The US Food and Drug Administration has missed its latest deadline to propose banning formaldehyde and certain formaldehyde-releasing chemicals from hair-straightening products, often used by Black women, reports BritPanorama.
Experts indicated that the proposed rule had an action date set for December 31, 2025. However, the FDA states that the rule is still under development.
“FDA’s proposed rule, ‘Use of Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde-Releasing Chemicals as an Ingredient in Hair Smoothing Products or Hair Straightening Products’ continues to remain a priority for the Agency,” an agency spokesperson said in an email. “FDA may adjust the anticipated publication date of this and other proposed rules when appropriate.”
The agency has committed to providing “periodic updates” on deadlines via the FDA’s Unified Agenda, which typically issues updates semi-annually, in spring and fall.
The FDA initially set the deadline for the proposed rule for October 2023. David Andrews, acting chief science officer at the Environmental Working Group, noted that this timeline was subsequently pushed back multiple times—including to April 2024, November 2024, March 2025, July 2025, and now December 31, 2025.
Andrews remarked, “Formaldehyde is a well-established carcinogen that can also cause respiratory irritation, skin sensitization, and other adverse health effects such as an increased risk of asthma. Every delay directly puts at risk the health of salon workers and consumers, particularly Black women, who are disproportionately exposed to harmful chemicals in personal care products.”
In 2021, salon workers collaborated with the Environmental Working Group and the nonprofit Women’s Voices for the Earth to petition the FDA to prohibit the use of formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals, such as methylene glycol, in hair products.
The FDA, under the Biden administration, had indicated intentions to consider a ban due to concerns about these chemicals’ links to increased cancer risks, particularly affecting Black women. However, action has yet to be implemented during either administration.
In light of ongoing delays, Andrews expressed concern over the FDA’s management of public health, stating, “Every day these products stay on the market further undermines public confidence in the FDA’s ability to safeguard health,” emphasizing the lack of formal consequences for missed deadlines.
A rule in limbo
The absence of formal penalties for missed deadlines means the FDA’s regulatory process must formally follow through by publishing any proposed rules in the Federal Register, where public comments would be invited.
As awareness of chemical hazards increases, scientific communities have voiced concerns about the link between chemical hair straighteners and higher chances of hormone-related cancers, notably among Black women, who generally use such products more frequently.
Dr. Lauren Wise, a professor at Boston University, indicated, “There is no safe level of exposure in consumer products that are heated and inhaled, particularly in occupational settings such as hair salons.”
While the FDA has received mounting pressure from various lawmakers, including US Reps. Shontel Brown, Nydia Velázquez, and Ayanna Pressley, the agency continues to face criticism for its inaction. Brown commented on the situation, stating, “This is really simple to me. Do we care about Black women getting cancer or do we not?”
As delays persist, the urgency surrounding the FDA’s proposed bans continues to grow, highlighting the ongoing public health debate over cosmetic safety in the US.
