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GUIDANCE DOCUMENT

Draft Guidance for Industry: Lead in Cosmetic Lip Products and Externally Applied Cosmetics: Recommended Maximum Level December 2016

Draft

Not for implementation. Contains non-binding recommendations.

Docket Number:
FDA-2014-D-2275
Issued by:
Guidance Issuing Office
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Office of Cosmetics and Colors

This guidance provides a recommended maximum level of 10 parts per million (ppm) for lead as an impurity in cosmetic lip products and externally applied cosmetics that are marketed in the United States. FDA (or “we”) has concluded that a recommended maximum level of 10 ppm for lead as an impurity in cosmetic lip products and externally applied cosmetics would not pose a health risk. We consider the recommended maximum lead level to be achievable with the use of good manufacturing practices and to be consistent with the 10 ppm maximum lead level for similar products recommended by other countries. For additional discussion of the scientific and legal background and rationale underlying this recommended level, see “Supporting Document for Recommended Maximum Lead Level in Cosmetic Lip Products and Externally Applied Cosmetics.”

The issuance of this guidance supports our effort to limit human exposure to lead in finished FDA-regulated cosmetic products by educating new manufacturers who wish to enter the market and encouraging current manufacturers to continue to follow or improve on voluntary good manufacturing practices that limit trace amounts of lead as an impurity. This guidance applies to cosmetic lip products (such as lipsticks, lip glosses, and lip liners) and externally applied cosmetics (such as eye shadows, blushes, shampoos, and body lotions) marketed in the United States. This guidance does not apply to topically applied products that are classified as drugs or to hair dyes that contain lead acetate as an ingredient.

FDA’s guidance documents, including this guidance, do not establish legally enforceable responsibilities. Instead, guidances describe our current thinking on a topic and should be viewed only as recommendations, unless specific regulatory or statutory requirements are cited. The use of the word should in FDA guidances means that something is suggested or recommended, but not required.

Download the Draft Guidance

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Submit Comments

You can submit online or written comments on any guidance at any time (see 21 CFR 10.115(g)(5))

If unable to submit comments online, please mail written comments to:

Dockets Management
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, Rm 1061
Rockville, MD 20852

All written comments should be identified with this document's docket number: FDA-2014-D-2275.

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