Allergy Alert Test for hair colouring products

Harmonized labelling for Allergy Alert Test in hair dyeing products.

Date of publication: 24/04/2023

Cosmetics Europe published a new recommendation on the Allergy Alert Test (AAT) for hair colouring products, providing harmonized wording and pictograms to be used as risk management measures.

Some hair dyeing products placed on the EU market contain the advice to assess skin
sensitisation by performing a user test before dyeing the hair (“self-tests”). The exact
protocol depends on the manufacturer/Responsible Person.

On 24 April 2023, the EU Personal Care Association – Cosmetics Europe – published a new recommendation on the Allergy Alert Test (AAT) for hair colouring products, providing harmonised wording and pictograms to be used as risk management measures.

In summary, the harmonised procedure involves mixing together small amounts of the colorant and developer, applying to the inner forearm and leaving for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes the mixture is removed. If there is no reaction within 48 hours, the hair colorant may be applied in accordance with the instructions for use provided.

References:

Cosmetics Europe Recommendation N° 27 – Allergy Alert Test for hair colouring products, 2023

other REGULATORY UPDATES

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.

French labelling requirement for leave-on products containing Phenoxyethanol repealed

Ingredients: PHENOXYETHANOL

The EU Court of Justice repealed the French requirement for the labelling of the precautionary measurement “Not to be used on the nappy-skin area of children under 3 years of age” on leave-on cosmetic products containing Phenoxyethanol. Therefore, the labelling restriction related to Phenoxyethanol is officially not mandatory for products imported into France.

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.

Regulation (EU) 2022/692 – OMNIBUS ACT VI – New and Updated Classification of Cosmetic Ingredients

Ingredients: BENZOPHENONE, TEOPHYLLINE, MELAMINE, AZADIRACHTA EXTRACTS, TRIMETHYLOLPROPANE TRIACRYLATE, PENTETIC ACID, PENTASODIUM PENTETATE

Date of publication: 03/05/2022

Date of application: 01/12/2023

The Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/692 includes new or updated classification for 12 chemicals that may be used as cosmetic ingredients. Seven out of these 12 are now classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction (CMR) and are banned from cosmetic products marketed in the EU.

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.

Butylphenyl Methylpropional (Lilial) ban in cosmetics comes into force in Great Britain

Ingredients: BUTYLPHENYL METHYLPROPIONAL

Date of application: 15/12/2022

Due to its classification as toxic to reproduction, Butylphenyl Methylpropional is prohibited in cosmetic products placed in the Great Britain market as of December 15, 2022.