ESG

Plastics – specifically the reduction of virgin plastic in packaging and the move to recyclable or refillable packaging – is one of nine priority topics Kenvue is focused on as part of its global sustainability strategy, according to the company’s global head of packaging innovation, sustainability and experience, David Lickstein.

The Fragrance Creators Association president and CEO discusses the group’s vision for fragrance industry stewardship and opportunities provided by AI, biotechnology and wellness trends in an exclusive Q&A with HBW Insight.

A draft declaration to be presented to the UN General Assembly in September suggests that a “lack of regulation of over-the-counter use of antimicrobials” is one of the “drivers of antimicrobial resistance.” Industry, however, insists that misuse and over-prescription of antibiotics are the primary drivers of AMR, and is advocating for the text to be amended accordingly. 

Perfect Corp. identifies waste reduction at beauty retail as the most effective AI-driven strategy for improved sustainability, based on a survey of C-level industry executives summarized in its report, "The Most Influential AI Trends in Beauty and Fashion."

Marketing authorizations for OTC medicines could be rejected if their environmental risk assessments do not meet new requirements proposed within the EU pharma legislation revision. HBW Insight speaks to regulatory law experts Tine Carmeliet and Eline D'Joos to find out what you need to know about the new rules.

Consumers increasingly demand more from health and wellness brands, particularly valuing those that connect wellness with the home environment, PA Consulting's Rhea Patten explains, in this episode of HBW Insight’s Over the Counter podcast. Consumer health companies also now have a responsibility to contribute to global wellbeing, which can in turn enhance brand impact and drive business growth.

In addition to sustainability, Myers noted DEI and advancing alternatives to animal testing among key priorities for the group. “We have member companies that really lead the way on many of those. We want to be able to amplify their good work and their messaging, because they are good corporate citizens” and “it’s what consumers are demanding anyway,” he said in an interview.

Legislator education is key to checking state bills that overreach, says Ross, executive VP of government affairs at the Personal Care Products Council, discussing the rising tide of US state bills aimed at restricting ingredient use.

In this episode, HBW chats with Michael Washburn, principal at Washburn Consulting, on how producers of single-use packaging subject to extended producer responsibility laws rolling out in Oregon, Colorado and California next year can tackle the tedious work of collecting data on packaging materials. 

The plastic-neutral retailer of personal care, health and wellness, household cleaning and other sustainable products has been focused on enhancing its customer experience and expanding its third-party assortment as it progresses toward long-term, profitable growth. The company revealed on 1 July that it will not be Plastic-Free by 2025, but is on track to avoid 15 million pounds of plastic by 2030.

The European Chemicals Agency’s committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) are evaluating sector by sector the proposed REACH restriction on PFAS and more than 5,600 public comments, reaching provisional conclusions on cosmetics at their June meetings. A date has not been set to consider PFAS uses in medical devices, which are numerous, essential, and in many cases devoid of alternatives, industry says.

The Fashion Institute of Technology’s “Beauty Think Tank” provides findings from six months of consumer research to “help guide organizations through the evolving landscape of beauty and accessibility.”

In what could amount to a de facto enforcement mechanism, the new draft guidance also “strongly encourages” sponsors to share details about their diversity action plan and enrollment goals with the public.

New draft guidance on clinical trial diversity action plans pushes for disproportionately high enrollment of traditionally underrepresented groups, while also asking companies to tailor global programs to US populations and consider diversity aspects that Congress did not outline. 

A Connecticut bill signed into law on 28 May requires barbers, hairdressers and cosmeticians to be educated and trained on textured hair. Niles + Chaz launches with four products designed for children with “mixed-textured hair,” while Rion Aesthetics says (plated) Hair Serum is the first and only product of its kind with platelet-derived exosomes. More hair-care news.

The European Council adopts its negotiating position with regards to the Green Claims Directive, which aims to prevent greenwashing and empower consumers in making informed, environmentally conscious purchasing decisions. While small and medium-sized enterprises stand to specifically benefit from the Council's more flexible approach, companies in general may be allowed to make certain explicit environmental claims without third-party verification.

In this episode of HBW Insight's Over the Counter podcast, we chat with women’s health start-up The SABI about the power of herbal medicine for hormonal wellness.

The Personal Care Products Council’s "Beauty of Impact, Economic & Social Contributions Report 2024" illustrates the strength of the US personal-care industry, which added $308.7bn to gross domestic product and accounted for 4.6 million jobs in 2022.

Industry can look forward to a global OTC market compound annual growth rate of around 7% over the next few years, according to IQVIA Consumer Health. Innovation will be key to ensure individual companies realize this level of growth. IQVIA CH's Amit Shukla and Simon-Kucher & Partners' Clemens Oberhammer point to some key consumer trends to keep an eye on at the recent AESGP Annual Meeting in Brussels. 

Failing to take sufficient action on climate change could be a costly business for consumer health companies. However, the good news from the AESGP's 60th Annual Meeting in Brussels, Belgium, is that at least half of the cost of decarbonizing will be balanced by savings, according to Boston Consulting Group. And climate change adaption will present firms with a wide variety of opportunities for product innovation, IQVIA Consumer Health's Volker Spitzer tells delegates.