On May 3, 2011 the French National Assembly voted to pass a bill of law to ban the use phthalates, alkylphenols and parabens in consumer and professional products. However, the ban has only been passed in the first house and is now awaiting review by the Senate.
The potential law is causing a high level of confusion and controversy among the French cosmetic industry. The vote was close with 236 winning over 222.
The Union of Chemical Industries (UIC), a French association representing the French chemical industry, feels the law is a “disproportionate reaction… and excessive degree of precaution, completely disregarding the proper scientific processes and the careful logic applied by the European regulations.”
Consumer advocacy groups, NGOs, and organic and natural cosmetic companies welcome the strong stance the French deputies have taken and are eager to see the bill pass through the senate and become a law.
The vote and potential new law strengthens the manufacturing and branding strategies of organic and natural cosmetic manufacturers. The majority of the natural and organic cosmetic industry has already stopped using or has never used parabens and other endocrine disruptors in their products.
The new legislation will now go in front of the Senate who must approve it before the law is passed.