On 13 March 2023, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) launched a consultation on two harmonised classification and labelling proposals from France for 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate (HEMA) and Hydroxypropyl Methacrylate (HPMA). These consultations are open until 12 May 2023.
HEMA
2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate (CAS: 868-77-9; CE: 212-782-2; INCI: HEMA) is an ingredient listed in the Cosing, with the declared function “Nail sculpting”. It is listed in Annex III/313 of the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009, which states that its use is limited to nail products, for professionals only, and that it must be accompanied by the warning: “May cause an allergic reaction”. It is also listed in Annex VI/607-124-00-X of the CLP Regulation with the following classifications:
• Skin Irrit. 2, H315 - Causes skin irritation
• Eye Irrit. 2, H319 - Causes serious eye irritation
• Skin Sens. 1, H317 - May cause an allergic skin reaction
France proposes to classify the substance as follows.
Hazard class and Category codes, Hazard statement codes
• STOT SE 3, H335 - May cause respiratory irritation
• Skin Irrit. 2, H315 - Causes skin irritation
• Eye Irrit. 2, H319 - Causes serious eye irritation
• Resp. Sens. 1, H334 - May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled • Skin Sens. 1, H317 - May cause an allergic skin reaction
Pictogram, Signal word codes
• GHS07
• GHS08
• Dgr (Danger)