The European Commission is continuing its process of assessing the safety of potential endocrine disruptors used in cosmetic products. On 15 February 2021, it launched a new call for data on 10 substances, including two parabens, five UV filters, BHA and salicylic acid. A first call for data was launched in May 2019 for 14 other substances.
Background reminder
On 7 November 2018, the European Commission adopted the review of Regulation (EC) No.1223/2009 on cosmetic products regarding substances with endocrine-disrupting properties. The document takes stock of how substances considered as potential endocrine disruptors were tackled under the Cosmetics Regulation – namely, banned or restricted on a case-by-case basis following their safety assessment by the SCCS. The review concluded that the Cosmetics Regulation provides the adequate tools to regulate the use of cosmetic substances that present a potential risk for human health.
In the review, the Commission also commits to establishing a priority list of potential endocrine disruptors not already covered by the bans in the Cosmetics Regulation for their subsequent assessment. A priority list of 28 potential EDs in cosmetic products was consolidated in early 2019 based on input provided through a stakeholder consultation.
To prioritise the substances, they were split into the two following groups.
• Group A
14 substances to be treated with higher priority for assessment as they were undergoing substance evaluation (SEV) under REACH for ED concerns or the SEV had already confirmed ED concerns at the time of publication of the priority list.
Group A consists of: Benzophenone-3, Kojic Acid, 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor …
