Following this meeting, two consultations have been launched by the European Commission.

Nitrosamines and secondary amines

Nitrosamines are a class of chemical compounds, some of which are known to be carcinogenic. The possible health risks associated with the presence of nitrosamines in cosmetic products are regulated under the Cosmetics Directive (76/768/EEC). The implementation of this Directive in the market place has proven difficult as the chemical terms used in the entries of the Directive are relatively generic and allow for different interpretations among economic operators and public authorities. To address these difficulties, the SCCS has been asked to provide more exact definitions of such terms, taking account of the scientific and toxicological basis, so that it is clear to regulators which products can be considered safe, and which ones hazardous, to health.

See
• the SCCS opinion (public consultation runs until 10 February 2012)

Fragrance allergens

Allergy to fragrance ingredients is estimated to affect 1-3% of the European population and can significantly impact quality of life. In 1999, the SCCNFP, a predecessor of the current Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS), identified in its opinion on Fragrance Allergy in Consumers, 26 well-recognised fragrance allergens. These were taken up in the …