Following the mandate given by the European Commission to the SCCS in May 2021 to extend the safety assessment of aluminium compounds to other product categories than deodorants, antiperspirants, toothpastes and lipsticks already considered in a previous Opinion, the SCCS has just published its preliminary opinion. It was adopted by written procedure on 6 May 2022 and is open for comment until 25 July.
Background
In March 2020, the SCCS adopted its Final Opinion (SCCS/1613/19) supplemented by an addendum in March 2021, and concluded that the use of aluminium compounds is safe at the following equivalent aluminium concentrations up to:
• 6.25% in non-spray deodorants or non-spray antiperspirants
• 10.60% in spray deodorants or spray antiperspirants
• 2.65% in toothpaste, and
• 14% in lipstick
The Commission then considered opportune to request from industry to submit additional information on the “other product categories” and on the aggregate exposure not only from cosmetics.
For an exhaustive background information, see the articles
• Aluminium in cosmetic products: Final Opinion of the SCCS, CosmeticOBS, 7 April 2020
• Addendum to the SCCS Opinion on Aluminium: final version, CosmeticOBS, 26 April 2021
• Aluminium: new request for Opinion to the SCCS, CosmeticOBS, 17 May 2021
Opinion
1. In light of the new data provided, does the SCCS consider Aluminium compounds safe when used in cosmetic products other than deodorants, antiperspirants, lipsticks and toothpastes? In the event that the estimated exposure to Aluminium from cosmetic products is found to be of concern, SCCS is asked to recommend safe concentration limits for each category.
The SCCS considers …