Voluntary Cosmetic Registration Program (VCRP) and Safe Cosmetics

I had an opportunity to interview Don Havery with the FDA Office of Cosmetics and Colors in regards to the Voluntary Cosmetic Registration Program {VCRP}. Here is what Don had to say:

 

What is your role in regards to the VCRP?

I am the administrator of the Voluntary Cosmetic Registration Program (VCRP) program. I am responsible for daily operation, answering questions, troubleshooting the program when issues come up, and making changes to the program that improve its operation.

What is the VCRP?

The VCRP is an FDA program that collects information on cosmetic manufacturing establishments (facilities) and cosmetic products and their ingredients that are in commercial distribution in the U.S. The program has been in operation since 1973. In 2005 the program was modified to allow submission of information electronically over the internet which has made participation in the VCRP much easier.

Why should a manufacturer register with the VCRP?

The VCRP helps FDA in its mission to protect consumers. It also helps cosmetic manufacturers and distributors make informed decisions about ingredient use in their products. For example, if it is determined that a cosmetic ingredient presently being used is harmful and should be removed from product use, FDA can notify the manufacturers and distributors of affected products. Since the VCRP is the only source of information about what products are on the market, firms that do not participate in the program won’t receive that information directly. Information from the VCRP database also assists the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel in determining its priorities for ingredient safety review. The CIR is an industry-funded panel of scientific experts that regularly assesses the safety of cosmetic ingredients. Since cosmetic manufacturers are responsible for assuring that their products and the ingredients in them are safe, participating in the VCRP is one way of supporting the safety review process since VCRP data is used to by the CIR safety review program (See http://www.cir-safety.org).

How many manufacturer’s are presently registered?

We currently have 1,168 firms that have filed 38,450 active products in the VCRP.

How does the FDA handle communicating to the companies registered in the VCRP?

Since 2005 when the electronic program was initiated, FDA communicates with VCRP participants primarily via email. More than 99% of current VCRP participants do so using the electronic program. For those firms that participate using paper forms, FDA communicates with them using traditional mail or by telephone.

Can a company register online?

Yes, online is the easiest and fastest way to participate in the VCRP program and there is no cost to participate.

How is the manufacturer’s information used?

The VCRP data provides FDA with information on what products are currently on the market, what ingredients are used in them, and how frequently specific cosmetic ingredients are used. The data is also used to support the CIR safety review program.  (See earlier answer.)

Do you have anything else to add to why a company should register?

Both the FDA and cosmetic manufacturers have a common interest in assuring that cosmetics are safe for their intended use by consumers. Since FDA does not have premarket approval authority for cosmetic products or their ingredients (with the exception of color additives), the VCRP is FDA’s primary source of information on what cosmetic ingredients are being used, and what products are on the market. The more firms that participate in the VCRP program, the more information FDA has, and the better able FDA is able to assure that cosmetics on the market are safe for the U.S. consumer.

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More about the author:  Lisa is the CEO, Founder and Creator Extraordinaire of Cactus & Ivy, a manufacturer of cruelty free and vegan spa, bath and body products. Read more from this author

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