[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 21, Volume 7]
[Revised as of April 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 21CFR701.20]

[Page 155]
 
                        TITLE 21--FOOD AND DRUGS
 
CHAPTER I--FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN 
                          SERVICES (CONTINUED)
 
PART 701_COSMETIC LABELING--Table of Contents
 
               Subpart C_Labeling of Specific Ingredients
 
Sec. 701.20  Detergent substances, other than soap, intended for use in 


cleansing the body.

    (a) In its definition of the term cosmetic, the Federal Food, Drug, 
and Cosmetic Act specifically excludes soap. The term soap is nowhere 
defined in the act. In administering the act, the Food and Drug 
Administration interprets the term ``soap'' to apply only to articles 
that meet the following conditions:
    (1) The bulk of the nonvolatile matter in the product consists of an 
alkali salt of fatty acids and the detergent properties of the article 
are due to the alkali-fatty acid compounds; and
    (2) The product is labeled, sold, and represented only as soap.
    (b) Products intended for cleansing the human body and which are not 
``soap'' as set out in paragraph (a) of this section are ``cosmetics,'' 
and accordingly they are subject to the requirements of the act and the 
regulations thereunder. For example, such a product in bar form is 
subject to the requirement, among others, that it shall bear a label 
containing an accurate statement of the weight of the bar in avoirdupois 
pounds and ounces, this statement to be prominently and conspicuously 
displayed so as to be likely to be read under the customary conditions 
of purchase and use.