The FDA Globalization Act and why the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is full of hooey

I've waited a bit to write about the new FDA Globalization Act and how it will effect the beauty industry and us, the end consumer. I write every day about companies who may not use the best ingredients or have manufacturing practices that I don't agree with. At the end of the day, I live in America and I believe in the objective right of people to be able to choose. That's why I live in America, instead of say... China. And in many ways, my thoughts about what the government should or should not do, have altered. Greatly. I have been wrong in thinking the FDA or any government agency SHOULD do anything. For my belated lack of understanding, I apologize.

Unlike most of my posts, I will make this one concise. While the actions of companies like Dr. Bronner's and their frivolous lawsuits have probably brought this issues more light than it warranted, the main issue is this: the American government was not created to obstruct the ability of man to create or trade. One should not have to ask permission to make a lawful living. Free men don't ask permission; slaves ask for permission. And by the way, big beauty and their corporations, such as Estee Lauder, were mostly created by women. Women who were sitting in their kitchens with nothing but an idea. This FDA Globalization Act would essentially strip away what these women and many others like them, have created.

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics would have you believe that you need to be protected by the nanny state. That you are not capable, if you're truly interested, in discerning the safety of a beauty product. Allowing the FDA and its minions to take away your basic right to think and act on your own should not be sacrificed. As Benjamin Franklin stated, "Those who give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics have demonized big beauty companies like L'oreal, Estee Lauder, Avon, et al because they have refused to sign their petition. In hindsight, I believe big beauty was correct in not signing it. They, more than anyone, understand that when you give a little, you end up giving a lot. While I would love for the world and the products in it, to have less chemicals, as I've written before, that's impossible unless we live in a bubble. But it's a personal choice to choose. Do I next want the government telling me what color I should wear or whom I should marry? Oh, wait. They're already trying to do that, too.

If you think the FDA protects, I would have you ask the families of those who died during the recent salmonella outbreak their opinions on the ability of a government agency, inundated with minutiae, to protect and keep us safe.

For this basic reason, I urge you to not allow this Act to go through. If you want to pay more money and have very little choice, you can do nothing. Put your makeup on, spritz your hair and hope someone else fights for your basic rights. But every little piece of freedom that's chipped away eventually ends up bigger than we would want.

Donna Maria is going to Washington NEXT WEEK. Send her with your name and let the government know you don't need a nanny.

Feel free to leave your comments here.

Comments

[Andrea]

@ Jillian,

As the writer of the blog, I seldom point out something simply because I disagree. However... my statement regarding the role of government was right on. The founders of this country had already known what men can do with a bit of power, which is why they came to America on the first place.

The government did nothing to save slaves. Not sure what history books you've been reading, but it was the people who created change with both slavery and child labor.

The government, the FDA specifically, is old, tired and isn't needed. The job is beyond a bunch of paper pushers. I know. I worked for the government. Nothing gets done, yet money gets spent.

The government is not meant to be a baby sitter. If people don't have computers, that has nothing to do with the government. That's as ridiculous as the government subsidizing those without HD TV for the switch in 2009.

I'd be happy to send you a pocket copy of the Declaration of Independence. You might get some clarity of the real role government should have and how the people in our ignorance have allowed the wolves to watch the sheep.

AK

[Beauty with a Cause/Julie Ann Price]

I oppose the drafted legislation and have signed Donna Marie's petition. What I am wondering is why the Campaign is in support of it. I understand that they are for safer products but this legislation really does nothing to move that issue forward. How do fees and paperwork equate to safer products? By eliminating small players from the field, the product choices get reduced and consumers are adversly affected. I wish the Campaign would take part in the conversation with Indies. Silence is deadly.

[Dinah Russell]

The FDA is not a little broken. It has become a private agency for big drug and cosmetic companies AND the U.N.

