The restriction request submitted to the government is part of an ongoing assessment of the effects of Octocrylene on human health and the environment under the REACH Regulation.
It is motivated by the risks already identified for the environment.
The French radio station reports that the Anses is now waiting for the government to take this request for restriction to Brussels, which it seems to be delaying doing.
The cabinet of the French Ministry for Ecological Transition has confirmed that it has received this request, and indicated that it “will submit the request to the European level to analyse all possible options, with a view to eliminating the risks associated with octocrylene. A ban, supported by France, will be one of the options studied”.

The FEBEA’s response

The Fédération des entreprises de la beauté was quick to react to this news. In a press release, it set out its three arguments in defence of this UV filter: • Octocrylene, like all other sunscreens, is regularly monitored and re-evaluated by the authorities, so there’s no need to worry about its effect on health
• There is currently no standardised method for measuring the impact of this sunscreen on the marine environment, …