SCCS publishes Scientific Advice on the hair dye ingredient HC Blue 18 – Submission II
Ingredients: HC BLUE 18

Date of publication: 08/05/2023

On May 8, 2023, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) published the updated scientific advice on the use of HC Blue 18 (B122) in cosmetics.

On May 8, 2023, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) published the updated scientific advice on the use of HC Blue 18 (B122) in cosmetics.

Background

The hair dye ‘HC Blue 18’ with the chemical name ‘3-[(E)-(3-chloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)diazenyl]-2,1-benzisothiazole-5-sulfonamide’ (CAS No. 1166834-57- 6/852356-91-3, EC No. -/-) is used as an ingredient in oxidative and non-oxidative hair dye formulations.

In 2014, the European Commission received a dossier from the industry to support the safe use of ‘HC Blue 18’ in cosmetic products. In its 2015 opinion (SCCS/1560/15), the SCCS concluded that ‘the use of HC Blue 18 (B122) as an ingredient in non-oxidative as well as in oxidative hair dye formulations at a maximum concentration of 0.35% on the head is safe. The purity of HC Blue 18 and impurities in it are not adequately quantified’.

What’s new?

With submission II received by the SCCS in October 2022 and in view of the newly provided information on purity, the SCCS concluded that:

  • The use of HC Blue 18 as an ingredient in non-oxidative as well as in oxidative hair dye formulations up to a maximum on-head concentration of 0.35% is safe
  • HC Blue 18 is a moderate sensitiser
  • Only impurity 3B was detected at 575 nm in the test substance, and the assessment results indicated no genotoxic concern.

References:

Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) – Scientific Advice on HC Blue 18 (Colipa No. B122) Submission II, SCCS/1653/23

other REGULATORY UPDATES

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.

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Any REGULATORY QUESTION?

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.

Read More »

UK Responsible Person Labelling Deadline Extension

RESPONSIBLE PERSON

Date of application: 31/12/2025

The UK Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) have reviewed the requirement to label the product with the UK Responsible Person and have decided to extend this transitional provision for a total period of five years, until 31 December 2025.

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