On 12 April 2023, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) announced that it was recommending to the European Commission to add eight substances to Annex XIV of REACH Regulation 1907/2006, which lists substances subject to authorisation. Among them, a preservative that can be used in cosmetics, Glutaral.
It is to protect workers and the environment that ECHA is issuing this recommendation, the Agency said in its press release.
Once a substance is listed in Annex XIV of the REACH Regulation, companies must apply for authorisation for a specific use if they want to continue to be able to use it. This process is intended to encourage the substitution of SVHCs (substances of very high concern) when economically and technologically viable alternatives are available.
Eight substances are therefore concerned by this recomendation of 12 April 2023. Among them, several are already listed in Annex II of the European Regulation 1223/2009 (and are therefore banned in cosmetics) such as lead or the fragrance ingredient Butylphenyl Methylpropional, but one is listed in Annex V (authorised preservatives). This is Glutaral (CAS 111-30-8; EC 203-856-5), which is targeted for its respiratory tract sensitising properties, and whose maximum concentration in finished cosmetic products is currently limited to 0.1%, except in aerosols (sprays) where it is prohibited.
Ethylenediamine (CAS 107-15-3; EC 203-468-6), which is currently not regulated by the Cosmetics Regulation, is also included in this recommendation.
It is now up to the European Commission to decide which substances will actually be added …
