Which regulatory body is responsible for labeling cosmetics?

• A. The FTC regulates labeling of cosmetics
• B. The EPA regulates labeling of cosmetics
• C. The OSHA regulates labeling of cosmetics
• D. The FDA regulates labeling of cosmetics

Answer: (D)

Cosmetics labeling in the United States falls under the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA sets requirements that labels must be truthful and not misleading, and they govern details such as the product’s identity, net quantity of contents, the name and address of the distributor, and a complete ingredient list in descending order of predominance. For color additives, FDA oversight applies, and any drug-like claims would require appropriate approvals. This authority comes from the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The Federal Trade Commission handles advertising claims, not the label itself, while OSHA and EPA regulate workplace safety and environmental/chemical labeling, respectively, not consumer cosmetic labeling.