European Commission requests SCCS opinion on Benzophenone-1

Ingredients: BENZOPHENONE-1

Date of publication: 17/04/2023

The European Commission has requested the SCCS to assess the safety of Benzophenone-1. The SCCS approved this mandate on 17 April 2023, and the Committee has now nine months to deliver its Opinion.

The European Commission has requested the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) to assess the safety of Benzophenone-1 (CAS No. 131-56-6, EC No. 205-029-4). The SCCS approved this mandate by written procedure on 17 April 2023, and the Committee has now nine months to deliver its Opinion.

Background

On 7 November 2018, the European Commission adopted the review of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products regarding substances with endocrine-disrupting (ED) properties.

In this review, the European Commission commited to establishing a priority list of potential EDs not already covered by bans or restrictions in the Cosmetics Regulation for their subsequent safety assessment. A priority list of 28 potential EDs in cosmetics was consolidated in early 2019 based on input provided through stakeholder consultation. The Commission carried out a public call for data in 2019 for 14 substances (Group A) and a second call in 2021 for 10 substances (Group B) in preparation for the safety assessment of these substances.

Benzophenone-1 is one of the above-mentioned substances for which the call for data took place.

Benzophenone-1 is used in cosmetics and personal care products as light stabilizer and UV-absorber. Benzophenone-1 is used in various rinse-off and leave-on cosmetic products since it
is able to absorb and disperse ultraviolet (UV) radiation, protecting, therefore, the respective
product formulation from the damaging effects of UV radiation. Currently, Benzophenone-1 is
not regulated under the Cosmetic Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009.

Questions to be addressed by the SCCS

(1) In light of the data provided and taking under consideration the concerns related to
potential endocrine disrupting properties of Benzophenone-1, does the SCCS consider
Benzophenone-1 safe when used as a light stabilizer in cosmetic products up to a
maximum concentration of 2%?
(2) Alternatively, what is according to the SCCS the maximum concentration considered safe
for use of Benzophenone-1 in cosmetic products?
(3) Does the SCCS have any further scientific concerns with regard to the use of Benzophenone-1 in cosmetic products?

References:

Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) – Request for a scientific opinion on Benzophenone-1 (CAS No. 131-56-6, EC No. 205-029-4).

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.