2026 Regulatory Outlook for the Beauty Industry
Join Beauty Industry West for an insightful luncheon featuring two leading voices in cosmetic regulation: Ronie Schmelz and Avril Love, partners at K&L Gates.
Over lunch, they'll walk us through the key regulatory developments shaping 2026 and beyond. Expect a practical, no-nonsense discussion on what brands need to watch and prepare for.
Topics include:
- Latest FDA guidance on cosmetic recalls, PFAS findings, and MoCRA implementation milestones
- FTC enforcement priorities, especially around AI-generated content and consumer reviews
- Emerging state-level chemical bans and extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs
- Growing litigation risks in marketing practices, from greenwashing claims to subscriptions, email campaigns, and SMS programs
This is a great chance to hear straight talk from experts who advise brands daily, ask your questions, and network with other industry leaders.
Save the date.
when
March 17, 2026
time
11:30 pm – 2:00 pm
where
TBD
tickets
on sale soon
About Our Speakers
Ronie Schmelz
Partner, K&L Gates
Ronie spent the first 25 years of her career at an international law firm, defending clients in complex litigation, including consumer class actions and disputes involving reinsurance, general commercial, real estate, and healthcare-related matters. During the second half of her career, she has committed to advising clients on litigation-avoidance strategies so they can confidently focus on building and operating their businesses in ways that reduce the risk of regulatory scrutiny or consumer challenges. These strategies include implementing best practices to comply with regulations and standards enforced by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), other federal and state regulatory agencies, and the National Advertising Division (NAD), as well as ways to reduce exposure to consumer class actions. Ronie advises clients on a wide range of topics, including the implementation of recall procedures and responding to FDA Warning Letters, Notices of Action, and MedWatch Adverse Event Reports, and she defends clients in nationwide consumer class actions.
Ronie has deep industry knowledge and extensive experience advising clients across the consumer products industry, particularly those that manufacture cosmetics, skin and hair care products, dietary supplements, and household goods. Along with her experienced team of K&L Gates attorneys, Ronie counsels companies on compliance with the Federal Packaging and Labeling Act, California Proposition 65, the marketing of CBD and hemp products under the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (the Farm Bill), and other federal and state consumer protection, advertising, and unfair business practices laws. Ronie and her team also draft and negotiate vendor and corporate agreements and manage domestic and international intellectual property rights, helping clients maintain strong business hygiene by ensuring that appropriate contracts and IP protections are in place.
A leader in the cosmetics industry, Ronie serves on the Board of the Independent Beauty Association (IBA) and as legal counsel to the executive board of Beauty Industry West (BIW). She also frequently speaks at industry events, including Cosmoprof North America and Bologna, Natural Products Association (NPA), California, and New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists Suppliers’ Day, and American Conference Institute. She has taught a course on Advertising Law at Loyola Marymount University Law School, UCLA Extension, and the Fashion Institute of Design & Management (FIDM). Ronie also adds value to client relationships by conducting in-house regulatory training sessions.
Avril Love
Partner, K&L Gates
Avril specializes in regulatory compliance and litigation avoidance for the beauty industry. With extensive experience advising clients on navigating complex regulatory landscapes, Avril provides strategic guidance to achieve balanced compliance while fostering innovation and minimizing risk. Her expertise in FDA and FTC regulatory compliance, combined with years of litigation experience, makes her a trusted advisor to companies navigating the evolving regulatory environment.
