GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE
HRD 78.139
August 8 1978

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