Further to the warnings by the French ANSM about the safety of use of two preservatives, Phenoxyethanol and o-Phenylphenol, in cosmetic products, the European Commission sends now a request for contribution to all the stakeholders. The purpose is to gather all the scientific data, which will prepare the request of the SCCS, the Scientific Committee in command of cosmetics, which will, after studying them, publish its opinions about these two ingredients.
Text of the Call for data on ingredients: Phenoxyethanol and o-Phenylphenol
in the framework of Regulation No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on cosmetic products
1. Background
DG Health and Consumers, unit B2 Health Technology and Cosmetics, has received assessment studies submitted by the French Authorities which rose concerns about the use of Phenoxyethanol and o-Phenylphenol as preservatives in cosmetic products.
The submitted assessment studies conclude the following on the safety of:
• Phenoxyethanol: The maximum authorized concentration (currently of 1%) of Phenoxyethanol for use as a preservative should be lowered to 0.4% in cosmetic products for children less than three years. In addition, Phenoxyethanol should not be used in cosmetic products intended for their nappy area.
• o-Phenylphenol: The current maximum authorized concentration of 0.2% for the use of o-Phenylphenol as a preservative in cosmetic products is considered unsafe due to low margin of safety.
2. Action proposed by the Commission
In order to prepare requests for scientific opinions to the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) interested parties are invited to submit any relevant scientific information on the safety of Phenoxyethanol and o-Phenylphenol used as preservatives in cosmetic products and, in particular data regarding …
