FDA Revokes Proposed Asbestos Testing Rule for Talc-Based Cosmetics
The FDA has retracted a proposed rule that would have mandated standardized testing for asbestos in talc-based cosmetic products. The initial rule, published on December 27, 2024, was a requirement of the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA). It would have compelled manufacturers to test their products using Polarized Light Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy methods.
The revocation, announced on November 28, 2024, was a response to feedback received during the public comment period. These comments highlighted “scientific, technical, and legal complexities” associated with the proposed rule. If the rule had been finalized, products found to contain asbestos would have been classified as “adulterated” under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
An FDA spokesperson assured reporters that the agency remains “committed to assessing the safety and necessity of the use of talc”. They also announced plans to submit a “new proposed rule that offers a more comprehensive approach to reducing exposure to asbestos.”
However, beauty experts have criticized the withdrawal, labeling it as “dangerous and irresponsible”. This criticism stems from the fact that talc deposits often occur near asbestos minerals, which are known carcinogens, during mining processes.