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U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
Government
USEst. 1906
Regulator Facts
U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
Government
US · Est. 1906

The FDA regulates cosmetics under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Unlike drugs, cosmetics do not require pre-market approval from the FDA. The agency can take action against products that are adulterated or misbranded, and maintains a list of prohibited or restricted color additives. The Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) of 2022 expanded FDA authority to require adverse event reporting, facility registration, and product listing.

Jurisdiction
US
Founded
1906
Funded By
U.S. federal government (taxpayer-funded)
The Other Side
The FDA has historically been criticized for weak cosmetics oversight. Prior to MoCRA (2022), the agency had limited authority to require safety testing, recall products, or mandate ingredient disclosure beyond labeling. Consumer advocates argue the FDA still lacks the resources to enforce MoCRA effectively. The EU bans over 1,600 cosmetic ingredients while the FDA's prohibited list is much shorter, though direct comparisons are complicated by different regulatory frameworks.
Parent Organization

None — federal regulatory agency