The "Lachaud law", approved by the French Lower Chamber (Assemblée Nationale) on the 3rd of May 2011, which bans Parabens, Phthalates and Alkylphenols, all considered as endocrine disruptors, is still a major topic in the cosmetics world. Reactions are many, from the most outraged to the most pleased, via the most worried. CosmeticObs-L’Observatoire des Cosmétiques had the opportunity to get some of them from first hand.
May 19, 2011
Indeed, to think of
the “Lachaud law”
as an exclusively anti-Parabens law is simplistic, as its topic (
endocrine disruptors
) is far larger. Nevertheless, it has been seen as such by many, maybe even more by the cosmetics industry than by the public at large.
If, by chance, it is enforced (as yet, it is very unlikely), it would be a big concern for the manufacturers more than it would put the consumers’ mind at rest about the safety of the hygiene and beauty products they use every single day.
It is not that easy to substitute Parabens with other ingredients, as efficient, in a formula. It is not enough to delete Parabens and use other preservatives in lieu (it would be so simple…); the formula shall be redesigned, rebalanced, tests for safety and stability shall be again carried out, the parabens-based products shall be retrieved out of the shelves … a dramatically costly process, especially for small-and medium-sized companies, that many of them know they could not bear. And this, without any consideration for the manufacturers of these ingredients, which would lose a major part of their revenues.
Parabens are still widely used, and the …
