PCPC’s Science Symposium Agenda Puts Industry’s Critical Issues Front and Center

“While the pace of regulatory change can be slow, innovation moves incredibly fast, as consumers seek essential hygiene and cosmetics products that they use each day,” Dr. Jaap Venema, executive vice president, science and chief scientist at the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), told Happi in a recent interview.

PCPC is putting the finishing touches on its annual Scientific Symposium and Expo. Slated for Sept. 16 & 17 in Arlington, VA, PCPC’s two-day event delivers a unique opportunity  to take stock, hear others’ perspectives—including from experts at FDA and EPA—and hone industry relationships.

The benefits of gathering scientific and regulatory experts in one space extends well beyond the walls of the venue.

“We’re operating in an era where information is moving fast and competing with misinformation or oversimplified scientific narratives shared online. One of the industry’s responsibilities is to ensure discussions about safety and product performance are grounded in credible, evidence-based science and the Science Symposium is the perfect forum for these conversations,” Dr. Venema said.

Venema joined PCPC in November 2025 from US. Pharmacopeia (USP), where he served as chief science officer. With more than 35 years of experience across academia, pharma and nonprofit leadership, Venema said he is inspired by the “collaborative spirit and unwavering commitment to science and innovation” in the personal care industry.

“Those strengths are enabling the cosmetics and personal care products industry to pioneer the next generation of safety science. Our industry’s leadership in advancing New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) is remarkable. While the pace of regulatory change can be slow, innovation moves incredibly fast, as consumers seek essential hygiene and cosmetics products that they use each day.”

Happi asked Dr. Venema about the industry’s challenges and what’s on the schedule at PCPC’s Science Symposium that make attending this two-day event beneficial for organizations and individuals.

Happi: From your perspective, what are the biggest challenges facing this industry looking through the lens of science, safety and regulation? How do you see PCPC taking leadership in these areas?

Venema: From my purview, one of the most important opportunities for our industry is helping shape a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape while continuing to advance the science and innovation that underpin product safety. This is where PCPC’s leadership is particularly important. We convene experts from across the scientific community to drive scientific progress, support innovation, develop consensus approaches to safety assessment, and engage with policymakers and regulators on issues affecting the industry. Our scientific committees, research initiatives, educational programs, and engagement with stakeholders help ensure decisions are informed by the best available science.

Happi: Is that leadership more important today?

Venema: Yes. That leadership is arguably more important today than ever before. We’re operating in an era where information is moving fast and competing with misinformation or oversimplified scientific narratives shared online. One of the industry’s responsibilities is to ensure discussions about safety and product performance are grounded in credible, evidence-based science, and the Science Symposium is the perfect forum for these conversations.

Happi: The agenda gets right into the engine of the industry—formulation, testing and safety of products. There are discussions planned on BEMT, NAMs, regulations like MoCRA, microbiology and more. Can you speak about why this annual symposium is critical for PCPC and stakeholders from the brand-level to suppliers and testing labs?

Venema: This year’s symposium highlights the extraordinary breadth of science that supports the cosmetics and personal care products industry. From regulatory modernization under MoCRA and evolving sunscreen formulations to advances in non-animal safety assessment, environmental stewardship, microbiology, and AI governance, the symposium reflects both the complexity of the industry’s challenges and the strength of the scientific community working to address them. Beyond the educational sessions, the Expo provides a valuable opportunity to connect directly with companies offering cutting-edge tools, technologies, and services that are helping advance product development, safety assessment, testing, regulatory compliance, and innovation across the industry. It also brings together leading scientific experts who can serve as partners and consultants in addressing complex technical challenges.

HAPPI: The Symposium has a strong lineup of keynote speakers. What are your expectations about the insight that will be gleaned from the FDA and EPA officials?

Venema: It’s not every day you have this level of access to senior FDA and EPA leadership in one place. At a time when the industry is implementing MoCRA, promoting NAMs, and navigating an evolving regulatory landscape, hearing from the officials helping shape those policies is invaluable. Attendees will gain insight into how EPA is modernizing chemical reviews through NAMs, reducing reliance on animal testing, and advancing safer-by-design chemistry. They’ll also hear firsthand from FDA leaders about cosmetics regulation, compliance priorities and the ongoing implementation of MoCRA. Taken together, these sessions offer a unique opportunity to better understand how science and regulation are evolving and what that means for the future of product safety and innovation.

HAPPI: The keynote on Sept. 17 is a hot topic—Human in the Loop: Practical Oversight of AI-Generated Content.  We are hearing so much more about AI everywhere. Why should this topic be on every cosmetic company’s radar, and how will this session inform attendees?

Venema:  Today, the question isn’t whether organizations will use AI-generated content, but how they can do so responsibly in highly regulated environments. AI is rapidly becoming part of how companies develop, test, document, and market products, which makes it a highly relevant topic for the cosmetics and personal care industry. Whether it’s drafting SOPs and training materials, assisting with regulatory documentation, analyzing scientific data, or supporting quality processes, AI has the potential to improve efficiency across organizations. At the same time, our industry is built on science, safety, and consumer trust. Companies are operating in an increasingly regulated environment as they adapt to new requirements under MoCRA and maintain robust quality systems. In that context, AI may be able to generate content, but it can’t assume responsibility for it. Human expertise, scientific judgment, and accountability remain essential when product quality, safety, and compliance are on the line. What makes this session particularly valuable is its practical focus. Rather than discussing AI in theory, it will explore how companies can incorporate AI-generated content into existing quality and review processes while maintaining appropriate oversight and controls.

Happi: Are there additional presentations that you want to call attention to?

Venema: Several sessions stand out because they highlight issues shaping the future of the industry.

“The Future of Suncare in the U.S.” and “Evolving Sunscreen Formulations: Modern Preservation Challenges and Opportunities” come at a pivotal moment for sunscreen innovation. Together, they explore how new technologies, changing regulations, and ingredients like BEMT are influencing the next generation of sun protection products.

Of course, the FDA Keynote Session and Compliance Update are must-attend sessions for anyone looking to better understand FDA priorities and the ongoing implementation of MoCRA, the most significant modernization of cosmetics regulation in decades.

The “Advancing Cosmetic Safety with NAMs: Science, Confidence, and Regulatory Readiness” session will examine how NAMs are advancing non-animal safety assessment and helping shape the future of regulatory decision-making. These sessions are just a glimpse into a few of the priorities defining the industry right now and will be built on in additional sessions and candid conversations throughout the two-day event.

HAPPI: As a scientist, can you share why it is important for those in formulation science, safety, and testing to gather with colleagues at in-person events?

Venema: Anyone who has attended a virtual meeting knows there’s a difference between receiving information and exchanging ideas in a room abuzz with energy. In a Teams/Zoom webinar, you get the presentation. At an in-person event, you get the conversation around it. Technological advancements have helped with scale and reach, but there’s still no substitute for in-person

interaction. Events like Science Symposium create opportunities for the discussions that matter most. You can hear how people react to new research, engage in deeper discussions, compare experiences, and build relationships that lead to future collaboration. For an industry navigating major developments in regulation, safety science, and innovation, those conversations are often where the next breakthrough begins.

The Expo is another important part of that experience, giving attendees direct access to solution providers, technology developers, testing partners, and scientific consultants who can help translate new ideas into practical solutions for their organizations. It creates a unique environment where scientific discussions can quickly turn into collaborations and real-world applications.

Registration for the Symposium is open now.