In the United States, the regulation of cosmetics is the purview of which agency?

• A. the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• B. the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• C. the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
• D. the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

Answer: (B)

Cosmetics in the United States are regulated by the FDA. The Food and Drug Administration governs products intended to cleanse, beautify, or alter the appearance of the human body under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. This includes ensuring ingredients are safe for use, that labeling is truthful and not misleading, and that certain color additives used in cosmetics have appropriate approvals. The FDA does not require pre-market approval for most cosmetics, but it can take enforcement action if a product is unsafe, adulterated, or misbranded. The EPA handles environmental protection and pesticides, the FCC oversees communications, and the CPSC regulates general consumer-product safety. In practice, cosmetics fall under FDA oversight specifically for safety and labeling.