The more I sutdy about this issue and CODEX (The FDA is only the first phase of the CODEX Act) the more I believe it really is time for Americans to step up and retake control of our government. We have created a ruling class in Congress made up of both democrats and Republicans. We need to get both parties out of there while we clean it up and make sure they can't force a "BIG BROTHER" or "Nanny" government on us as they are trying to do. If people want to be taken care of and told what to do, eat, wear, or think then move to Germany. America was created to be a Republic, not a Socialistic government. We need to take back our country. DR

[Jillian]

Lawful, means to be within the law, but the "law" itself has to be created in the first place, so its a weird statement. I totally understand where everyone is coming from, especially on the small business side, and I do want the small business, and the organic business to be protected. I think the FDA is a little broken, and I would like it to be fixed...

[Jillian]

Well, I hope that this legislation doesn't go through, if it makes organic businesses have unreasonable burdens put on them. I only buy organic products and products with full disclosure of ingredients. BUT I have to say I disagree with this quote from the blog:

"the main issue is this: the American government was not created to obstruct the ability of man to create or trade. One should not have to ask permission to make a lawful living. Free men don't ask permission; slaves ask for permission."

The American government prevented the exploitation of slaves and of children, even though there were those who thought it was their right to use them in order "to make a lawful living". And what about those who are suffering from asbestos poisoning, or other environmental toxins they were exposed to at the workplace? Their only recourse is to use the system within the government to make sure the worker is protected. In my opinion, this is similar to what is happening now. People are waking up to possible exposures that they WERE NOT aware of.

Many people look to the government to protect them or believe it is protecting them from those who would exploit them, and I believe that this is going on in the beauty industry as well as others. Not everyone in this country even has access to a computer or the information we so freely trade here on the internet.

My last point is, beyond an individuals right to choose, there is the good of the group, and billions of gallons of detergent and shampoo and lotions and hair dye all going down the drain to what is perceived as "nowhere", is in my opinion, not good for the group. My kids and my kids kids are going to be drinking the water that has supposedly been "purified" and eating the fish that swam in it and hopefully, if it is even still possible down the road, swimming in it themselves.

The government ideally works FOR the people, and if you aren't happy with this legislation, then please oppose it, but please don't oppose the process. Please don't oppose the government being used by the people to protect the people.

[Janet Ray]

I oppose the FDA Globalization Act of 2008. As a person embarking on a small natural skin care business, all of the work, research and passion I have put into creating my specialized skin care products would all be in vain, should these measures prove to be successful. If the legislators pass this act, it will be the end to almost all of the small cosmetics businesses, as such extraordinary fees and regulations are not feasable in an industry that requires the bulk of expenses to be put toward high quality ingredients that go into the making of the much-revered products. Small businesses are the heart and soul of America, and passing legislature that enacts a swift end to one of the most rapidly growing segments of the small business industry would be, in my estimation, un-American.

[Ms. Johnson]

Thank you and Donna and everyone else fighting for our us. Natural products are the safest on the market and we don't deserve this. It will put us all out of business, thereby impacting the manufacturers, label makers and all the other little companies we heavily rely on.

[Cindi]

As a small business owner I always listed the ingredients in everything I sold. I believed it was the right thing to do. What terrifies me about this how can they continally bombard us with Mercury in lightbulbs and all the lead in children's toys and be concerned about soap made with Olive Oil. I wish the government would concern themselves with things that are important and leave us alone.

[B A Parth]

Best of luck in Washington. I'm so happy you are all on the ball about this. In America, I can't believe bills like this even make it as far as they do.

Who is even lobbying for this FDA Globalization Act...unbelievable! In our current Economic climate it's amaizing this would even be considered. It's truly scary. Thank You All for your hard work and dedication.

B A Parth
Sophie Products

[Sharon Kinnier]

Thank you so much for the article. I, just as others here and all over have put time, energy and effort into creating safe, effective products. I, too am a signer of the Compact for Safe Cosmetics. I have sent an email asking that my company be removed from it's list. I will help to keep spreading the word regarding this major blow to our industry.