On April 1st, the European Commission has launched a public consultation on its proposal to make regulations evolve as regards two cosmetic ingredients (Peanut oil, and Hydrolyzed wheat proteins), with new restrictions to their use. This consultation will remain open until July 1st, 2016.
This consultation concern 'any interested parties, including authorities of the Member States, manufacturers of cosmetic products, producers of the substances concerned and relevant industry and consumers associations.'
Background
Peanut oil
Peanut oil with the INCI name Arachis Hypogaea Oil (CAS number: 8002-03-7), as well as its other extracts and derivatives, is currently not regulated in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products.
On 27 March 2014, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) adopted an opinion on the sensitisation potential of peanut oil (revised on 23 September 2014 ).
The SCCS opinion reported that 'Peanut proteins are known to cause severe potentially life-threatening type-I allergic reactions. However, refined peanut oils contain very low levels of the peanut proteins which are the moiety that has the allergenic potential. Moreover, data to derive a safe level of exposure to food in sensitised individuals exist, however to derive a safe level of exposure of the skin (especially regarding induction) is problematic. There is mounting evidence of access of proteins to the immune system via the (even intact) skin.'
The SCCS then concluded as follows:
'There is no known safe threshold currently defined at which the skin of peanut allergic subjects can safely be …
