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Update on Cosmetics Act Legislation

Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

I wanted to provide you with an update on the latest news and events from Washington regarding the development of policies that could affect the soap and cosmetics industry in the future. On Thursday, April 18, FDA Commissioner Hamburg testified in front of the Senate Appropriations Committee regarding the FDA budget for the next fiscal year (FY 2014).

In the proposed budget submitted earlier this month by the President to the Congress, the Administration, just as they did last year, called for the establishment of new fees to be imposed on the cosmetics industry in order to stand up a more rigorous regulatory regime. It’s important to note that this is just a proposal at this point and has been introduced for the purposes of discussion. We are still a ways off from any new policies being seriously considered by the Congress, let alone enacted into law.

As you know, I, and other stakeholders from a wide spectrum of the cosmetics industry have been meeting with members of Congress and their staffs as well as the FDA to discuss any potential changes to the regulations impacting the industry and to make sure that the small businesses that make up our industry are protected as best they can be from potentially burdensome new rules and costs. While we’ve made a lot of progress, there is still work to do. [Read more…]

Legislation Update

Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

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We were delighted to host Jay Inslee, former Washington State Representative, at Bramble Berry last week. Jay resigned his seat in March to run for Governor of Washington State. I was particularly excited to get a chance to talk to Representative Inslee about his work for the Energy and Commerce committee, the same committee that works on legislation relating to our industry. [Read more…]

COHE Briefing Call – Febuary 16th

Filed Under: Business Musings

The Coalition of Handcrafted Entrepreneurs works on small business and FDA issues. This is a brief update to bring you up to speed on legislative issues regarding potential cosmetic regulatory reform. With the political transition currently, there are a lot of unknowns legislatively. The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held its cosmetics hearing in September, 2016, and while no announcements were made, it appeared that there was a consensus on the part of senators who participated in the hearing that they would attempt to pass legislation at some point in the future. Senators Collins (R-ME) and Feinstein (D-CA) continue to push their legislation, S.1014, the so-called “Personal Care Products Safety Act.”  Representatives Frank Pallone and Leonard Lance, both of New Jersey, continue to work on the “discussion draft” they released in September. Finally, Pete Sessions has re-introduced the Safe Cosmetics Modernization Act. It is unclear what the change in the White House will do for the regulatory regime overseeing cosmetics.

UPDATE: Representative Pete Sessions of Texas has re-introduced legislation, H.R. 575 or the “Cosmetics Modernization Amendments of 2017,” that would amend existing laws regarding cosmetics regulations.  The bill is nearly identical to the one he introduced last Congress, “The Safe Cosmetics Modernization Act.” H.R. 4075   The effort by Representative Sessions is the first of what is sure to be several initiatives that have the potential to impact the handcrafted industry. Read more about it here.

On Thursday, February 16th (one week from today), there will be a COHE briefing call at 11 a.m. PST. In this briefing call, we will discuss what we expect in 2017 and how you can help the discussion. Don’t hesitate to join the conversation and stay informed on the issues that may impact your small business.

Dial-in: 712-832-8327
Access Code: 6344642

If you have any questions to submit for the briefing, please submit them through the Contact Us page here. Want to receive updates in your email, regarding proposed small business legislation? Sign up for COHE here. 

Soapy Social Media Roundup

Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy weekend everybody! The past few days have been fairly rainy and wet here in Bellingham, to nobody’s surprise. But the days are getting longer and the nights are warmer so signs of spring are popping up. Last weekend we had a few days of sun, so the family took advantage of the weather with an afternoon trip to a Bellingham beach. Below, Jamisen and Lily soak up some sun. Between Jamisen’s inquisitive pose and Lily lounging on the rocks, this photo just cracks me up. =)

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Next week be on the lookout for a St. Patrick’s Day melt and pour project, along with another natural cold process soap. In the meantime, check out the soapy inspiration below from Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.

Pinterest:

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Instagram:
This week there was a lot of green projects. Below is a melt and pour project created with a Celtic Combination mold that will be available soon. The mold includes four cavities featuring different designs. I used an injector tool to fill the details with Evergreen Mica colored soap.

12748292_234716050200656_56082047_nEvergreen Mica also works great in cold process soap. Below is a cold process spin swirl using Evergreen Mica, Kermit Green Mica, Titanium Dioxide and Black Oxide in the 9 Bar Birchwood Mold. We are planning on making this project into a Soap Queen TV video.

