UK SAG-CS publishes final opinion on Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)

Ingredients: BHT

The UK's Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety in Consumer Products (SAG-CS) published its final opinion on BHT as used in cosmetic products.

The Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety in Consumer Products (SAG-CS) is acknowledged as the UK’s counterpart of EU’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS). GAC-CS assesses the chemical and biological risks of non-food and non-medicinal consumer products, including cosmetic products and their ingredients, and offers scientific opinions to the UK’s Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS).

The UK’s SAG-CS has recently published its final opinion on the use of Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) in cosmetic products.

BACKGROUND

Butylated Hydroxytoluene or BHT (CAS No. 128-37-0) is a synthetic antioxidant which may be added to cosmetic products to improve their stability and prevent oxidation. Typical use concentrations of BHT across a wide spectrum of cosmetic product types, dermally applied, and spray products are 0.0002 – 0.8%. Oral products typically use a lower concentration of a maximal 0.1% in toothpaste and 0.001% in mouthwashes.

BHT is not currently regulated under the UK Cosmetic Products Regulation.

WHAT’S NEW?

SAG-CS members agreed that there would be no appreciable increase in health risk following
the addition of BHT at the following maximum concentrations:

Hydroalcoholic-based fragrances (spray and non-spray): 0.8%
Rinse-off skin and hair cleansing products; shower gel, hair conditioner, shampoo, hand wash soap: 0.8%
Leave-on skin and hair products; body lotion (spray and non-spray), face cream, hand cream, deodorant (spray and non-spray), hair styling products (spray and non-spray): 0.8%
Face make-up products; liquid foundation, lipstick / lip salve, make-up remover, eye-make up, mascara, eyeliner: 0.8%
Oral care products 1) toothpaste: 0.1% 2) mouthwash: 0.001% 3) topical leave-on oral care product: 0.001%

Based on the limited available data, SAG-CS members did not consider BHT to show evidence for endocrine activity, considering that BHT use in consumer products may need to be further reviewed with respect to aggregated exposure from other sources, including foods.

References:

Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety in Consumer Products (SAG-CS) – Final Opinion on Butylated Hydroxytoluene in Cosmetic Products, 2023

other REGULATORY UPDATES

Regulation (EU) 2022/2195 – Updates to cosmetic ingredients use requirements

Ingredients: BHT, ACID YELLOW 3, HOMOSALATE, HAA299 and RESORCINOL

Date of publication: 11/11/2022

Date of application: 01/07/2023

Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/2195 of November 2022 amends Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, restricting the use of BHT, Acid Yellow 3, Homosalate, HAA299 and Resorcinol, in cosmetic products.

SCCS consultation on opinion about Salicylic Acid

Ingredients: SALICYLIC ACID

Date of publication: 15/12/2022

On December 15, 2022, the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) released the preliminary opinion on Salicylic Acid (CAS No. 69-72-7). This opinion is open for comments until February 17, 2023.

Regulation (EU) 2022/1531 – OMNIBUS ACT V – applicable as of 17 December 2022

Ingredients: METHYL SALICYLATE, SODIUM HYDROXYMETHYLGLYCINATE, DBMC, MIBK

Date of publication: 15/09/2022

Date of application: 17/12/2022

The European Commission has published the Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/1531, which amends the Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 as regards the use in cosmetic products of certain substances classified as CMR, by adding new entries to Annex II and Annex III and revising an entry in Annex V.

Update on the classification and labelling of Titanium Dioxide in powder form

Ingredients: TITANIUM DIOXIDE

Date of publication: 23/11/2022

The EU General Court annuls the Commission Delegated Regulation of 2019 in so far as it concerns the harmonised classification and labelling of Titanium Dioxide as a carcinogenic substance by inhalation in certain powder forms.

SCCS Revision of the Scientific Opinion on Vitamin A

Ingredients: RETINOL, RETINYL PALMITATE, RETINYL ACETATE, RETINYL LINOLEATE, RETINAL

Date of publication: 25/10/2022

The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety has issued a final version of the Scientific Opinion on Vitamin A, concluding that exposure to Vitamin A derived from cosmetics can be a concern for higher exposure consumers, and since cosmetics alone do not exceed the upper limit the SCCS cannot suggest maximum concentration limits that take into account contributions from other sources.

UK Responsible Person Labelling Deadline Extension

RESPONSIBLE PERSON

Date of application: 31/12/2025

The UK Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) have reviewed the requirement to label the product with the UK Responsible Person and have decided to extend this transitional provision for a total period of five years, until 31 December 2025.