To amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to cosmetic safety, with an emphasis on communities of color and professional salon workers, and for other purposes.
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
IntroducedMs. Schakowsky (for herself, Ms. Pressley, Mrs. Dingell, Mr. Evans …
Summary
What This Bill Does
The Cosmetic Safety for Communities of Color and Professional Salon Workers Act of 2025 (HR 4436) creates new federal programs to protect people who are disproportionately exposed to potentially harmful chemicals in cosmetic products.
Key initiatives include:
- Research grants to study health effects of cosmetics marketed to communities of color
- Research grants to study workplace exposures for salon workers
- Grants for developing safer chemical alternatives
- Two national resource centers (Beauty Justice and Salon Worker Health)
- Requirements for multilingual safety data sheets for professional cosmetics
- FDA regulation of synthetic braids as cosmetics
Who Benefits and How
Communities of Color (especially women and girls):
- Gain access to research about chemicals in products marketed to them
- Receive culturally appropriate education about safer cosmetic choices
- Benefit from National Resource Center on Beauty Justice outreach
Professional Salon Workers (nail technicians, hair stylists, barbers):
- Gain workplace health protections through OSHA requirements
- Receive safety data sheets in multiple languages (English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean)
- Access training through National Resource Center on Salon Worker Health and Safety
Minority-Owned Cosmetic Companies:
- Eligible for grants to create safer product formulations
Research Institutions and Community Organizations:
- Eligible for .5M in research grants (health disparities)
- Eligible for .5M in research grants (salon worker health)
- Eligible for M in safer alternatives research
- Eligible for M annually for resource centers
Who Bears the Burden and How
Cosmetic Manufacturers and Importers:
- Must develop and translate safety data sheets into multiple languages
- Must make safety data sheets available on websites
- Face new compliance requirements for synthetic braids
Distributors of Professional Cosmetics:
- Must distribute safety data sheets in same manner as chemical hazard distributors
Salon and Spa Operators (Employers):
- Must maintain safety data sheets in workplace
- Must provide translations upon employee request
- Face new workplace safety requirements
Federal Agencies:
- HHS receives mandate to conduct research and issue reports
- FDA must regulate synthetic braids and establish safety standards
- OSHA/Secretary of Labor must issue new workplace standards within 18 months
Key Provisions
- Section 3: Authorizes .5M for research on health disparities in cosmetics affecting communities of color
- Section 4: Authorizes .5M for research on salon worker health concerns
- Section 5: Authorizes M for grants to develop safer cosmetic chemicals
- Section 6: Establishes National Resource Center on Beauty Justice (M/year, FY2026-2030)
- Section 7: Requires multilingual safety data sheets (OSHA standard within 18 months)
- Section 8: Establishes National Resource Center on Salon Worker Health and Safety (M/year, FY2026-2030)
- Section 9: Brings synthetic braids under FDA cosmetic regulation; allows states to set stricter standards
Evidence Chain:
This summary is derived from the structured analysis below. See "Detailed Analysis" for per-title beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
Primary Purpose
This bill addresses cosmetic safety concerns for communities of color and professional salon workers by funding research on health disparities from cosmetic chemical exposures, establishing resource centers, requiring multilingual safety data sheets, and regulating synthetic braids under FDA oversight.
Policy Domains
all
Likely Beneficiaries
- Women and Girls of Color
- Professional Salon Workers
- Immigrant Communities
- LGBTQIA Community
- Research Institutions
- Community-Based Organizations
- Minority-Owned Cosmetic Companies
Likely Burden Bearers
- Cosmetic Manufacturers
- Cosmetic Importers
- Cosmetic Distributors
- Salon and Spa Operators
- Federal Agencies (HHS, FDA, OSHA)
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of Health and Human Services
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of Health and Human Services
- "commissioner"
- → Commissioner of Food and Drugs
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of Health and Human Services
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of Health and Human Services
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of Labor
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of Health and Human Services
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of Health and Human Services
Key Definitions
Terms defined in this bill
A licensed or nonlicensed cosmetologist, nail technician, barber, or esthetician who applies or administers a cosmetic within the scope of their business practices
An intentionally added chemical in a cosmetic that has a technical or functional effect, including breakdown products, fragrances, flavors, preservatives, and colorants
The entity that produces ingredients or combines ingredients to produce a cosmetic product
As defined in section 609(c) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 364e(c))
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology