The Cosmetic Products Regulation’s “once groundbreaking” ban is now worthless, says PETA, which supported Symrise in two cases challenging animal testing required by the European Chemicals Agency for cosmetics-only ingredients under REACH. Cruelty Free Europe, the European Federation for Cosmetic Ingredients, and Unilever also intervened on Symrise’s behalf.

Brett discusses the BBB National Programs division’s plans for beauty and wellness activities in the new year, the ongoing challenge of getting influencers and brands to disclose material relationships, the FTC’s Health Products Compliance Guidance, and more in a 28 November interview with HBW Insight.

US district judge Mary Rowland decided not to throw out the majority of plaintiffs’ claims against L’Oreal, Revlon, SoftSheen-Carson and other hair-relaxer marketers on 13 November. She says plaintiffs have sufficiently pleaded at this stage that defendants’ negligence resulted in their unknowingly using toxic chemical straightening products on their hair, leading to cancers or other injuries.

Natura says its sale of The Body Shop to international private equity group Aurelius – following its divestiture of Aesop to L’Oreal in a deal that closed in August – is another step toward simplifying operations and refocusing on strategic priorities. More cosmetics news.

The Estee Lauder Companies says Asia travel retail will hammer fiscal 2024 full-year net sales, now expected to be down 2% to up 1%. A new profit recovery plan is designed to drive $800m-$1bn of incremental operating profit over the next two fiscal years, the New York-based firm said on 1 November.

Plaintiff Jaime Givens seeks to represent consumers nationwide in a putative class action in Texas federal court after experiencing an allergic reaction, swollen lymph nodes and chemical burns from use of a Creme of Nature hair color product labeled as “Ammonia Free.”