On 24 October 2024, OPSS (Office for Product Safety and Standards) launched calls for data on three groups of cosmetic ingredients: prostaglandins and their analogues, alpha and beta arbutin, and vitamin A derivatives, with the aim of having their safety assessed by SAG-CS, the UK Scientific Committee.
These calls for data are addressed to all interested parties, with the clarification that the SAG-CS (Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety) will use 70 kg as the default body weight assumption for adults in the new safety assessments.
They are open until 30 April 2025.
Prostaglandins and prostaglandin analogues
Prostaglandins and prostaglandin analogues are used in cosmetic products with the function of promoting eyelash growth. Due to their potency, intended use in the proximity of the eye and concerns raised by other scientific bodies / regulators over their safety, OPSS would like to evaluate their safety.
This applies in particular (but not exclusively) to the following substances:
• Isopropyl Cloprostenate (CAS No.157283-66-4, EC No.-)
• Bimatoprost (CAS No.155206-00-1, EC No.-)
• Ethyl tafluprostamide (CAS No.209860-87-7, EC No.-, INCI: Tafluprost)
• Norbimatoprost (CAS No.-, EC No.-)
• Methylamido dihydro noralfaprostal (CAS No.155206-01-2, EC No.-)
The situation in Europe
After a call for data in 2020 and a first safety assessment of these substances by the SCCS in 2021 which remained inconclusive, the industry submitted new data. A new mandate was therefore given to the SCCS in March 2024, with a 12-month deadline to deliver its Opinion.
