Cosmetic safety: Vaginal or vulvar products.

Senator Weber Pierson's legislation creates targeted exemptions from California's cosmetic ingredient restrictions for vaginal and vulvar products that meet specific safety requirements. The bill modifies Section 108980 of the Health and Safety Code, which currently prohibits the manufacture and sale of cosmetics containing certain chemical compounds.

Under the proposed changes, vaginal and vulvar products containing otherwise restricted ingredients would be permitted if they meet any of four conditions: undergoing FDA clinical trials, having a pending new drug application, becoming FDA-regulated as a drug, or passing definitive third-party placebo-controlled double-blind safety trials. The exemption would not apply if safety trials demonstrate the product is unsafe.

The bill's findings note that boric acid, one of the currently restricted substances, has an established history of use in addressing vaginal health concerns. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention include boric acid suppositories in their treatment guidelines. Prior to 2014, these products were primarily available through compounding pharmacies at higher costs before becoming more widely accessible through retail outlets.

The legislation includes an urgency clause for immediate implementation upon passage, citing the need to ensure timely access to necessary medical and hygiene products. This requires a two-thirds vote for approval rather than the simple majority needed for standard bills.