SCCS issues final Scientific Advice on ‘Basic Blue 99’ Hair Dye – Submissions IV & V

Ingredient: BASIC BLUE 99

Date of publication: 2 February 2026

The SCCS has concluded that Basic Blue 99 (C059) is not safe for use in non-oxidative hair dye formulations at 1% due to genotoxicity concerns.

What’s new?

On the 2^nd of February 2026, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) adopted its final scientific advice regarding the safety of the hair dye ingredient Basic Blue 99 (C059) (CAS No. 68123-13-7, EC No. 268-544-3). The preliminary opinion was open for comments until January 19, 2026, and considering the information received during the commenting period, the SCCS released its final opinion with no changes in the final text.

The Committee was requested to evaluate the ingredient’s potential for use at 1% concentration in non-oxidative hair dye formulations, and it was concluded that Basic Blue 99 is not safe when used as an ingredient in non-oxidative hair dye formulations, derived from its potential for genotoxicity. Other than that, the SCCS regarded this ingredient as a skin sensitizer.

What now?

The European Commission will likely amend Annex II of the Cosmetics Regulation to implement this prohibition, with typical transition periods of 18-24 months for compliance.

References:

SCCS (Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety), Scientific Advice on hair dye ‘Basic blue 99’ (C059) (CAS No. 68123-13-7, EC No. 268-544-3) – submission IV & V, preliminary version of 30 October 2025, final version of 2 February 2026, SCCS/1683/25

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