SCCS publishes Final Opinion on children’s exposure to Methyl Salicylate

Ingredients: METHYL SALICYLATE

Date of publication: 14/09/2023

On 14 September, 2023, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) published its Final Opinion on the safety of Methyl Salicylate as used in cosmetic products intended to children.

BACKGROUND

Methyl Salicylate (CAS No. 119-36-8) is the ester of methyl alcohol and salicylic acid, used in cosmetics and personal care products as a denaturant, flavouring, oral care, perfuming and soothing agent.

Methyl Salicylate has been classified as toxic for reproduction (CMR substance, category 2) under Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 (CLP), but it was not included in the Annexes to Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009.

WHAT’S NEW?

Following the preliminary opinion on May 16, 2023, the Scientific Committee on Consumer. Safety (SCCS) published its final opinion and scientific advice on children exposure on Methyl Salicylate.

In light of the data provided and taking under consideration the conclusions of SCCS/1633/21 and the aggregate exposure, the SCCS considers the use of Methyl Salicylate as safe in:

Toothpaste up to a maximum concentration of 2.52%.
Cosmetic products intended for children of age 0.5-3 years when used up to a maximum concentration of 0.02% in shower gel, hand soap, shampoo, body lotion, face cream, hand cream, lip products and hair conditioner.
Cosmetic products intended for children of age 3-6 years in shower gel, hand soap, shampoo, body lotion, face cream, hand cream, lip products, and hair conditioner up to the allowed maximum concentrations indicated in the following table:

As no specific data were provided for children below 6 months, the SCCS has not considered this age category in this safety assessment.

References:

Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) – Scientific Advice – Children exposure on Methyl salicylate (methyl 2-hydroxybenzoate), SCCS/1654/23, Final Version.

other REGULATORY UPDATES

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.