Jane Wishneff, BAHP, Executive Director02.04.21
As the new year begins, the Center for Baby and Adult Hygiene Products (BAHP) is reflecting on its significant and impactful accomplishments in 2020 and using them as a foundation in which to build upon as the organization prepares to elevate its brand, grow its membership and address key challenges in 2021.
Thriving Membership
2020 was an exceptional year of growth for BAHP, as the association increased its membership of babycare, femcare, incontinence product manufacturers, material suppliers and service providers by an extraordinary 267% in the last 14 months. A thriving and engaged community allows our industry to expand its dialogue with stakeholders and solidifies BAHP’s position as the voice of the personal absorbent hygiene industry in North America, where we serve as the industry’s first line of defense. BAHP will continue to grow membership and elevate the voice of the industry throughout the year.
If you are interested in learning about our membership benefits or partnering with BAHP, contact us at info@bahp.com.
Legislative Victories
In 2020, BAHP enjoyed unprecedented success with key legislative victories. Here is just a brief snapshot of our efforts:
In a legislative environment frequently known for gridlock, BAHP made progress navigating our industry to many victories.
The BAHP team and leadership is working to ensure this momentum continues throughout 2021 and 2022, as the organization grapples with new challenges affecting the very trajectory of the personal absorbent hygiene products industry.
Product Ingredient Transparency
With California and New York now requiring period product manufacturers to list ingredients on package labels, BAHP is developing tools to educate consumers on the ingredients they will now see listed and assist manufacturers in complying with those laws.
While many manufacturers are already providing general ingredient information on their branded websites, these two laws will mandate industry to provide information in a more uniform and consistent approach on product labels. Specifically, BAHP is creating an Ingredient Glossary that will be published on its consumer-facing website, www.femcareanswers.com.
The Ingredient Glossary will:
While industry is focusing on implementation of these two state disclosure laws, BAHP expects to see additional jurisdictions introduce similar legislation throughout 2021. We will continue to engage at the state level to encourage that future laws be consistent with the existing California law. However, to avoid a patchwork of state laws, the association is also working towards a uniform program at the federal level under Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority.
Beyond Disclosure
BAHP anticipates continued efforts in 2021 to address product and ingredient safety, as well as proposals addressing the disposal of personal absorbent hygiene products. New York has already introduced legislation banning specific ingredients to be used in menstrual products, among others, and is providing for the establishment of government-funded committees to conduct research on similar materials. Legislators in New Jersey are also showing interest in additional product transparency and education for consumers.
Monthly Educational Webinars
New this year, BAHP is hosting a monthly webinar series, highlighting policy, marketing and other related business trends in the personal absorbent hygiene industry. BAHP’s complimentary webinar series is open to both members and nonmembers. For more information regarding participation and/or sponsorship in BAHP’s webinar series, please contact Tatiana Letcheva at info@bahp.com.
Thriving Membership
2020 was an exceptional year of growth for BAHP, as the association increased its membership of babycare, femcare, incontinence product manufacturers, material suppliers and service providers by an extraordinary 267% in the last 14 months. A thriving and engaged community allows our industry to expand its dialogue with stakeholders and solidifies BAHP’s position as the voice of the personal absorbent hygiene industry in North America, where we serve as the industry’s first line of defense. BAHP will continue to grow membership and elevate the voice of the industry throughout the year.
If you are interested in learning about our membership benefits or partnering with BAHP, contact us at info@bahp.com.
Legislative Victories
In 2020, BAHP enjoyed unprecedented success with key legislative victories. Here is just a brief snapshot of our efforts:
- BAHP helped to spearhead an industry and NGO-supported law in California on ingredient disclosure.
- BAHP worked to exempt diapers and feminine hygiene products from a left-leaning comprehensive plastic waste legislation.
- BAHP achieved success in allowing femcare products to be purchased with tax-preferred health savings accounts.
In a legislative environment frequently known for gridlock, BAHP made progress navigating our industry to many victories.
The BAHP team and leadership is working to ensure this momentum continues throughout 2021 and 2022, as the organization grapples with new challenges affecting the very trajectory of the personal absorbent hygiene products industry.
Product Ingredient Transparency
With California and New York now requiring period product manufacturers to list ingredients on package labels, BAHP is developing tools to educate consumers on the ingredients they will now see listed and assist manufacturers in complying with those laws.
While many manufacturers are already providing general ingredient information on their branded websites, these two laws will mandate industry to provide information in a more uniform and consistent approach on product labels. Specifically, BAHP is creating an Ingredient Glossary that will be published on its consumer-facing website, www.femcareanswers.com.
The Ingredient Glossary will:
- List ingredients used in menstrual products,
- Provide a brief explanation of its purpose and function, and
- Supply key information to consumers regarding these products.
- The International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI)
- The Household Commercial Products Association’s Consumer Product Ingredient Dictionary (HCPA Dictionary), or
- A common chemical name.
While industry is focusing on implementation of these two state disclosure laws, BAHP expects to see additional jurisdictions introduce similar legislation throughout 2021. We will continue to engage at the state level to encourage that future laws be consistent with the existing California law. However, to avoid a patchwork of state laws, the association is also working towards a uniform program at the federal level under Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority.
Beyond Disclosure
BAHP anticipates continued efforts in 2021 to address product and ingredient safety, as well as proposals addressing the disposal of personal absorbent hygiene products. New York has already introduced legislation banning specific ingredients to be used in menstrual products, among others, and is providing for the establishment of government-funded committees to conduct research on similar materials. Legislators in New Jersey are also showing interest in additional product transparency and education for consumers.
Monthly Educational Webinars
New this year, BAHP is hosting a monthly webinar series, highlighting policy, marketing and other related business trends in the personal absorbent hygiene industry. BAHP’s complimentary webinar series is open to both members and nonmembers. For more information regarding participation and/or sponsorship in BAHP’s webinar series, please contact Tatiana Letcheva at info@bahp.com.