Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
An independent, industry-funded expert panel that reviews and assesses the safety of ingredients used in cosmetics in the United States. CIR has reviewed over 2,000 cosmetic ingredients, and its findings are widely used for safety substantiation under MoCRA.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) was established in 1976 by the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association (now the Personal Care Products Council) with support from the FDA and the Consumer Federation of America. It operates as an independent expert panel that reviews the safety of ingredients used in cosmetics.
The CIR Expert Panel consists of dermatologists, toxicologists, and other scientists who evaluate ingredient safety based on available scientific data. Their conclusions fall into four categories: safe as used, safe with qualifications (specific concentration limits or conditions), insufficient data to determine safety, or unsafe.
CIR publishes its findings as peer-reviewed safety assessments in the International Journal of Toxicology. While CIR assessments are not legally binding, they are widely recognized as authoritative and are frequently cited in safety substantiation documentation required under MoCRA.
As of 2026, CIR has reviewed over 2,800 cosmetic ingredient families. The panel re-reviews ingredients periodically (approximately every 15 years) to ensure assessments reflect current scientific understanding. CIR safety assessments are freely available on the CIR website.
Related Terms
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
The US federal agency within the Department of Health and Human Services responsible for regulating cosmetics, food, drugs, medical devices, and other products. Under MoCRA, the FDA has expanded authority over cosmetics including facility registration, product listing, and mandatory recall power.
ProcessSafety Substantiation
The regulatory requirement that cosmetic manufacturers ensure and maintain adequate evidence demonstrating their products are safe under labeled or customary conditions of use. Under MoCRA, the FDA can request access to safety substantiation records during facility inspections.
RegulationModernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA)
A US federal law (Public Law 117-328, Title XXXV) signed on December 29, 2022, that gives the FDA new authority over cosmetics including mandatory facility registration, product listing, adverse event reporting, safety substantiation, and recall authority.
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