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  1. Office of the Chief Scientist

Office of Cosmetics and Colors Also referred to as: OCAC

For broader cosmetics information, please visit FDA Cosmetics.  

 

Vision

Provide the American public continuing access to safe cosmetics and color additives by:

  • Incorporating emerging scientific knowledge and cutting-edge technologies 
  • Providing the highest level of consumer protection, education and outreach 

Mission

  • Responsible for the regulatory oversight of color additives and cosmetics manufactured, distributed, and retailed in the United States. 
  • Regulates cosmetics under the authority of the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act (FD&C), the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA), and the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA). the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA). 
  • Regulates color additives under the authority of the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act (FD&C), and the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA). 
  • Develops guidelines, regulations, and policies for cosmetics and color additives. 
  • Communicates policy, guidance and other information on cosmetics and color additives to the public, affected industry, and other stakeholders, including international regulatory bodies. 
  • Provides expert scientific and technical advice and support on cosmetic products and ingredients, and color additives to other FDA units, other governmental organizations, the public, industry stakeholders, and international regulatory bodies. 
  • Provides subject matter expertise in the compliance and enforcement actions for cosmetics and color additives. 
  • Administers the Color Certification program, including laboratory testing and methods research. 

Functions

  • Provides direction, management, and oversight of compliance activities related to cosmetics and color additives. 
  • Take appropriate compliance actions related to cosmetics and color additives, in coordination with internal and external stakeholders. 
  • Administers the Color Certification program, including laboratory testing and methods research. 
  • Provides subject matter expertise and work in close collaboration with other FDA Centers and Offices and international counterparts in areas including New Alternative Methods, cosmetic ingredient reviews, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, pre-market reviews of color additive petitions, heavy metals analysis, consumer education and other high-profile public health initiatives related to cosmetics and color additives.  
  • Communicates cosmetics and color additives related information to local, state, federal and international stakeholders, such as the International Cooperation on Cosmetics Regulation (ICCR), Cosmetics Ingredient Review (CIR), expert panels led by United States Pharmacopeia (USP), International Cooperation on Cosmetics Regulation (ICCR), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR).
  • Performs Health Hazard Evaluations (HHE), hazard and risk assessments related to cosmetics and colors. 
  • Fosters and support high quality, mission targeted FDA collaborative and extramural research to enhance product evaluation tools.  
  • Supports administrative functions for the office including budget execution, travel, and human resources, in coordination with the Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS). 

Resources



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