Scientists and technical experts from across cosmetics and personal care convened at the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) 2026 Science Symposium on Sept. 16-17, 2026. This annual event offers two days of presentations from experts in their fields, coupled with insight from US regulatory bodies like the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Attendees who spoke with Happi over the two days said the Symposium’s tailored environment is what brings them back year after year.

“This event brings scientists, regulators, industry, academia, people who really want to discuss the science and innovation that drive our industry forward,” said Jaap Venema, PhD, executive vice president, science and chief scientist, PCPC.

This year’s Symposium was held in a new venue, the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel in Arlington, VA. Sponsors included Centric Software and New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists (NYSCC) among others. Exhibitors showcased lab, safety and testing technologies and services.

After a welcome from PCPC President and CEO Tom Myers, Venema set the stage for the two days.

“Our work is grounded in sound science, credible information and practical solutions that support consumers, regulators and our member companies,” he told attendees. “Science is not just part of our mission, it is the engine behind it. It gives us the evidence, the clarity, and the confidence to engage on complex issues. And it helps us tell a stronger and more compelling story about the value of the products that people use every day.”

The agenda explored pillars that guide PCPC’s work—defending essential ingredients; advancing the adoption of new approach methodologies (NAMs); supporting MoCRA implementation; modernizing the INCI program; and evaluating environmental risk.

“These priorities and all the work behind them are ambitious, and that’s exactly what makes them so important. They point to areas where science can deliver real value, strengthening confidence, supporting innovation, informing policy and helping our industry meet today’s expectations and prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities,” Venema said.

The Symposium opened with a high-level view of PCPC’s scientific initiatives with representatives from Council’s technical/regulatory committees. Panelists included David Funk (Sun Chemical), Michael Loewenstein (Q Laboratories), Michael Fevola (Vantage), Cathleen Owen (Q Laboratories) and Scott Sadoff (Personal Care & Safety Services, LLC). Brian Slezak, SVP of global regulatory and product safety at Colgate-Palmolive, served as moderator.

According to Fevola, chair of the international nomenclature committee, in 2025 the committee reviewed 1,300 applications, resulting in 1,100 new names and monographs. 

“It is quite an accomplishment to be able to continue to develop the vocabulary of our ingredient label. Innovation starts with putting a name on something,” he said.

Loewenstein, chair of the microbiology committee, called attention to the work of the microbiome task force over the past year. He also addressed the ongoing issue of public scrutiny of preservatives.

“The public doesn’t like preservatives, and they want to take more and more away—whether or not the science supports that doesn’t really matter. It’s a reality that we’re facing,” he said, noting that the committee continues to explore multifunctionals.

Regulator Presence

FDA representatives who spoke at the symposium included Steven Kozlowski, PhD, chief scientist; Prashiela Manga, PhD, acting director, Office of Cosmetics and Colors; CDR Chad Thompson, division director of the Office of Human and Animal Drug Inspectorate (OHADI); and Elizabeth Petro, PhD, branch chief, cosmetics regulatory activities branch.

Douglas Troutman, assistant administrator, chemical safety and pollution prevention at EPA, also addressed attendees.

During his presentation, Troutman said new approach methodologies (NAMs) were “not only an ethical consideration” but a “scientific imperative.”

Agenda Topics

NAMs were discussed throughout the Symposium, as well as artificial intelligence (AI) and GMPs.

Regarding the latter, Owen, as chair of PCPC’s quality assurance committee, offered sound advice about the delayed release of GMP rules outlined in MoCRA:  “don’t wait” for the rules to build a compliance plan.

Sunscreens were also on the docket over the two days with speakers addressing different aspects.  

Maggie Fleming, senior environmental scientist at PCPC, discussed the tiered approach to environmental risk assessment used by PCPC’s environmental safety committee, presenting insights about UV filter marine hazard assessment. Another presentation explored preservation of sunscreen formulations.

In addition, Carl D’Ruiz of dsm-firmenich provided insight about BEMT (bemotrizinol). He discussed the benefits of having BEMT in the US formulator’s tool kit, and how the approval provided a proof of concept for US sunscreen modernization, establishing a regulatory precedent and validating OMOR as a pathway for OTC sunscreen innovation. Furthermore, BEMT enables modern evidence frameworks using NAMs and RWEs (real world evidence), he asserted.

“The legacy won’t be the filter itself, but the framework it has created for the future,” said D’Ruiz.

Additional presentations included an “I Spy”-style presentation with contamination case studies presented by Ecolab team members, and real-world lessons on managing an FDA inspection from Alonza Cruse, a former director of OHADI at FDA.

Cruse’s advice: stress test your system before the FDA does.

Awards and Honors

At the conclusion of Day 1, PCPC presented its Early Career Microbiologist Award to Dan Cimilluca of Colgate-Palmolive.

PCPC staff also used the forum to recognize Joanne Nikitakis, senior director, cosmetic chemistry. Nikitakis will retire this year after a long career with the council.