MoCRA 2022
Definition
Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act 2022 (US), signed into law December 2022. Requires cosmetic-facility registration with FDA, product listing, safety substantiation, adverse-event reporting, and FDA recall authority for the first time in US cosmetics regulation. Mandates labelling of FRPs and fragrance allergens; triggers FDA risk assessment of formaldehyde-releasing ingredients.
- Full name
- Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act 2022
- Jurisdiction
- United States
- Signed
- December 2022
- New FDA powers
- Facility registration, product listing, mandatory recall authority
- Labelling impact
- FRPs and fragrance allergens
Common questions
What changed for cosmetics oversight in the US after MoCRA?+
Before MoCRA, FDA had no authority to mandate a product recall for cosmetics; the Act gave it that power for the first time along with requiring facilities to register and companies to substantiate product safety.
How does MoCRA affect forensic or regulatory chemistry casework?+
It creates a formal adverse-event reporting channel and prompted FDA risk assessment of formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, giving analysts a clearer regulatory basis for flagging non-compliant ingredient levels.
Related terms
- Ammoniated Mercury
- A mercury-ammonia complex (mercuric chloride-ammonia, HgNH2Cl) historically used as a skin-lightening active ingredient. Inhibits melanogenesis by binding to tyrosinase's active-site cysteine. Causes...
- EU Regulation 1223/2009
- The EU Cosmetics Regulation: the primary legal framework governing cosmetics marketed in the EU. Annex II (prohibited substances) lists lead (Entry 209),...
- Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservative (FRP)
- A preservative that slowly releases formaldehyde as its antimicrobial active ingredient. The five principal FRPs in cosmetics are quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl...
- Galena (PbS)
- Lead(II) sulfide: the principal ore of lead, a grey-black metallic mineral used as the traditional pigment in kohl eye cosmetics for thousands...
- Kohl (Kajal, Surma, Al-Kohl)
- A dark powder applied to the eyes as a cosmetic in South Asian and Middle Eastern cultural traditions. Traditional mineral kohl is...
- Nash Reagent Method
- The EU reference colorimetric method for free formaldehyde in cosmetics: formaldehyde reacts with ammonium acetate and acetylacetone to produce the yellow 3,5-diacetyl-1,4-dihydrolutidine...
- RAPEX / Safety Gate
- The EU rapid alert system for dangerous non-food consumer products, including cosmetics. Analogous to RASFF for food. Member states notify dangerous products;...
- Rhodamine B
- A xanthene dye (C28H31ClN2O3, MW 479.0) with brilliant pink fluorescence, listed on the EU REACH SVHC candidate list as a suspected carcinogen...
- Tyrosinase Inhibition
- The mechanism by which mercury compounds and some other skin-lightening agents achieve depigmentation: mercury binds to the sulphydryl (cysteine) group at the...