On 16 May 2022, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) launched a consultation on a harmonised classification and labelling proposal from France for the propellant Nitrous Oxide. This consultation is open until 15 July 2022.
Nitrous oxide (CAS: 10024-97-2; EC: 233-032-0; INCI: Nitrous Oxide) is a propellant listed in the CosIng.
Currently, it is not regulated by Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 and is not listed in Annex VI of the CLP Regulation.
France proposes to classify the substance as:
• Repr. 1B, H360Df - May damage the unborn child. Suspected of damaging fertility.
• STOT SE 3, H336 - May cause drowsiness or dizziness
• STOT RE 1, H372 - Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
• Ozone 1, H420 - Harms public health and the environement by destroying ozone in the upper atmosphre.
• Pictograms: GHS07, GHS08.
• Warning statement: Dgr (Danger).
A classification as CMR1B could ultimately threaten the use of the substance in cosmetic products.
The ECHA consultation is open until 15 July 2022.
Sources
• Harmonised classification and labelling consultation - Dinitrogen oxide, ECHA, 16 May 2022
• CLH report - Proposal for Harmonised Classification and Labelling - Dinitrogen oxide, ANSES (on behalf of the French MSCA), France, April 2022