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Twitter:

I hope you’re having an awesome weekend.To keep up with soapy social media throughout the week, you can follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine and YouTube and Snapchat.  I’m Bramble-Berry on Snapchat. Don’t forget to tag your soapy projects on Instagram with the hashtag #SoapShare and #PureSoapMaking so I can see what you’re making! =)

Soapy Social Media Roundup

Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy “pre-Thanksgiving” weekend! Are you preparing for Thanksgiving next week? I’m doing a little prep work today to relieve stress. My grocery shopping is done and I did a “test batch” of my Thanksgiving appetizer (see it on the blog tomorrow!). I’ve also got some easy kid activities planned for the day of to keep everybody busy, entertained and happy. I’m looking forward to having my family all together to enjoy a great meal next week. If you’re already planning for Small Business Saturday and you’re local, know that Otion – The Soap Bar has some great discounts planned so plan to get downtown on the 28th after Thanksgiving. =)

In more serious soapy news, Pete Sessions introduced H.R. 4075, “The Safe Cosmetics Modernization Act.” This bill is the latest development in proposed new rules and regulations for cosmetics manufacturing, and is better for the handcrafted industry than the previous bill crafted by Senators Feinstein of California and Collins of Maine. Click here to learn more about the bill. If you’d like to stay up to date on legislation regarding the handcrafted industry, join the Coalition of Handcrafted Entrepreneurs.

Now, back to our scheduled program of soapy inspiration and my favorite links via Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter!

Pinterest:

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Instagram:
Below is a little bath bomb experiment that turned out really well! I used the Disk Mold and Package to create the bath bombs, then painted the top with a mixture of micas and 99% isopropyl alcohol. Tutorial coming soon =)

11910520_915056198530698_511492366_nThe team and I have been working hard to bring in a wide range of new micas! Below are the 16 micas we decided on, I can’t wait to see what you all make with them. The new micas will be available next week =) The micas below are in clear melt and pour, but all work well in cold process with minimal morphing. Which one is your favorite? I love the purple on the bottom left!

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Twitter:

I hope you’re having a wonderful, “pre-Thanksgiving” weekend! To keep up with the latest soapy social media throughout the week, you can follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine and YouTube and Snapchat. To watch my ‘stories’, which include sneak peeks into future projects, add me. I’m Bramble-Berry on Snapchat. Don’t forget to tag your soapy projects on Instagram with the hashtag #SoapShare so I can see what you’re making! =)

Understanding FDA Cosmetic vs. Drug Claims

Filed Under: Business Musings, Tips & Tricks

To sell soap and cosmetics, understanding the rules of making claims about your products is key. These rules and regulations, created by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), are put in place for the safety of consumers. Soap and cosmetics should not make claims that could confuse the product with a drug. The FDA regulates and defines cosmetics, drugs and soap differently. It can be a little tricky to understand these definitions and what type of claims are appropriate for cosmetics, drugs and soap.

What your soap or cosmetic product claims to do may define it as a drug in the eyes of the FDA. Learn more about what types of claims are suitable (or not!) for cosmetics and soap.It’s important to first understand the difference between a cosmetic and a drug, as defined by the FDA. According to the FDA website, the law defines a cosmetic as:
“The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) defines cosmetics by their intended use, as “articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body…for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance” [FD&C Act, sec. 201(i)]. Among the products included in this definition are skin moisturizers, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail polishes, eye and facial makeup preparations, cleansing shampoos, permanent waves, hair colors, and deodorants, as well as any substance intended for use as a component of a cosmetic product.”

In contrast, the law defines a drug as:
“The FD&C Act defines drugs, in part, by their intended use, as “articles intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease” and “articles (other than food) intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of man or other animals” [FD&C Act, sec. 201(g)(1)].”

To summarize this statement, a cosmetic is a product that is used to beautify, or alter the appearance. A drug is a product intended to diagnose, treat or prevent a disease. A product is also considered a drug when it is intended to affect the function of the body.

[Read more…]

Jojoba Beads vs Microbeads, What’s the Difference?

Filed Under: Tips & Tricks

JojobaBeadsvsMicrobeadsExfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells. It’s key to healthy, soft and glowing skin. Exfoliation can be done physically by using an abrasive material on the skin, or chemically with substances such as glycolic acid. There are lots of scrubby exfoliation options for bath and beauty products, click here to learn more. One of the most popular type of exfoliants are jojoba beads, which are produced from jojoba oil. Jojoba beads are commonly mistaken for plastic microbeads. The two products look and feel very much alike, but are vastly different.

Jojoba oil is a liquid wax derived from the jojoba shrub. The wax is processed to a solid wax, which is referred to as a jojoba ester. These jojoba esters are jojoba beads! Spherical in shape, jojoba beads/esters are biodegradable and come in a wide variety of colors and shapes. Jojoba beads make a great choice for a wide variety of bath and beauty products because the edges of the bead are smooth. This smooth shape avoids microscopic tears on the skins surface. The combination of gentle exfoliation and fun colors make them a great choice for scrubs, soaps and other products. Read more about jojoba beads and how to use them in this Sunday Night Spotlight: Jojoba Beads post.

Jojoba Beads (9)Jojoba beads come in a wide variety of sizes and colors.

Microbeads are also used in a wide variety of bath and beauty products. Micorbeads can commonly be found in soap, toothpaste and scrubs. They come in different shapes and colors, and also offer exfoliation. The difference is that microbeads are not made from jojoba oil like jojoba beads. Instead, microbeads are plastic (commonly made of polyethylene).

[Read more…]

Soapy Social Media Roundup

Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy Saturday! Today is another beautiful, sunny day in Washington state. So far, the kiddos and I have had a low-key morning followed by a trip to Farmer’s Market and, continuing to move out of our old home. We enjoyed eggs and chia/hempseed/buckwheat cereal for breakfast, followed by reading lots of new books before all that happened though. Speaking of books, Storey Publishing named Soap Crafting as one of their “Fresh Picks,” for May and the Ebook is now available for only $2.99 all month long! Click here to see the full list of awesome books selected this month. I’m continuing to put the finishing touches on my new book that is scheduled for early 2016…I can’t wait for you all to read it!

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What are you up to this Saturday? If you’re making soap, I’d love to see your projects on our Facebook page. Or, tag your photos on Instagram with the hashtag #SoapShare; I check that hashtag just about everyday =) Check out my favorite pins, tweets and ‘grams if you’re needing a little crafty inspiration!

Pinterest:
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Instagram:
Next week will feature a selection of tutorials inspired by butterflies and bees. On the left is a funnel-pour cold process inspired by the honey bee. On the right is the Stained Glass cold process soap which will be in the Spring Soap Crafting Club.
collageThe weather has been absolutely beautiful in the Pacific Northwest the past few weeks. The kiddos have certainly been enjoying the weather! Below Lily and cousin Alise enjoy the sun =)
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Twitter:

I hope you all have an awesome weekend! To keep up with the latest soapy social media throughout the week, you can follow me on Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine and YouTube and Snapchat. To watch my ‘stories’, which include sneak peeks into future projects, add me. I’m Bramble-Berry on Snapchat.

Join the Coalition of Handcrafted Entrepreneurs

Filed Under: Bramble Berry News, Business Musings

Prior to starting Bramble Berry, I sold soap at local farmers markets. I loved the personal interaction with customers and offering them a premium handmade product. Once Bramble Berry became a reality, my focus shifted to helping other entrepreneurs grow and stabilize their small businesses.

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Selling handmade soap at a local farmers market.

Supporting small businesses in the soap and cosmetic industry has become a top priority of mine. I have experienced the power of this industry first hand, and continue to watch small, soapy businesses change lives. According to a recent industry survey, the Handcrafted Cosmetics Industry is comprised of at least 220,000 small batch producers in the United States. Specifically, more than 95% of those businesses are owned by women.

Currently, cosmetics including handcrafted cosmetics and soaps are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act and the Fair Package Labeling Act. These laws are in place to protect consumers from unsafe and/or mislabeled products. Over the last several years, legislative proposals have been introduced in Congress that would create new regulations on the cosmetics industry. Unfortunately, some of these new proposed rules would negatively impact small business, including new requirements for manufacturing, products, ingredients, labeling and collection of fees. Click here to learn more. I’ve worked on these issues, along with others including Lela Barker, Donna Maria Coles Johnson, Debbie May, Leigh O’Donnell, Kayla Fiorvanti for over 7 years and want to take the next step in formalizing that work.

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To help protect small businesses from harmful policy changes, I started the Coalition of Handcrafted Entrepreneurs. By joining the COHE, you will receive updates on legislative proposals to stay informed and empowered. The COHE enables the voices of small business owners to be heard with calls to action that will help lawmakers make more informed decisions. Click here to join The Coalition to receive updates and information about how you can help and stay informed. It’s free. And, I won’t share your information with anyone. Promise.

In December of 2014, the COHE team and I traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with lawmakers. In particular, time was spent providing feedback about changing cosmetic regulations to Senator Dianne Feinstein’s staff. The COHE team stressed that while we support legislative provisions that protect the consumer, the unique nature of the industry requires protection for the jobs and economic development the industry supports. While progress was made, legislation affecting the cosmetics industry will continue to be explored. We must be vigilant in voicing our opinions on how future changes could affect our industry. Join me!

