SCCS publishes Scientific Advice on the hair dye ingredient HC Blue 18 – Submission II
Ingredients: HC BLUE 18

Date of publication: 08/05/2023

On May 8, 2023, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) published the updated scientific advice on the use of HC Blue 18 (B122) in cosmetics.

On May 8, 2023, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) published the updated scientific advice on the use of HC Blue 18 (B122) in cosmetics.

Background

The hair dye ‘HC Blue 18’ with the chemical name ‘3-[(E)-(3-chloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)diazenyl]-2,1-benzisothiazole-5-sulfonamide’ (CAS No. 1166834-57- 6/852356-91-3, EC No. -/-) is used as an ingredient in oxidative and non-oxidative hair dye formulations.

In 2014, the European Commission received a dossier from the industry to support the safe use of ‘HC Blue 18’ in cosmetic products. In its 2015 opinion (SCCS/1560/15), the SCCS concluded that ‘the use of HC Blue 18 (B122) as an ingredient in non-oxidative as well as in oxidative hair dye formulations at a maximum concentration of 0.35% on the head is safe. The purity of HC Blue 18 and impurities in it are not adequately quantified’.

What’s new?

With submission II received by the SCCS in October 2022 and in view of the newly provided information on purity, the SCCS concluded that:

  • The use of HC Blue 18 as an ingredient in non-oxidative as well as in oxidative hair dye formulations up to a maximum on-head concentration of 0.35% is safe
  • HC Blue 18 is a moderate sensitiser
  • Only impurity 3B was detected at 575 nm in the test substance, and the assessment results indicated no genotoxic concern.

References:

Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) – Scientific Advice on HC Blue 18 (Colipa No. B122) Submission II, SCCS/1653/23

Linkedin Instagram Facebook

other REGULATORY UPDATES

French Anti-Waste Law – Impact in Cosmetics Packaging and Labelling

PACKAGING WASTE MANAGEMENT

Date of application: 01/01/2023, with a transition period until 09/03/2023 for packaging produced or imported before 09/09/2022.

The Loi relative à la lute contre le gaspillage et a l’économie circulaire (Anti-Waste for a circular economy) has come officially into force in France in 2020. From January 2023 the requirements of the law became mandatory, including specific symbols on the packaging or labelling of cosmetic products.

Read More »
Any REGULATORY QUESTION?
E-mail

SCCS Preliminary Opinion on Sodium Bromothymol Blue (C186) as hair dyeing

Ingredients: SODIUM BROMOTHYMOL BLUE (C186)

Date of publication: 28/10/2022

Following the request from the EU Commission for a scientific opinion on the hair dye Sodium Bromothymol Blue (C186), on October 2022 the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) issued a preliminary opinion. In light of the data provided, when used in non-oxidative hair colouring products up to a maximum on-head concentration of 0.5%, the SCCS is of the opinion that the complete safety of Sodium Bromothymol Blue could not be assessed.

Read More »