A UV filter widely used in sunscreens, Benzophenone-3 is already known as a cause for allergic reactions. It is also suspected to be a systemic toxic product. The French Afssaps has evaluated its potential harmfulness for reproduction and its ability to be an endocrine disruptor. And gives new figures to limit its use.
July 9, 2011
Benzophenone-3
(or Oxybenzone; CAS 131-57-7) is in the list of substances reevaluated after a request by the French Ministry of Health, on January 21, 2009. The main topic of this request was to assess the risk of cosmetics as per their toxicity on reproduction and/or their endocrine disruption effects.
Benzophenone-3
is listed in the Annex VII of the Directive on cosmetics (to be replaced by the Annex VI of the
new Regulation
, soon to be enforced), which comprises the list of the
anti-UV filters
allowed in cosmetics.
Benzophenone-3
shall not be at more than 10% in
cosmetic products
.
A mention (Contains: Benzophenone-3) is mandatory on the label when the concentration is equal to, or less than 0.5% and if the substance is used only to protect the product.
Liable to prosecution
In spite of this regulation, Afssaps points out that the last evaluation of the European Scientific Committee for the Safety of Consumers (today SCCS ), issued in 2008, went to the conclusion of setting the maximum content of Benzophenone-3 in sunscreens at 6% instead of the current 10%. Nevertheless, no implementation of this conclusion has been issued as a regulation.
Further, the Agency points …