Soapy Social Media Roundup

Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Welcome to the end of another busy week! The sun has been shining and it’s been a flurry of activity around the office as everyone is getting ready for spring activities.

I’ve been experimenting with lots of Easter-y crafts, including these cute little egg shell candles. I even got to make an awesome frittata with all those egg yolks! In toddler land, Jamisen and Lily are doing well and sometimes they even pause for a half-second so I can get adorable Instagram photos like this. I think they’re the cutest kids in the world, but I may also be a bit biased =)

In the next few weeks, be on the look-out for more contests, Soap Queen TV videos and fresh, fun projects. For now, take a look a my favorite soapy social media items from the past two weeks:

Pins:

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Using Botanical Names in Ingredient Lists

Filed Under: Business Musings

If you’ve set a goal to start selling your soaps at craft fairs, farmer’s markets or online this year, this labeling information is valuable. Knowing how to label your items for sale is not only part of selling best practices, it’s also required by law! Marie Gale, a blogger friend and cosmetic labeling guru, has condensed information from the FDA website to fully explain how to list soapy botanical ingredient on your product labels. If you read nothing else, this is the crux of this guest blog post: “It’s very clear that the FDA, in accordance with the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, wants the common name as the primary name used for botanical ingredients in the ingredient declaration.”

If you’d like to learn more about cosmetic labeling or good manufacturing practices in general, Bramble Berry carries two books by Marie Gale: the Soap And Cosmetic Labeling Book and Good Manufacturing Practices for Soap & Cosmetic Handcrafters. — A.M.

There has been considerable discussion over the years on how botanicals should be listed in the ingredient declaration for cosmetics. Based on information on the FDA website, it is now clear that common names are required, and when used as a secondary listing, Latin names are accepted.

Although the “INCI name” (which usually means the Latin name) is commonly thought to be required, it isn’t – it’s optional.

Important Note: This information applies to soap and cosmetic regulations in the United States. Most other countries require that the Latin name for botanicals is used in the ingredient declaration.

[Read more…]

Happy New Year! Yearly Wrap-Up

Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

 “Here’s a toast to the future, a toast to the past, and a toast to our friends, far and near. May the future be pleasant, the past a bright dream; may our friends remain faithful and dear.”

– Unknown
November Faiola Family 2012

 This year, like all of them, has seemingly flown by. Having a toddler in the house definitely adds to the surreal feeling of time being extremely fleeting. Some of the highlights were: [Read more…]

California Regulation – Comment Period Open

Filed Under: Business Musings

The bulk of the text for blog post is from Professional Beauty Association

On July 27, 2012 the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) issued newly revised proposed regulations under its legislative mandate to provide for Safer Consumer Products through the use of “Green Chemistry” to replace chemicals of concern.  The chemicals of concern (COC) will be based on and include lists prepared by numerous domestic and international bodies that identify both existing and possible chemicals of concern.

Bottom line from Anne-Marie: The financial ramifications of this law have not been determined (see official notice re: determination of financial impacts here). It is unknown what the impact to small business will be. We would urge caution adopting the legislation into law without a full financial overview so the true impact of the legislation is known. You can comment on this until Thursday, October 11  (address and email below). My official comment will be sweet and to the point:

Ms. Von Burg,

I am writing to express concern regarding the newly revised proposed Safer Consumer Product regulations. Specifically, I am concerned about the impact to small business. The fiscal considerations for the proposed changes have not yet been tabulated. For the sake of businesses of all size, but especially small business, please be cautious in adopting regulation where the financial ramification on business is unclear.

Sincerely,

Anne-Marie Faiola

Questionable Fiscal Reprecussions [Read more…]

From Washington to Washington

Filed Under: Personal Ramblings

Wow, has it been a busy last 4 days. In the last 4 days, I’ve flown to Washington DC and back, made halvah from scratch and a from-scratch halvah cheesecake (yes, recipes will be posted! Until then, you can feast your eyes on this photo), spent a day with my family and participated in the annual Mastermind Business retreat. I am energized and tired, all at the same time!

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Washington DC was an efficient, productive trip. Though there are no cosmetic-legislation bills that have made it out of committee this legislative session, it’s important to continue educating lawmakers and their staff on our handcrafted industry and urge small business exemptions for any future legislation. Lawmakers were receptive to the message that small business does not function like a large, mass-scale-production line and that it’s important to preserve over 200,000 jobs in the U.S. by including small business exemptions in any upcoming legislation. New to this issue? Lots of historical information at these blog posts here (going back over 4 years!). [Read more…]