In 2003, the U.S. Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel reviewed the safety data for dimethicone as well as a group of closely related silicon polymers that function primarily as skin and hair conditioning agents in cosmetics and personal care products and concluded that dimethicone is safe as currently used. The CIR Expert Panel, is an independent, non-profit scientific body that was initiated by the Personal Care Products Council (the Council) at the suggestion and with the support of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) to assess the safety of ingredients used in cosmetics in the U.S. The CIR Expert Panel consists of world-renowned scientists and physicians who have been publicly nominated by consumer, scientific and medical groups, government agencies, and industry. The CIR and its review process are independent from the Council and the cosmetics industry. Members of the Expert Panel must meet the same conflict of interest requirements regarding financial interests as special non-government advisory experts to FDA.