SCCS advises on safe levels of contaminant in UV filter DHHB
Ingredient: DHHB

Date of publication: 14/02/2025

On February 14, 2025, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) adopted its scientific advice on the safety of Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate (DHHB) used as a UV-filter in cosmetic products. The deadline for comments is set to April 25, 2025.

What’s new?

The SCCS has evaluated the safety concerns regarding a contaminant called di-n-hexyl phthalate (DnHexP) in DHHB preparations. DnHexP is a compound associated with reproductive health concerns and is already prohibited in cosmetics under the EU Cosmetics Regulation.

The scientific committee has established that:

  • The maximum safe level of DnHexP as a contaminant in DHHB is 0.026% (260 ppm), but only if this impurity is unavoidable
  • This safety limit applies when DHHB is used up to its maximum authorized concentration of 10% in cosmetic products
  • Available information shows that DnHexP levels in DHHB can be lowered to 1 ppm

Based on their findings, the SCCS recommends that 1 ppm should be the target maximum level for DnHexP as an unavoidable trace impurity in DHHB.

What now?

The opinion is open for comments until April 25, 2025.

The SCCS advice indicates that manufacturers should aim to reduce DnHexP levels in DHHB to the lowest technically achievable concentration (1 ppm), as testing has shown this is possible.

The scientific advice will likely inform regulatory decisions by the European Commission regarding specific purity requirements for DHHB when used in cosmetic products.

References:

Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) Scientific Advice on the safety of Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate – DHHB – S83 (CAS/EC No. 302776-68-7/443-860-6)

Linkedin Instagram Facebook

other REGULATORY UPDATES

Italy and France – Environmental Labelling of Cosmetic Products

PACKAGING WASTE MANAGEMENT

Date of application:01/01/2023

Although the European Cosmetics Regulation is applicable to every cosmetic product made available in the European Union market, some national legislations may also apply. Environmental regulations in Italy and France specify mandatory labelling requirements applicable to packaged products marketed in these countries.

Read More »

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 »

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 Final Opinion on the Safety of Triclocarban and Triclosan

Ingredients: TRICLOCARBAN and TRICLOSAN

Date of publication: 25/10/2022

During the plenary meeting on 24-25 October 2022, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) presented its final opinion on the safety of Triclocarban and Triclosan as substances with potential endocrine disrupting properties in cosmetic products.

Read More »

Italy and France – Environmental Labelling of Cosmetic Products

PACKAGING WASTE MANAGEMENT

Date of application:01/01/2023

Although the European Cosmetics Regulation is applicable to every cosmetic product made available in the European Union market, some national legislations may also apply. Environmental regulations in Italy and France specify mandatory labelling requirements applicable to packaged products marketed in these countries.

Read More »