another bit on the FDA Globalization Act

Can I just say that I hate these posts. I much prefer posting about fantastic things, happy news or just misc. ramblings. But I am determined to do my part to spread the word about how devastating this Act would be if passed.

Things are going so well here, it's such a high. When I think about the potential of extreme regulation from the government & what it will do to my business I get so bummed, you know, that queezy feeling in my stomach. I wish if I didn't think about it that it would go away... but we all know how that works.

Here's a news story in DC about the FDA Globalization Act and what it would do to one woman/small business owner. http://tinyurl.com/44yr3a

What can you do? sign the petition at the Indie Beauty Network & by contacting your representative.

So I'm off to make soap, hoping that I'll always be able to make soap & that the FDA won't totally screw my happy little business up. grrr....

Rinse as you know it... gone forever!?!?

Not at this very moment... but now that I have your attention, it could happen. That is if the FDA Globalization Act is passed as it is.

The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce released a proposal that will significantly impact businesses that sell cosmetics (including soaps, lotions...) A few of the major provisions:

1) $2000 annual FDA registration fee

2) Fees for reregistration, inspections & reinspections, certification, certifying agent accreditation, laboratory accreditation, export certification, and importer registration.

3) Cumbersome paperwork

4) Substantial fines for those that do not comply

Who wins??? FDA. $600 million is predicted to be generated from the food registration fees alone. Big Box Manufacturers. They have the $$$ & the staff to be able to jump through all of the hoops without even noticing that they're there.

Who loses??? You. Customers who love a choice & prefer knowing what you're using on your body. Me (and the others like me.) Small Indie Businesses are either going to loose a lot of time & $ trying to comply with all of the requirements or loose the battle all together.

What can you do??? Speak up & let the House of Representatives know that you want a choice. Sign a petition that the Indie Business Network has put together. Email your state representative. Spread the word.

My thoughts: I'm not against having to register & jump through some of the hoops, but come on... a blanket fee no matter what your annual sales!?!? That means that Rinse pays the same registration fees as Proctor & Gamble!

We have nothing to hide as far as ingredients or known/potential adverse conditions from those ingredients (hello, you eat pretty much everything we use in our products.) But as any small business owner knows, time is $$$. There seems to be a lot of hoops, a lot of paperwork (for each product, even if the only difference is scent,) and a lot of $$$ involved - across the board.

We are proud to still offer products that are handmade is small batches. We are proud to not be a Big Box Manufacturer. It will suck if we have to pay the same $$$ as the Big Box Guys to be able to do business.

Wish us (and every other small indie Bath & Body company) luck!

Coffee Lovers, Beware

We are conjuring up our latest product. A coffee pucker stick made with Coffee Butter (which smells as if you've stuck your head in a bag of coffee beans.) We plan to launch the new pucker stick at the Chicago Renegade Show.

We do need you help with one thing... naming it. What are your thoughts?