Weave submits comments to FDA on updated safety guidance for period product manufacturers 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently asked for public comments on newly updated safety guidance for menstrual product manufacturers. 

This written guidance is generally intended to help menstrual product manufacturers ensure that their products are safe to use.   

While we appreciate that the draft guidance references our What’s in Your Period Product? study and prior recommendations, the proposal overall falls short.  

Having thought a LOT about the safety of period products over the years, we had a number of suggestions for FDA on how their new guidance for manufacturers could be strengthened to ensure safer period products for users. We believe the FDA must:   

• Strengthen recommendations on testing for and reporting toxic chemicals and contaminants in menstrual products, explicitly including endocrine-disrupting chemicals and reproductive toxicants. 
• Create clear, product-specific guidance for tampons, pads, menstrual cups, and period underwear. 
• Require clear and specific ingredient disclosure so consumers can make informed choices about the products they use. 
• Listen to consumer concerns expressed through safety and injury reports to prevent adverse effects caused by menstrual products. 

Even if the FDA adopts all of our suggestions, guidance alone isn’t a perfect solution, as the recommendations are just that – recommendations, and not bound by law.  But the guidance is still one of the best tools we have to help manufacturers design their products more carefully, and it helps them better consider the health and safety concerns of users. 

You can read the full comments we submitted here.

P.S. Shoutout to Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) who is our menstrual equity hero – and the major driver in getting Congress to officially request that FDA update their menstrual product guidelines!