Key Takeaways:

• Democratic lawmakers recently reintroduced the Safer Beauty Bill Package, which comprises four bills related to cosmetics regulations. 
• The package builds on MoCRA, which has a limited scope that leaves regulatory gaps at the federal level.
• The Safer Beauty Bill Package has been reintroduced in the House and is pending.

The beauty and personal care industry touches the lives of every American. The average American adult uses nine personal care products a day. Recently, there’s been growing concern about chemicals like formaldehyde, mercury, asbestos, and lead in beauty and personal care products, which may be linked to cancer, infertility, poor infant and maternal health outcomes, asthma, and numerous other serious health issues. Since the passage of the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulatory Act (MoCRA) in 2022, increased cosmetic regulations at the federal level have become a bipartisan priority, with multiple updates proposed from politicians on both sides of the aisle.

Last month, Democratic lawmakers came together to reintroduce the Safer Beauty Bill Package. Led by Representatives Jan Schakowsky of Illinois, Lizzie Fletcher of Texas, Doris Matsui of California, and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, the package is made up of four targeted bills with the intent to modernize cosmetics law. Each focuses on a different aspect of product safety, from banning the most toxic ingredients in everyday beauty supplies to creating protections geared towards women of color and salon workers.

"Safe, accessible beauty cannot wait. After more than 80 years of inaction, the United States finally updated its cosmetics laws in 2022. President Biden was able to sign into law MoCRA, which now gives authority to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to recall beauty and personal care products that are harming human health. While this was an important first step, our work is not done,” said Congresswoman Schakowsky in a press release.

The Safer Beauty Bill Package includes:

• H.R. 4433 – Toxic-Free Beauty Act: Bans two classes of chemicals, phthalates and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, and 18 top hazardous substances, including mercury, formaldehyde, and lead, which are already banned in several US states and the European Union 
• H.R. 4434 – Cosmetic Supply Chain Transparency Act: Requires that raw material suppliers provide comprehensive ingredient and safety data to cosmetic companies to support safer product development 
• H.R. 4435 – Cosmetic Hazardous Ingredient Right to Know Act: Mandates that all potentially hazardous ingredients, including undisclosed fragrances and flavors, be listed on labels and websites, with links to detailed safety information 
• H.R. 4436 – Cosmetic Safety Protections for Communities of Color and Professional Salon Workers Act: Allocates $30 million for research, public education, and development of safer alternatives focusing on women of color and salon workers and tasks the FDA with overseeing the safety of synthetic hair products

“I am glad to partner with Congresswoman Schakowsky to reintroduce the Toxic-Free Beauty Act to protect the health and safety of people across the country by banning chemicals known to cause significant harm in beauty products,” Congresswoman Fletcher said in the press release.

The Safer Beauty Bill Package is an updated version of a similar package that lawmakers first introduced in 2021. This collection of legislative initiatives builds on MoCRA, which was signed into law by President Biden in 2022 and granted the FDA authority over cosmetics, including the ability to conduct mandatory recalls and require adverse event reporting. MoCRA marked the first major overhaul of US cosmetics regulations in nearly a century and was widely praised by consumers, clean beauty brands, and industry advocates as long overdue. Still, many argue it fell short of the intended goals of product safety, leaving significant gaps that this new package aims to close.

What’s Next for the Safer Beauty Bill Package

Overall, this package represents a significant step forward for cosmetics regulations, but, like other proposed federal cosmetic regulatory updates, it’s still too early to tell whether it will be signed into law. As of August 2025, the Safer Beauty Bill Package has been formally reintroduced in the House of Representatives; however, it remains pending, awaiting committee deliberation, potential revision, and votes.

Backed by a broad coalition of over 150 organizations—including environmental advocacy groups, consumer safety organizations, and clean beauty companies—the Safer Beauty Bill Package has the widespread support it needs to proceed to the next stage if cleared by the relevant committees, which is the House floor. Should it pass the House, the package must then navigate the Senate before reaching the President's desk for signature. Consumer safety groups and lawmakers are calling for swift action, emphasizing the need to close regulatory gaps that MoCRA left behind.