PCPC 2010 Annual Meeting Highlights

Personal Care Products Council’s (PCPC) recent Annual Meeting reviewed the organization’s legislative and regulatory efforts in 2009, key advances in consumer safety, and the progress of its signature philanthropic program, ‘Look Good ...Feel Better,’ aimed at helping women deal with the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment. The meeting also discussed its goals 2010 goals and initiatives. Noting the dramatic change in the political environment, Council president and CEO Lezlee Westine said that the council has stepped up industry visibility on Capitol Hill and in state capitols with manufacturing facility visits, educational Congressional events and legislative meetings. “On the regulatory front, we are working closely with new FDA leadership, and our lobbying for increased federal funding has strengthened FDA’s Office of Cosmetics and Colors,” Westine added.

The meeting’s general session included a presentation by PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Susan McPartlin and John Stell on their study on the economic impact and social contributions of personal care products companies. According to the study, which is based on federal government statistics, the personal care products industry is directly responsible for creating nearly 2.8 million American jobs, and contributing $189 billion to America’s GDP. The study also demonstrated that personal care product manufacturers, overall, are less energy-intensive compared to other manufacturers and that the industry exhibits strong employment diversity, generates trade surplus and charitable contributions, increases R&D spending and fosters small businesses. In addition, John Zogby spoke on how the changing values and priorities of American consumers are effecting their purchasing decisions and what that means for the cosmetics and personal care products industry.

This was followed by the re-election of Dan Brestle as chairman, and election of the following officers: William Gentner (KAO Brands), Iain Holding (Beiersdorf) Heidi Manheimer, (Shiseido Cosmetics) and Ed Shirley, (P&G) – vice chairs; Linda Marshall (Elysee Scientific Cosmetics) – secretary; and Scott Beattie (Elizabeth Arden) – treasurer.

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